Gender studies can transform the way students see the world and themselves in it, opening up possibilities and opportunities of which they would never have dreamed.  We in the Gender Studies program at EOU believe that education is an end unto to itself, that learning is invaluable in any form.  We also acknowledge that we continue to live in a goal-oriented society in which success is often dictated by marketable skills. To this end we want to provide students with some answers to the question: "What can you do with a gender studies minor?" and some guidance about why selecting the program can be a powerful career decision in your life.

"What can you do with a degree in Gender Studies?" The implication is that there should be some neat job that lines up with each major in order for the program to be worthwhile. The fact is, any faculty member would be hard pressed to answer that question with specific job descriptions for psychology,  sociology, history, English, anthropology, philosophy, or most other majors. If you want to be fairly sure there is a specific job awaiting when you graduate, engineering, nursing, or maybe speech and hearing sciences are likely to be a better bet. But if these are not your cup of tea, what do you do?

Most degrees that a university offers are liberal arts degrees meant largely to develop students' critical thinking, speaking, and writing skills while providing foundational training in the rudimentary research methods of the field. Gender Studies offers a strong version of all these skills with the added plus of an interdisciplinary perspectives. 

A minor in Gender Studies not only requires students to research and read, answer test questions and write papers; it requires students to challenge the status quo-including their own assumptions. While this extra level of analysis is also part of other programs, it is possible in traditional programs to graduate without substantially challenging cultural beliefs and practices around issues such as race, gender, class, or ability. Such questioning is at the heart of Gender Studies. 

This important dimension of analysis helps students develop stronger critical thinking skills and to do so within an interdisciplinary environment. In addition, Gender Studies has been dedicated to helping students develop their speaking, writing, computer, and web skills-all of which are important for jobs of any level of responsibility.  With such strong skills, what CAN'T you do with a degree in Gender Studies would be an easier question to answer. 
 

If this did not convince you and you need some concrete data, many students combine their work in gender studies with majors in business, education, health sciences, anthropology/sociology, or professions specifically helping women, children, and families. Businesses need managers and executives who appreciate issues of diversity and understand the ramifications of discrimination and sexual harassment. Because gender studies courses strengthen skills in critical thinking and communication, they are especially good background for law and education. Because gender studies courses are student-centered, they foster and encourage leadership skills. 
 
 

The proliferation of Gender/Women's Studies Ph.D. programs over the past 25 years speaks to the dynamic nature of Gender/Women's Studies as a field.  Not only are more universities starting graduate programs in Gender/Women's Studies, but we are also reaching a critical mass of graduates who are beginning to enter the academy. 

There is an annotated list of Gender/Women's Studies Programs, Departments, and Research Centers indicating those offering graduate programs, degrees, or certificates.  The URL for the listing is www.umbc.edu/wmst/programs.html.  The listing has almost 700 entries from all over the world--keep in mind that the only programs listed are those that have a web site/page.