Careers by Major - Women & Gender Studies

 

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This program is offered through the Historical Studies Department

Each Careers by Major page provides lots of ideas on various career areas, as well as how to gain related skills and experience. Useful resources and job samples are also provided.

Table of Contents 

1. Sample Occupations and Jobs
         1a. Sample Occupations
         1b. Sample Job Listings
         1c. Sample Areas of Employment
2. Program-Related Skills
3. Explore Careers & Build Networks
4. Get Experience
         4a. On-Campus
         4b. Off-Campus
5. Useful Resources & Next Steps 

 

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1. Sample Occupations and Jobs
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Below is a sample of the many types of occupations and jobs pursued by graduates of this program.

1a. Sample Occupations

 
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Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Detailed career profiles are available in the Career Centre. Some occupations require further education and experience.

  • Child Life Specialist
  • Community Worker
  • Border Service Agent
  • Community Health Promoter
  • Religious Worker
  • Social Worker
  • Human Resources Diversity Specialist
  • Support Worker
  • Volunteer Manager
  • Family Support Worker
  • Settlement & Youth Worker
  • Corporate Communications Coordinator
  • Community Service Agency Director
  • Executive Director of a Non-Profit Organization
  • Child and Youth Worker
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Event Planner
  • Librarian
  • Advertising Account Executive
  • Professor
  • Marriage and Family Therapist
  • Researcher
  • School Counsellor
  • Sociologist
  • Special Education Teacher
  • Clergy
  • Journalist
  • Editor
  • Lawyer
  • Archivist
  • Union Organizer
  • Project Manager
  • Lobbyist
  • Public Policy Analyst
  • Foreign Service Officer
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Legislative Aide
  • Educational Administrator
  • Elementary School Teacher
  • ESL Teacher
  • High School Teacher

1b. Sample Job Listings

 
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Below is a sample of delisted positions that have been posted on UofT's Career Learning Network (CLN). To access current listings, login to CLN and click on Jobs. 

  • Therapist, Associated Youth Services of Peel
  • Policy Analyst, Ontario Public Service
  • Women’s & Children’s Safety Program Coordinator, METRAC
  • Outreach and Program Assistant, Equity & Diversity Office, UTM
  • Union Organizer, Unite Here
  • International Youth Coordinator, WE
  • Human Resources Coordinator, Dell Canada
  • Student Success Coach, Office of Student Transition, UTM
  • Compliance Research and Analyst, Ministry of Labour
  • Summer Employment Counsellor, Tropicana Community Services
  • Outreach and Research Volunteer, Women’s Healthy Environments Network
  • Positive Space Engagement Assistant, Student Housing & Residence Life, UTM
  • Court Services Officer, Government of Ontario
  • Children’s Homework Club Volunteer, Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter
  • Volunteer Team Leader, Autism Ontario

1c. Sample Areas of Employment

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  • Government and community organizations
  • Educational institutions
  • Non-profit agencies
  • Religious organizations
  • Mental health facilities
  • Community centres
  • Behavioral health clinics
  • Residential care facilities
  • Corporate human resources departments

 

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2. Program-Related Skills
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Academic courses in this program provide opportunities to develop the following types of skills. Make a career counselling or an employment strategy appointment to discuss how you can demonstrate these skills to employers.

  • Communication: formulate and defend positions; write detailed research papers and summarize concepts and ideas; read and think critically; use unfamiliar materials and generate new ideas; and read and analyze texts.
  • Research: conduct literature review; evaluate ideas and research;
    generate new ideas; and gather and interpret information and data.
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving: analyze and synthesize; recognize assumptions and make inferences; create research designs; and support ideas with facts.
  • Interpersonal: understand different people and their views; understand difference and discover the intersections between racism, homophobia, sexism, classicism, and other forms of oppression; and ability to assess needs. 

 

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3. Explore Careers & Build Networks
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Career Exploration 101

Take our 15 minute online module. Gain access to UTM's career exploration programs:

Informational Interviews

Informational interviews are a great way to connect with professionals in a career area of interest and gain valuable insights about a particular career, company, or industry that would otherwise be difficult to find in books or online. Check out our tip sheet to learn more.

Alumni Profiles

Check out our Alumni Profiles page with submissions from UTM grads to find out how their experiences have affected their career direction.

Events

Attending career panels, networking events, employer info sessions, and career fairs is a great way to meet professionals and learn more about careers, companies, and industries. Login to CLN and click on Events & Workshops to see what's coming up.

Talk to Professors

Connecting with your professors can be a great way to explore the different paths a major can lead you to, as well as learn about possible opportunities for research, volunteering, or becoming a TA. Drop by during their office hours or request an appointment.

Student Organizations

Join a student club or an academic society at UTM to meet like-minded people, explore your interests, and make valuable connections. To view a list of current clubs and societies, visit the Centre for Student Engagement's website. Some organizations you may consider are:

  • UTM Women's Centre
  • Sexual Education & Peer Counselling Centre
  • Historical Studies Society at UTM
  • UTM Students' Union
  • Boss Women UTM

LinkedIn

Create a LinkedIn profile to connect with professionals in various fields, explore the career paths of UTM alumni, research employers, apply for specific positions and more. Need help? Come to the Career Centre to book a LinkedIn profile critique.

Professional Associations

There are many benefits of becoming a member of association(s), such as developing a network of contacts, learning about industry trends, accessing industry-related job postings and stating your affiliation on your resume. Some associations related to this major are:

 

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4. Get Experience
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Get some experience and exposure to the industry while being a student. This will increase your chances of finding a job after graduation, while helping you decide what area might be most suitable for you.

4a. On-Campus

 
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On-Campus Opportunities Booklet

Check out the On-Campus Opportunities booklet to view a list of some of the ways you can get valuable experience on campus.

Work Study Positions

The work study program provides eligible students with an opportunity to work on campus during the academic year and gain experience. Many departments use this program to hire UTM students during the Fall/Winter and Summer terms.

Research Opportunity Program (ROP)

UTM's Research Opportunity Program (ROP) allows undergraduate students to gain valuable research experience and earn a course credit by participating in a faculty member's research project. Courses are held during Summer and Fall/Winter terms.

Part Time and Volunteer Positions

  • Attend the annual Get Experience Fair 
  • Check out our binder with detailed information on volunteer opportunities; available in the Career Centre
  • Learn about the Co-Curricular Record (CCR), which can help you find opportunities beyond the classroom and have your skills and experiences captured on an official document

Student Organizations

Joining any student club or academic society at UTM is a great way to gain valuable skills and expand your resume. To view a list of current clubs and societies, visit the Centre for Student Engagement's website.

4b. Off-Campus

 
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Internships, Summer, Part Time and Volunteer Positions 

Full Time Positions

  • Networking is an essential element of job search today, as most jobs are not advertised. While you should still apply for positions you find online, building relationships with professionals is a proven way to access the 'hidden job market' with some of the most desirable opportunities. Attend the "Learn to Network" workshop to discover proven techniques to effectively introduce yourself and make contacts.
  • Login to CLN and click on Jobs to access current postings advertised to graduating students and recent UofT grads. Note: You must attend the "Now That I'm Graduating, What's Next?" workshop to gain access to these postings.
  • Attend the annual Get Hired: Summer and Full-Time Jobs Fair
  • Check out our list of industry-specific job boards

 

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5. Useful Resources & Next Steps
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Career Resource Library

The Career Resource Library contains information about a wide range of occupations in all industries, resume and cover letter resources, effective work search methods, graduate/professional school preparation guides and more.

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Career Planning by Year

Visit our Career Planning by Year page for ideas of important career related activities for each year. You can visit us in the Career Centre to find out more about career areas that interest you.

Additional Web Resources

Updated August 2023