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SUNY Oswego - Career Services

What can I do with a minor in peace and conflict studies?

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SUNY Oswego - Career Services

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Director of Finance & Operations, Men as Peacemakers

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Director of Student Conduct, University of Maryland Eastern Shore

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Social Worker, South Beach Psychiatric Center

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Disaster Specialist

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Healthcare Manager, Hampton Roads Health System

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Search for opportunities

  • Legal Advocate
  • Non-Profit Director
  • Trauma Specialist
  • Victim Mediator

Search for employers hiring graduates in your minor

International Affairs Employers in New York State: 723
International Affairs Employers in the U.S.: 4,569

International Business Employers in New York State: 1,655
International Business Employers in the U.S.: 22,555

Language Studies Employers in New York State: 2,226
Language Studies Employers in the U.S.: 25,421

Paralegal Studies Employers in New York State: 5,356
Paralegal Studies Employers in the U.S.: 73,700

 

Explore the numerous career fields related to your major

Counseling
Areas
  • trauma therapy and healing
  • victim support
  • community healing and restorative justice
  • refugee resettlement
Employers
  • Residential treatment facilities
  • Mobile crisis units
  • Behavioral health programs
  • Social service agencies
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Religious and pastoral organizations
  • Family planning centers
  • Adult service programs
  • Group homes
Sample occupations
  • Obtain certification as a rehabilitation counselor (CRC).
  • Obtain a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling.
  • Graduate entrance exams are required for entry into many master’s programs - GRE or GRE in Psychology are common.
  • Participate in “alternative break” trips through Community Services.
  • Obtain certification in CPR, safety and first aid. Some positions may require this.
  • Understand the government and community resources available for those in need.
  • Look for experience as a volunteer, intern or paid employee with social service or non-profit organizations.
  • Gain knowledge of group dynamics and stressors of those in need.

Humanitarian Action
Areas
  • humanitarian emergency response
  • crisis health care and social services
  • public health work related to violence
Employers
  • Community action agencies
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Private voluntary organizations
  • Faith based organizations (FBO)
  • International aid and relief organizations
  • Non-governmental Organizations (NGO)
  • Federal government agencies

Sample occupations
  • Gain skills such as presenting, grant writing and fundraising.
  • Learn to work well with people of diverse backgrounds.
  • Volunteer at social service agencies to gain experience and demonstrate interest.

Government
Areas
  • diplomacy
  • human rights protection
  • peace processes
  • post-conflict reconstruction
  • civil-military relations
  • disarmament
Employers
  • Public defenders offices
  • District attorneys
  • Civil rights organizations
  • Legal aid
  • Lobbying groups
  • Political parties
  • Campaigns: national, state, or local
  • Industrial, educational, and public interest groups
  • Polling and consulting firms
  • Advocacy organizations
  • Intergovernmental agencies

Sample occupations
  • Complete an internship with a government agency.
  • Learn local, state, and federal government job application procedures.
  • Develop a network of contacts through informational interviews and networking opportunities.
  • Acquire foreign language competency and travel experience for international positions.
  • Seek leadership roles in relevant campus organizations.
  • Become involved in student government.

Conflict resolution
Areas
  • inter-faith, inter-ethnic, and intercultural dialogue
  • mediation or dispute settlement
  • language interpreting or teaching
  • reconciliation
  • violence prevention or resolution
Employers
  • Advocacy organizations
  • Development corporations
  • Community centers
  • Local, state, and federal government
  • Political associations

Sample occupations
  • Volunteering, part-time jobs, and internships can help to gain management experience.
  • Obtain a graduate degree in a social service discipline such as social work, counseling, or psychology to increase employment opportunities.
  • Learn to communicate effectively with a wide-range of people.
  • Taking interpersonal communication and public speaking classes can help. 
  • Become involved in student government.

Development
Areas
  • international economic development
  • housing and urban development
  • microfinance and small business development
  • strengthening democratic institutions
  • sustainable agriculture
  • local development around poverty, hunger, and homelessness
Employers
  • Federal, state, and local government
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Historical restoration or preservation agencies
  • Neighborhood revitalization initiatives
  • International development organizations

Sample occupations
  • Learn another language to communicate with diverse community members or to work abroad.
  • Plan to work  with a wide array of professionals and local citizens.
  • Work with diverse populations to get exposure to multi-cultural issues. 
  • Develop excellent communication skills.

Global Threat Mitigation
Areas
  • economic and social injustice
  • climate change
  • gender exclusion 
Employers
  • Federal, state, and local government
  • Intergovernmental agencies
  • International organizations
  • United Nations
  • Law firms
  • Large corporations
Sample occupations
  • Seek international experience by studying, volunteering, or working abroad.
  • Seek cultural experiences on campus and get involved with the international student population.
  • Obtain internships or volunteer to gain valuable experience in areas of interest.
  • Participate in overseas mission trips or spend a Semester at Sea..
  • Become proficient in at least one foreign language.
  • Learn about international travel regulations and take steps towards obtaining work or study visas for various locations.
  • Plan to earn a graduate degree in international affairs, foreign policy, or other specialty areas.
  • Consider entering the PeaceCorps.
  • Become involved in student government.

 

Law
Areas
  • human rights law
  • immigration law
  • labor and employment law
  • land issues and environmental law
  • migration and human trafficking
Employers
  • District Attorney’s office
  • Attorney General’s office
  • Governor’s offices
  • State agencies
  • Boards of Education
  • Environmental compliance services companies
  • Unions
  • Special interest groups

Sample occupations
  • Show ability to work with people as well as good communication and organizational skills.
  • Prepare to attend law school.
  • Fluency in another language and familiarity with other cultures will help prepare one for this field.
  • Seek international experience by studying, volunteering, or working abroad.
  • Become involved in student government.

Business
Areas
  • human resources
  • public relations
  • contract negotiation
  • sustainability initiatives
  • corporate social responsibility
Employers
  • Educational institutions
  • Employment and staffing agencies
  • Professional employment organizations
  • Advertising agencies
  • Labor unions

Sample occupations

  • Look for leadership roles on campus and learn how to motivate individuals and groups.

  • Develop excellent research, writing, communication and organizational skills.

  • Complete an internship with a government organization in area of interest.

  • Learn to work well on a team.

  • Join related professional associations.

  • Conduct informational interviews to learn about jobs of interest and to build a network of contacts

  • Develop a wide array of skills including writing, speaking, budgeting, and grant writing.

General information and strategies

  • Identify a particular area of interest and then gain the best combination of educational preparation, experience, and skills because requirements will vary by field.
  • Develop interpersonal and organizational skills through participation in and leadership of student organizations.
  • Strong communication skills, including public speaking, are also important to achieving success in this field.
  • Learn to work effectively with a wide variety of people and to work well in a team environment.
  • Get involved in student professional associations in field of interest.
  • An undergraduate degree in sociology combined with a minor in peace and conflict studies is great preparation for graduate or professional education in sociology, law, counseling, psychology, social work, medicine, education, college student personnel, higher education administration, and other related fields.
  • Participate in “alternative break” trips through Community Services.
  • Understand the government and community resources available for those in need.
  • Look for experience as a volunteer, intern or paid employee with social service or non-profit organizations..
  • Consider entering the PeaceCorps.
  • Fluency in another language and familiarity with other cultures will help prepare one for this field.