American Studies - What Can I Do With This Degree? Areas Government & Politics Politician/elected official Law Policy advising/analysis International affairs/relations specialist Research City/town management Regional planning Foreign service Education Teaching Public or Private (K-12) Professor Historian Librarian Coaching Higher Educ Administration
Employers
Strategies
Federal, state, & local governments Local, state, & national archives Foreign service Peace Corps
Take government-related courses Volunteer for local/national campaigns Get involved in campus political/historical organizations
Law firms Campaigns, political parties Americorps Programs (pending govt funding) Capitol Hill
Develop critical thinking and analytical skills Choose an area of American Studies to focus on and become an "expert" in that area
Elementary/High Schools Colleges/Universities Independent Educational Companies Libraries Museums
Look up public teaching requirements in your state Masters required for library science Ph.D required for college teaching Learn how to develop curriculums & workshops and to use multimedia Become an "expert" in a particular subject related to American Studies
Non-profit Archives maintenance Museums Community organizing/developing Sociological/Anthropological research Urban planning & renewal Historical Societies Curator Public interest advocacy groups Research Research organizations & think-tanks Social Work NGO's Development & Fundraising Hospital Administration Communications/Media/Journalism Culture/society reporter Broadcasting corporations Magazine/newspaper columnist Magazine/newspaper companies Editor or copy editor Publishing companies Documentary production National, local & satellite radio networks Publishing/Editing Public Television Marketing TV stations- major, commercial, local Journalism- Radio, Print, TV, etc‌ Communications Firms Filmmaking: screenwriting, Advertising or Public Relations producing, etc. Companies,
Volunteer or complete internships with nonprofit orgs in the area. Take classes in management & organizational development. See the travel/tourism section for more ideas. Write for campus publications dealing with American culture & society. Develop excellent grammar, writing, & oral communication skills Submit articles to local tourism publications. Read American Studies-related journals & publications
Business Marketing/public relations Insurance agent Customer/client services Human Resources International relations
Independent or Commercial Film Industry
for latest news and research.
Advertising/Marketing companies Communications companies Insurance companies: life/car/health Investment firms Any company that serves American clientele
Take classes focused on studying societal trends & research classes. Develop excellent computer skills.
Take business classes- management, finance, business law, marketing, computer tech. Imports/Exports Travel & Tourism Take summer & part time jobs at local tourist Tour or museum guide Historical tours attractions/historical sights. Travel writer Travel Agencies Culture and arts - promotion and Gain knowledge in hospitality, management, public sales Foreign or domestic travel publications speaking, and other related areas. Exhibit design Museums Conservationism National historical sights Park ranger General Information Think about what part of American Studies appeals to you (history, sociology, anthropology, research and reading, debate or presentation...) to help you narrow your focus to a specific area of American Studies that you would most like to work in. Take classes related to the career areas you are interested in. Complete a minor in a specific area such as business administration, political science, education, etc that applies to your career of interest. Develop related skills such as effective writing, critical analysis, research, interdisciplinary thinking, curiosity/inquisitiveness. Complete internships in areas you are interested in to gain practical experience.