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What can I do with a minor in native american studies?
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SUNY Oswego - Career Services
- Career Communities
- Major And Career Exploration
- Resumes and Cover Letters
- Networking, Personal Branding and LinkedIn
- Job and Internship Searching
- Graduate School
- Online Career Tools
- Affinity Group Resources
- Compensation Negotiation
- Events
- Graduate Outcomes
- Information for
- Resource Center
- Connect with us
View videos of professionals describing a day on the job
Thriving in Indian Country: What's in the way and how do we overcome?
Vine Deloria Jr. on Our Relationship to the Unseen
Strategy Analyst for the Global Indigenous Peoples & Local Communities Program, The Nature Conservancy
Registrar of Loans, UPenn Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
Join a student organization today
ALANA Student Leadership Conference Anthropology Club History ClubGet involved in a professional organization
National Congress of American Indians Job Listings Native American and Indigenous Studies Association American Indian Business Leaders Association for American Indian Affairs American Indian Science & Engineering Society National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association National Indian Child Care Association Native American Art Council Native American Capital Native American Financial Official Association Vision Maker Media Native American Rights Fund National Native American AIDS Prevention Center Women Empowering Women for Indian Nations American Anthropological Association American Academy of ReligionSearch for opportunities
- Bureau of Indian Affairs
- Bureau of Land Management
- Education Specialist
- Museum Educator
- Tribal Administrator
- Art Director
- Tribal Prosecutor
- Cultural Case Manager
- Public Health Specialist
Explore the numerous career fields related to your major
Education
Areas
- Higher Education
- Teaching
- Research
- Student affairs administration (e.g., multicultural programming)
- Student support services
- Information/Library science
- Primary and secondary education
- Language services
- Private tutoring
- Interpreting
- Translating
- Community education
Employers
- Universities and colleges
- International schools
- Campus cultural centers
- Support programs (e.g., Educational Advancement Program, Upward Bound)
- School and community libraries
- K-12 schools, public and private
- Federal government agencies
- Head Start programs
- Nonprofit organizations including those promoting literacy (e.g., VISTA)
- Adult education programs (e.g., those focusing on GED preparation)
- Libraries (for Native American Studies, museums)
Sample occupations
- Earn a Ph.D. in order to teach and research at four-year institutions.
- The interdisciplinary nature of Native American Studies makes it good preparation for advanced education in a variety of fields.
- Obtain a master’s degree in student affairs or library/information science to prepare for those fields.
- If interested in K-12 teaching, fulfill requirements for certification.
- This may involve a double major or a minor. Research alternative paths to certification such as Teach for America and other similar programs.
- Research certification options for teaching English (TESOL, CELTA, TEFL)
- Get involved in leadership roles on campus such as peer mentor, resident advisor, or orientation leader.
- Join related professional associations as a student member.
- Participate in international programming on campus.
- Secure strong recommendations from faculty, and maintain a high grade point average.
- Assist a professor with research or take an independent study class to develop research skills.
Advocacy/Non-Profit
Areas
- Domestic and international advocacy
- Humanitarian services
- Economic, Community, Housing Development
- Disaster/Disease relief
- HIV/AIDS advocacy
- Policy development
- Policy analysis
- Program administration
- Education
- Volunteer coordination
- Grant writing
- Program management and development
- Fundraising/Development
- Research
- Community education and outreach
- Public relations and marketing
Employers
- Community action agencies
- Labor unions
- Nonprofit organizations
- Social service agencies
- Private voluntary organizations
- Private foundations (e.g., The Boston Foundation, Lumina Foundation)
- Faith based organizations (FBO’s) and churches (e.g., Catholic Relief Services)
- Hospitals, medical centers and clinics
- International aid and relief organizations
- Non-governmental Organizations (NGO’s)
- Federal government agencies with an international focus (e.g., Peace Corps, USAID, etc.) or a focus on community assistance (e.g., AmeriCorps)
- State and local government agencies
- Special interest groups
- Cultural heritage organizations
- Research organizations
Sample occupations
- Volunteer at local social service agencies that work with Native American communities to gain experience, demonstrate interest, and build contacts in the field.
- Get involved with cultural and international events or organizations on campus.
- Take additional courses in social work, global studies, or other relevant areas.
- Develop excellent research, writing, communication, and organizational skills.
- Learn how to motivate individuals and groups.
- Learn how to write grants and gain an understanding of budgeting and fiscal management.
- Investigate term of service or service corps positions as a way to gain entry into the field.
- Research organizations’ values to find a good fit with yours.
- Consider earning a graduate degree for more job opportunities and advancement.
Human Services
Areas
- Healthcare advocacy
- Counseling
- Psychotherapy
- Mental health services
- Case management
- Social work
- Vocational/Career counseling
- Grant writing
- Program management and development
- Community relations
- Fundraising/Development
- Administration
Employers
- Mental health institutions
- Hospitals and clinics
- Residential treatment facilities
- Private and group practice
- Correctional institutions
- Federal, state, or local government:
- Department of Human Services
- Youth organizations and camps
- Nonprofit and social services organizations
- Faith-based programs
Sample occupations
- Gain essential practical experience through part time or summer jobs and internships.
- Volunteer with organizations that assist people of diverse backgrounds.
- Participate in training opportunities (e.g., suicide prevention or crisis hotline response).
- Gain a firm understanding of various Native American cultures and how culture impacts individuals and families.
- Acquire knowledge of government and community resources available for those in need.
- Research state licensure requirement in fields such as counseling, social work, and psychology.
Business & Industry
Areas
- International business
- International development
- Importing/Exporting
- Logistics
- Banking and finance
- Management
- Customer service
- Sales
- Marketing
- Advertising
- Public relations
- Labor relations
- Training and development
- Human resources
- Equity and diversity functions
- Travel and tourism
- Real Estate
- Consulting
- Agriculture economics
Employers
- Banks and financial institutions
- Insurance companies
- Retail stores
- Hotels and restaurants
- Consumer goods manufacturers
- Staffing agencies
- Consulting firms
- Public relations agencies
- Minority Business Development Centers
- Travel agencies and tour operators
- Convention and visitors’ bureaus
Sample occupations
- Double major or minor in Business or Language & World Business (MFLL).
- Gain business experience through internships or part-time and summer jobs.
- Gain leadership experience through campus organizations or professional societies.
- Understand the 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.
- When job searching, seek employers interested in hiring “any major.”
- Earn an MBA or a graduate degree in another area of interest such as accounting or finance for more advanced opportunities.
Law and Politics
Areas
- Corporate practice law
- Public interest law
- Civil law
- International law
- Tribal law
- Immigration law
- Lobbying
- Government relations
- Elected or appointed leadership
- Public policy
- Research
- Intelligence
- Campaign management
- Special interest advocacy
- Program administration
- Immigration Services
Employers
- Law firms
- Corporate legal departments
- Public defenders offices
- District attorneys
- Public interest groups (e.g., The Center for Justice and International Law)\
- Civil rights organizations
- Legal aid
- Sole practitioner
- Government agencies (e.g., Department of State, foreign service)
- Lobbying groups
Sample occupations
- Obtain a law degree (J.D.) for law positions or an advanced degree in public administration, public policy, or international relations for government positions.
- Supplement curriculum with relevant courses to prepare for law school (research and writing skills).
- Participate in activities that develop strong debate and public speaking skills such as mock trials.
- Run for office in student government or work on a political campaign.
- Get involved with the pre-law society on campus.
- Gain relevant experience through jobs or internships with law firms, government agencies, or mediation centers.
- Maintain a high grade point average and secure strong faculty recommendations.
- Prepare for and take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
Media and the Arts
Areas
- Journalism
- Creative writing
- Freelance writing
- Copy writing
- Editing
- Research and analysis
- Television
- Radio
- Media sales
- Museum work
- Arts programming
- Art sales
- Fundraising/Development
Employers
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Broadcast media companies including television and movie industry
- Radio stations
- Foreign news agencies
- Trade, professional, or consumer publications
- Internet sites marketed toward Native Americans
- Advertising agencies
- Publishing houses
- Large corporations
- Freelance
- Museums
- Galleries
- Organizations and centers dedicated to promoting
- Native visual and performing arts
Sample occupations
- Study a second field such as journalism, English, or broadcasting to prepare for a career in media.
- For positions in the arts, consider a minor in art history or music history.
- Plan to pursue a relevant graduate degree such as Museum Studies.
- Write for campus publications such as college newspapers, magazines, or department/program newsletters.
- Work at campus radio or television stations.
- Intern with a publishing house, magazine, radio or television station depending upon area of interest.
- Create a portfolio of writing samples, especially those that have been published.
- For other areas, create a website or digital portfolio to promote skills to potential employers.
- 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.
- Volunteer in local museums or galleries.
General information and strategies
- Native American Studies provides an interdisciplinary background that helps students develop analytical, critical thinking, and writing skills while gaining knowledge about the cultures, histories, and languages of Native American and Indigenous people.
- When paired with a major in another field, Native American Studies can enhance the employability of a student with a deeper understanding of cultural experiences, as many organizations value this.
- Training in this field can lead to a better appreciation of certain customers or clients.
- Students pursuing Native American Studies are excellent candidates for a number of graduate school options because of their broad liberal arts background as well as specific interests that may set them apart from other students.
- Read and stay abreast of politics and current events in regions of interest.
- Volunteer at local social service agencies that work with Native American communities to gain experience, demonstrate interest, and build contacts in the field.
- Get involved with cultural and international events or organizations on campus.
- Take additional courses in social work, global studies, or other relevant areas.
- Gain a firm understanding of various Native American cultures and how culture impacts individuals and families.
- Acquire knowledge of government and community resources available for those in need.
- Study a second field such as journalism, English, or broadcasting to prepare for a career in media.
- For positions in the arts, consider a minor in art history or music history.
- Plan to pursue a relevant graduate degree such as Museum Studies.