Social and Cultural Studies
Welcome to the Social and Cultural Studies Interest Area. This page has been tailored to this specific interest area and its industry-related opportunities for students and alumni. Explore relevant blog posts, videos, events, and career resources.
People who are interested in Social and Cultural Studies may be interested in careers that help others, provide a service, or explore the world around them. Those who pursue careers in social and cultural studies have strong communication and listening skills, social perceptiveness, and are problem solvers.
To discuss career opportunities and how to prepare for roles in this interest area, schedule an appointment with a career advisor through Handshake.
Career Pathways
Common career pathways associated with the Social and Cultural Studies interest area include but are not limited to:
- social work
- counseling
- non-profit work
- museum studies
- city planning
Visit the Career Outcomes page to learn about post-graduation outcomes of MSU students who have received a bachelor’s degree. Search by major to find a sampling of employers, employment locations, and names of graduate/professional schools.
Majors at MSU
While major does not often equal career, it is helpful to have an understanding of majors that are commonly associated with each interest area. Review the list of majors at MSU that are associated with the Social and Cultural Studies Interest Area and learn more about majors, degrees and program requirements by visiting the Admissions website.
Gain Experience
Gaining experience outside of your degree program helps you to become career ready. Employers are looking for evidence of transferable skills, and like candidates who have work experience – whether paid or unpaid. Experiences help you to build confidence, explore interests, test out organizations and positions, and build skills while expanding your professional network.
There are a lot of great ways to gain experiences and skills. Many opportunities are available for you right at MSU. Consider the following:
- Volunteer/Community Service – at a non-profit focused on issues of interest
- Internships
- Academic Projects/Undergraduate Research
- Part-time jobs – such as at a museum or government office
- Education Abroad
- Student Organizations – Related to Social and Cultural Studies
- Engage in advocacy on a local or national campaign
- Serve on a community board
- Job shadow or intern at a law firm
Industry-Related Opportunities
To find organizations and positions of interest within Social and Cultural Studies you can utilize:
- Job Listing and Professional Resource Sites – Review industry-specific search engines.
- Handshake – More than 60,000 job postings are posted on Handshake for MSU students each year. Use a search agent to receive alerts for new employment opportunities that match your specific interests. Follow employers of interest to be updated on their events and job postings.
- Networking – The Department of Labor estimates that up to 80% of positions are filled without employer advertising. Learn more under Network and Connect.
- Professional Organizations – Join organizations related to Social and Cultural Studies and get recommendations from faculty or alumni on best fit groups.
- Social Media – Follow organizations of interest for up-to-date information on their activity. Popular outlets include LinkedIn, Twitter, Youtube, and Instagram.
