What can I do with a minor in african/african-american studies?

Search for opportunities

  • Teacher/Professor
  • Student Affairs Professional
  • Community Urban Planner
  • Public Affairs Professional
  • Equity & Diversity Associate
  • Researcher
  • Employment Counselor
  • Program Coordinator
  • Family/Child Advocate
  • Acting Executive Director, Program Director, Fundraising
  • Case Manager
  • Juvenile Case Manager
  • Mediator
  • Journalist
  • Curator

Search for employers hiring graduates in your minor

Employers in NY: 1,695
Employers in US: 24,317

 

Explore the numerous career fields related to your major

Education
Areas
  • Teaching
  • Research
  • Student support services
  • Student affairs
  • Multicultural programming
  • Administration
  • Information/Library science
Employers
  • Universities and colleges
  • Campus cultural centers
  • Support programs (e.g., Educational Advancement Program,Upward Bound School and community libraries)
  • Community organizations
Sample occupations
  • Earn a doctorate degree for teaching and research at four-year institutions.
  • Obtain a master’s degree for positions in student affairs administration or library/information science.
  • Seek leadership roles on campus such as Peer Mentor, Resident Advisor, or Orientation Leader.
  • Join related professional associations as a student member.
  • Get involved with multicultural programming boards.
  • Volunteer to assist a professor with research or take an independent study class.
  • Develop strong communication and public speaking skills.
  • Secure strong recommendations from faculty and maintain a high GPA to gain admittance to graduate school.
Human Services
Areas
  • Counseling/Therapy
  • Mental health services
  • Case management
  • Rehabilitation
  • Vocational training
  • Crisis services
  • Programming
  • Community relations and outreach
  • Fundraising/Development
  • Administration
Employers
  • Mental health institutions
  • Hospitals and clinics
  • Residential treatment facilities
  • Private and group practice
  • Correctional institutions
  • Federal, state, or local government
  • Organizations that aid minorities, immigrants, and refugees or focus on cultural issues
  • Youth organizations and camps (e.g., YMCA, Boys and Girls Club)
  • Nonprofit and social services organizations (e.g., United Way, Red Cross, Goodwill Industries, Salvation Army)
  • Immigrant and refugee service providers
Sample occupations
  • Supplement curriculum with courses in psychology, social work, or child and family studies. Consider a double major or minor.
  • Obtain a graduate degree in psychology, counseling, or social work to be able to provide therapy.
  • Gain experience through volunteer opportunities, internships, and/or part-time jobs.
  • Develop multicultural competence.
  • Volunteer with organizations that assist people of diverse backgrounds, such as ones providing services to refugees and immigrants.
  • Participate in training opportunities (e.g., suicide prevention or crisis hotline response.)
  • Learn to work well with different types of people and gain experience working with diverse clientele.
  • Acquire knowledge of government and community resources available for those in need.
Advocacy
Areas
  • Domestic and international advocacy
  • Humanitarian services
  • Economic, Community, Housing Development
  • Disaster/Disease relief
  • HIV/AIDS advocacy
  • Policy development
  • Program administration
  • Education
  • Volunteer coordination
  • Grant writing
  • Fundraising/Development
Employers
  • Organizations committed to racial and civil rights (e.g., NAACP, National Action Network, 100 Black Men)
  • Community action agencies
  • Nonprofit organizations (e.g., National Black Business Council)
  • Private voluntary organizations
  • Faith based organizations and churches
  • International aid and relief organizations
  • Non-governmental Organizations (e.g., Action Aid, Oxfam, International Red Cross)
  • State and local government agencies
  • Federal government agencies with an international focus (e.g. Peace Corps, USAID, Foreign Services)
  • Federal government agencies with a community assistance focus (e.g. Housing and Urban Development)
  • Department of Health and Human Services
Sample occupations
  • Volunteer at relevant local social service agencies to gain experience and demonstrate interest.
  • Participate in campus “alternative break” trips or church-led mission trips.
  • Develop excellent research, writing, communication, and organizational skills.
  • Gain leadership roles in campus organizations.
  • Plan to study abroad or volunteer.
  • Seek cultural experiences on campus.
  • Earn a relevant graduate degree to prepare for this work.
Business/Industry
Areas
  • Training and development
  • Human resources
  • Equity and diversity functions
  • Management
  • Sales
  • Customer service
  • Marketing
  • Advertising
  • Public relations
  • Consulting
Employers

Public and private corporations in various industries:

  • Banks and financial institutions
  • Insurance companies
  • Retail stores
  • Hotels and restaurants
  • Consumer goods manufacturers
  • Businesses targeting black clientele
  • Consulting firms
  • Marketing companies
  • Public relations agencies
Sample occupations
  • Double major or minor in business.
  • Gain business experience through internships and/or part-time jobs.
  • Join campus organizations or professional societies and seek leadership roles.
  • Understand the top skills employers desire and be prepared to demonstrate them, such as communication (oral and written), computer, interpersonal, leadership, and teamwork.
  • Conduct informational interviews with professionals to learn more about career fields.
  • Be willing to start in a management-trainee program or other entry-level positions.
  • Earn an MBA or a graduate degree in another area of interest for greater opportunities.
Communication/Writing
Areas
  • Writing
  • Journalism
  • Editing
  • Publishing
  • Curatorship
  • Exhibition design
Employers
  • Newspapers, magazines, websites
  • Broadcast media companies
  • Trade, professional, or consumer publications
  • Publications and internet sites
  • Advertising agencies
  • Publishing houses
  • Large corporations
  • Self-employment/freelance
  • Museums and galleries
Sample occupations
  • Take courses in English, journalism, and/or communications.
  • Consider a double major or minor.
  • Write for campus publications such as college newspapers, magazines, or department/program newsletters.
  • Volunteer to assist or tutor students in a writing center.
  • Intern with a publishing house, magazine, or other relevant organizations.
  • Create a portfolio of writing samples, especially those that have been published.
  • Seek opportunities for recognition and networking through writing contests and freelance writing submissions.
  • Become familiar with the proposal and submission process involved in freelance writing.
  • Obtain a graduate degree for museum work.
Law & Politics
Areas
  • Law
  • Lobbying
  • Government relations
  • Elected or appointed leadership
  • Public policy
  • Research
  • Intelligence
  • Campaign management
  • Special interest advocacy
  • Immigration services
  • Program administration
Employers
  • Law firms
  • Corporate legal departments
  • Public defender offices
  • District attorneys
  • Public interest groups
  • Legal aid
  • Sole practitioner
  • Government agencies
  • Lobbying groups
Sample occupations
  • Obtain a J.D. for law positions or an advanced degree in political science, public administration, or public policy for government positions.
  • Supplement curriculum with relevant courses to prepare for law school.
  • Consider a double major or minor in areas such as economics, political science, or history.
  • Maintain a high GPA and secure strong faculty recommendations.
  • Participate in activities that develop strong debate and public speaking skills such as mock trial.
  • Gain relevant experience through jobs or internships with law firms, government agencies, or mediation centers.
  • Consider studying abroad for international experience.

General information and strategies

  • An understanding of multiculturalism is valued by employers in industries such as education, government, and business.
  • Consider obtaining a double major or minor in another area to demonstrate specialized interests and increase your job prospects.
  • Some students may choose to study Africana Studies because they enjoy the subject but wish to pursue careers requiring “any major.” In this scenario, it is critical to develop skills relevant to targeted field through internships, part-time or summer jobs, or volunteer experiences.
  • Find opportunities to get involved in campus organizations and activities related to multiculturalism and diversity.
  • Seek leadership roles on programming boards or join minority mentoring programs.
  • Participate in campus “alternative break” trips or church-led mission trips.
  • Volunteer with organizations that assist people of diverse backgrounds, such as ones providing services to refugees and immigrants.