Careers In Gender Studies

Few facts first on Gender Studies

 

Till date, there is still a 32.0% average gender gap that remains to be closed. Across the four sub-indexes, on average, the largest gender disparity is on Political Empowerment, which today maintains a gap of 77.1%. The Economic Participation and Opportunity gap are the second-largest at 41.9%, while the Educational Attainment and Health and Survival gaps are significantly lower at 4.4% and 4.6%, respectively. Among them, on average, only the Economic Participation and Opportunity gap has slightly reduced since last year.

 

When it comes to political and economic leadership, the world still has a long way to go. Across Women hold just 34% of managerial positions across the countries where data is available, and less than 7% in the four worst-performing countries (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Pakistan). However, there are bright spots, where significant progress has been achieved. Full parity on this indicator is already a reality in five countries (Bahamas, Colombia, Jamaica, Lao PDR, and the Philippines); and in another 19 countries, there are at least 40% of women in managerial positions.

 

With the rapid changes underway in today’s labor markets, the analysis this year also took a look at gender gaps in Artificial Intelligence (AI), a critical in-demand skillset of the future. Based on collaboration with LinkedIn, we find that only 22% of AI professionals globally are female, compared to 78% who are male. This accounts for a gender gap of 72%, which has remained constant over the last years and does not at present indicate a positive future trend. The implications of this finding are wide-ranging and require urgent action.

 

The most gender-equal country to date is Iceland. It has closed over 85% of its overall gender gap. Iceland is followed by Norway (83.5%), Sweden and Finland (82.2%). Although dominated by Nordic countries, the top ten also features a Latin American country (Nicaragua, 5th), two Sub-Saharan African Countries (Rwanda, 6th, and Namibia, 10th) and a country from East Asia (Philippines (8th). The top ten is completed by New Zealand (7th) and Ireland (9th). Western Europe is, on average, the region with the highest level of gender parity (75.8%). North America (72.5%) is second and Latin America (70.8%) is third. They are followed by Eastern Europe and Central Asia (70.7%), East Asia and the Pacific (68.3%), Sub-Saharan Africa (66.3%), South Asia (65.8%) and the Middle East and North Africa (60.2%).

 

Source: The Global Gender Gap Report 2018

 

What to do with your gender studies degree?

 

Gender studies encourages students to examine the role of gender in society and how it interacts with other forms of difference including Indigenous and racialized identities, class, sexuality, ability, age, etc. This important social justice perspective and the confidence you’ll gain pursuing a gender studies degree will prepare you for success in whatever path you choose.

 

Many employers are looking for people with a strong understanding of diversity and equity and who are skilled in working with diverse groups of people. The skills you’ll gain in group facilitation, research, public speaking, critical thinking, persuasive writing and understanding complex concepts, and their inter-relationships will make you an asset to any workplace.

 

Gender studies graduates work in various sectors of the job market including government, education, health, law, social services, arts, communications and media, marketing and non-profit and social justice organizations.

 

Top 30 institutions for pursuing Gender Studies in the USA

 

  • Harvard University
  • Yale University
  • Pomona College
  • Amherst College
  • Williams College
  • Swarthmore College
  • Middlebury College
  • Bowdoin College
  • Wellesley College
  • Vanderbilt University
  • Dartmouth College
  • Haverford College
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • University Of PENNSYLVANIA
  • Vassar College
  • Stanford University
  • Carleton College
  • Hamilton College
  • Claremont Mckenna College
  • University Of NOTRE DAME
  • Colgate University
  • Smith College
  • Brown University
  • Northwestern University
  • Rice University
  • Colby College
  • Emory University
  • University Of California, Berkeley
  • Macalester College
  • Georgetown University

 

Top Universities for Gender Studies in UK and Europe

 

UK

 

  • University of Oxford
  • University of Cambridge
  • London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
  • SOAS University of London
  • University of Sussex
  • University of Leeds
  • University of Manchester
  • University of York
  • University of Strathclyde
  • University of Edinburgh

 

Europe

 

  • Utrecht University
  • University of Oslo
  • Lund University
  • Charles University in Prague
  • UniversityCollege Cork (UCC)
  • Uppsala University
  • Linkoping University

 

Career Options for Gender Studies Graduates

 

  • Artist
  • Filmmaker
  • Communications Officer
  • Counsellor
  • Cultural programs coordinator
  • Diversity officer
  • HR coordinator
  • International development
  • Journalist
  • Legal professional
  • Librarian/archivist
  • Midwife
  • Outreach worker
  • Program or project manager
  • Public policy analyst
  • Research consultant
  • Sexual health, inclusion, anti-racism, sexualized violence educator
  • Social media manager
  • Student services
  • Teacher/instructor
  • Volunteer coordinator

 

Additional education and training may be required

 

Possible prospects

 

Against this backdrop, it is easily understood that industries across the world are looking for addressing gender gaps and those qualify with the insights and strategies of gender equality will certainly be in demand.

 

The knowledge from gender studies and emancipation research is going to be extremely valuable to the organizations seeking to develop and/or critically reflect upon policies to address gender equality.

 

Academic Careers

 

The profile of organizations and job descriptions that students can explore after the study programme is huge. The most popular careers are:

 

  • Pursuing an academic career
  • Working in the educational sector
  • Having one of many diverse careers in a variety of non-profit organizations
  • Becoming an independent entrepreneur

 

Masters in Gender Studies mostly indicate an academic career in the field. However, the programme may also boost a research-driven profession. This includes working as a PhD candidate at Institutes for Cultural and Gender Studies.

 

Industry Careers

 

A gender study programme essentially involves connections with a wide set of national and global organizations within and outside academia. This ensures a diversity of professional opportunities to the students.

 

After completing graduation in gender studies, one will be considered a gender expert with a burgeoning area of work ahead. Graduates will get job opportunities in global non-profit organizations that focus on gender and ethnicity.

 

These organizations include –

 

  • National and international archives,
  • Documentation centres
  • Platforms like -Atria, IHLIA, ATGENDER) women’s associations (Mama Cash, Women on Waves, European Women’s Lobby, WO=MEN)
  • NGOs and organization like UNICEF, WHO
  • Organizations relating to migration and refugees (Pharos, Zami, Tiye International) Governmental organizations (ministries related to cultural affairs, education, and equality) Arts & media sector (national/regional newspapers, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, exhibitions such as Yes Naturally)
  • Institutions that promote expertise in the field of gender, diversity, policy and culture (Atria, Movisie)

 

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