General Career Information

• Career Opportunities: The major in Black Studies can lead to a variety of opportunities for employment and advanced study. Black Studies graduates can work in health services, government, social work, law, public affairs, education, and the fine and performing arts.

• Skills & Knowledge Developed in this field

  Cultural Sensitivity

  • Possessing a multicultural mindest
  • Working with competing notions and ideas
  • Understanding society through culture
  • Incorporating interdisciplinary methods
  • Examining the relationship of historical, economic and political forces
  • Understanding the practical significance of academic experiences
  • Developing appreciation for racial and class differences and perspectives

  Communication

  • Writing clearly and effectively
  • Reading for comprehension
  • Speaking clearly and effectively
  • Describing and evaluating issues/problems/events
  • Expressing ideas through several media (e.g. film, music)
  • Listening to others
  • Challenging conventional ideas
  • Conveying ideas systematically
  • Explaining complex concepts
  • Communicating between cultures

  Project Development, Analysis, & Research

  • Identifying research topics
  • Gathering information
  • Assessing needs and interests
  • Generating ideas
  • Identifying resources
  • Synthesizing
  • Developing sound research designs
  • Analyzing and evaluating data
  • Seeing relationships between factors
  • Translating theory into action
  • Working with community groups
  • Solving problems & thinking critically

  Interpersonal Relations

  • Collaborating as part of a team
  • Understanding cultural diversity
  • Awareness of gender and race
  • Clarifying others' thoughts and ideas
  • Determining the needs of others
  • Acknowledging value systems
  • Adapting to other cultures
  • Listening to other cultures
  • Listening carefully
  • Interviewing non-judgementally