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Humanities & Western Civilization

What can I do with a major in

 Humanities & Western
Civilization

The Program offers the Bachelor of Arts (B.A) degree. The HWC major is an interdisciplinary program that gives you the freedom to create a course of study uniquely shaped to your interests. HWC offers intensive faculty advising and individualized curriculum planning for students in the program. You can choose an emphasis in humanities, in humanities with literature, or in Western Civilization. If you are an HWC major, you begin by identifying your interests in areas such as philosophy, religion, history, theatre, literature, women's studies, and the arts. Your major might combine courses to focus on such interdisciplinary topics as peace, humor, or hunger. Popular courses such as the Masterpieces of World Literature series, the Biography of a City series, and Science, Technology, and Society are offered, along with many others.


Humanities & Western Civilization majors develop the following skills:


Communication & Analyzing:
Synthesizing themes, comparing/contrasting ideas, using theoretical approaches, understanding components of complex problems, offering diverse perspectives, reading critically

Cross-Cultural Understanding and Interpersonal Relations: Understanding and interpreting other cultures/beliefs, examining problems from a variety of perspectives, honing sensitivity to others' viewpoints, acknowledging value systems, collaborating

Research: Working with original sources in many fields, gathering information, designing instruments, organizing information, summarizing ideas

Depending on your desired career path, additional skills may need to be developed.  Make an appointment with a career consultant to design your individual career development plan.

Build skills Beyond the Classroom

  • Conduct an informational interview with someone working in this area of interest
  • Find volunteer work in a related area
  • Find part-time employment in a similar area
  • Job shadow someone working in the field
  • Join related clubs, professional associations, activities, and organizations
  • Obtain an internship
  • Read professional journals in the field
  • Work with a mentor or alum.  Contact the Hawk to Hawk program at the KU Alumni Center.
 

Internship Websites


Employment Websites


Career Planning and Resources


Professional Associations

Sample Careers for Humanities & Western Civilization Majors

Business

Skills in communication, organization, and problem solving make HWC majors well suited for:

Career Options
Accountant
Actuary
Advertising Executive
Consultant
Fundraiser
Labor Relations Manager
Lobbyist
Manager
Public Relations Manager
Sales Representative
Systems Analyst

Potential Employers

Accounting Firms

Advertising Agencies

Consulting Firms

Insurance Companies

Labor Unions

Law Firms

Political Campaigns

Public Relations Firms


Radio/Television/Film/Journalism

Skills in understanding of complex issues make HWC majors well suited for:

Career Options
Film Researcher/Copywriter
Freelance Writer
Publisher
Radio/Television Researcher
Research Editor

Potential Employers
Book/Magazine Publishers
Radio/Film/Television Industry
University/Commercial Presses

Education

Skills in understanding make HWC majors well suited for:

Career Options
Administrative Staff
Alumni Affairs Coordinator
Art Educator/Historian
College Professor
Computer Scientist
Financial Aid Staff
Library Scientist
Research Assistant
Secondary Education Teacher
Teaching Assistant

Potential Employers
College/Universities
K-12 Schools
Public/Private Schools
 

Government

Skills in cross-cultural understanding make HWC majors well suited for:

Career Options

Affirmative Action Manager
Congressional Positions
Foreign Service Officer
Intelligence Work
Legislative Aide
Policy Analyst
United Nations Worker

Potential Employers
Federal Government Agencies

Local/State Agencies

Medicine

Skills in communication and analyzing make HWC majors well suited for:

Career Options

Bioethicist
Hospital Administrator
Hospice Worker
Intensive Care Unit Staff
Neonatal Nursery Worker

Physician
Specialist


Potential Employers
Adult Care Centers
Hospice Centers
Hospitals
Nursing Care Centers
Senior Living Facilities

Law

Skills in critical thinking make HWC majors well suited for:

Career Options
Human Rights Advocate
Lawyer
Legal Researcher
Paralegal
Police Officer
Prison Administrator

Potential Employers
Corporations
Government Agencies
Law Firms
Non-Profit Organizations

 For information on these occupations

About Us
University Career Center
The University of Kansas
110 Burge Union
1601 Irving Hill Road • Lawrence, KS 66045
(785) 864-3624 • ucc@ku.edu
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