A degree in Women’s and Gender Studies (WGS) is often met with the question, “But what can you do with it?” This field of study provides a comprehensive education applicable to a wide array of professional fields. By moving beyond a single discipline, it offers a unique perspective on the world, preparing graduates for the complexities of the modern workforce. This article explores the academic foundations of a WGS degree, the skills it cultivates, and the diverse career opportunities available to its graduates.
What is a Women’s and Gender Studies Degree?
A Women’s and Gender Studies degree is an interdisciplinary field of academic inquiry that places gender at the center of analysis. It draws upon methodologies and theories from the humanities, social sciences, and arts, including history, sociology, literature, and political science. The curriculum is designed to explore how gender, as a social construct, intersects with other identity markers such as race, class, sexuality, and ethnicity to shape human experiences and social structures. Students learn how these intersections influence power dynamics and individual lives across different cultures.
Core to the WGS program is the examination of feminist theory, social justice movements, and the concept of intersectionality. Coursework covers topics like the history of gender roles, cultural representations of gender in media, the politics of sexuality, and global feminism. Through this lens, students investigate issues ranging from relationship violence and labor rights to public policy and health disparities. The goal is to provide a framework for understanding the complexities of identity and inequality.
Skills You Gain with a Women’s and Gender Studies Degree
The interdisciplinary nature of a WGS degree cultivates a set of transferable skills valued by employers. A primary skill is critical thinking, which is developed by teaching students to analyze how systems of power and privilege operate. Graduates learn to identify and question underlying assumptions in texts, data, and cultural practices, moving beyond simplistic conclusions to recognize complex patterns.
Strong communication skills are also a hallmark of the WGS major. The curriculum’s emphasis on reading complex theories, conducting research, and writing persuasive essays hones effective written communication. Students learn to articulate nuanced arguments and assess conflicting viewpoints. Oral communication is strengthened through classroom discussions, debates, and presentations, building confidence in public speaking.
WGS programs also provide training in research methodologies. Students learn how to gather, interpret, and synthesize information from a wide variety of sources, including both qualitative and quantitative data. This involves defining research problems, conducting original analysis, and presenting findings in a scholarly manner. The ability to understand the intersections of race, class, and gender provides graduates with a competency in cultural analysis, enabling them to navigate diverse social environments.
Potential Career Paths and Industries
The analytical and communication skills developed in a WGS program open doors to a broad range of career fields. Graduates are equipped for professions that value critical thinking, social awareness, and strong communication. This versatility allows them to pursue roles across the non-profit, public, and private sectors.
Advocacy and Non-Profit
The non-profit sector is a natural fit for many WGS graduates due to their understanding of social justice issues. Job titles in this area include Program Coordinator, managing initiatives focused on community health or youth development. As a Community Outreach Specialist, a graduate can build relationships and mobilize support for causes like domestic violence prevention or LGBTQ+ rights. Another role is Policy Advocate, working for organizations to research and campaign for legislative changes that address systemic inequality.
Government and Public Policy
Careers in government and public policy allow WGS majors to apply their knowledge of structural inequality to effect societal change. They are well-suited for roles such as Legislative Aide, where they research policy issues and advise elected officials. Their training is also valuable for positions like Policy Analyst in government agencies or think tanks. Furthermore, many find roles in public administration, working to ensure that government services are delivered equitably.
Education
The field of education offers numerous opportunities for WGS graduates. Some pursue careers as K-12 teachers, bringing an inclusive perspective to their classrooms and curriculum development. In higher education, graduates may work in student support services as coordinators for diversity and inclusion programs, women’s centers, or LGBTQ+ resource centers. These positions involve developing programming, advising students, and fostering a more equitable campus climate.
Business and Corporate Roles
In the corporate world, companies increasingly recognize the value of diversity and inclusion, creating new opportunities for WGS majors. Many find roles in Human Resources as Diversity and Inclusion Managers, where they develop strategies to create a more equitable workplace. Their skills are also applicable in marketing and public relations, helping companies connect with a diverse customer base. Some graduates become consultants, advising businesses on how to implement more inclusive practices.
Media and Communications
The ability to critically analyze cultural representations makes WGS graduates strong candidates for careers in media and communications. They can work as journalists, writers, or editors, producing content that offers nuanced perspectives on social issues. Their understanding of gender, race, and class helps them to avoid perpetuating stereotypes and to tell more inclusive stories. Roles in publishing or as freelance writers are also common.
Healthcare and Public Health
In the healthcare sector, a WGS background provides a unique lens for understanding how social factors impact health outcomes. Graduates can work as Patient Advocates or in community health education, ensuring diverse patient populations receive culturally competent care. Roles in public health are also a strong fit, with job titles like Health Clinic Coordinator or Program Manager for a public health department. In these positions, they can work on initiatives addressing reproductive health or health disparities among marginalized communities.
The Role of Graduate School
While a bachelor’s degree in WGS prepares graduates for many careers, some professions require or are enhanced by advanced education. Pursuing graduate school allows for deeper specialization and opens doors to leadership roles, licensed practice, and academic careers. The interdisciplinary foundation of a WGS degree provides excellent preparation for many postgraduate programs.
For those interested in providing direct clinical services, a Master of Social Work (MSW) is a common pathway, leading to careers as licensed therapists or clinical social workers. Students aiming for roles in government or high-level non-profit management often pursue a Master of Public Policy (MPP) or Master of Public Administration (MPA). A Juris Doctor (JD) is the necessary next step for those wishing to practice law in areas like civil rights or family law.
Advanced degrees are also the primary route into academia. A Ph.D. in Women’s and Gender Studies or a related discipline like sociology or history is required for those who wish to become university professors. Many universities also offer graduate certificates in WGS that can be earned alongside a Ph.D. in another field, allowing students to add a formal specialization.
How to Market Your Degree to Employers
Landing a job with a WGS degree requires effectively translating academic experience into professional qualifications. Applicants must connect the dots for a potential employer, showing how the skills learned in the classroom are directly applicable to the organization’s needs. This process begins with the resume and cover letter and continues into the interview.
On a resume, graduates should describe academic projects using action verbs that highlight transferable skills. For example, instead of just listing a senior thesis, a student could write, “Conducted original research on the impact of local policy on women’s health access, analyzing qualitative data and presenting findings to a panel of professors.” This frames academic work in terms of professional abilities like research, data analysis, and public speaking.
In cover letters and interviews, it is important to be explicit about the value of a WGS education. Graduates should be prepared to explain how their understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion makes them an asset. They can connect their ability to think critically about complex social structures to the problem-solving needs of the role. For instance, a candidate might say, “My studies have trained me to analyze issues from multiple perspectives, which I believe would be valuable in developing your community outreach programs.”