What Can I Do With a Major In American Studies?
Major Information
You can do a lot with this major! American Studies majors go on to successful careers in business, academics, advocacy, politics, government, publishing, the arts, research, and much more.
All liberal arts degrees help CLA students develop their Core Career Competencies, and American Studies majors develop specific skills that are applicable to lots of different careers. These skills include:
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- In-depth knowledge of American culture and history
- Strong analysis and critical-thinking skills
- Ability to formulate clear and persuasive messages
- Listening, clarifying, questioning and responding skills
- Ability to do effective research
Interest Code: ESC
Internships & Job Search Websites
- GoldPASS
- HECUA internship program
- American Studies Association Employment and Fellowships
- Chronicle of Higher Education
- Teach for America
- USA Jobs
- Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
- Idealist (Nonprofit positions in the US and internationally)
- Public Service Careers (Check out “Why Public Service?”)
- American Alliance of Museums job board
- Job search sites from Education Minnesota
Student Groups
Professional Organizations
Graduate Programs in American Studies and Related Fields
- Chronicle of Higher Education listing of American Studies programs
- MA, History and Museum Studies - Cooperstown Graduate Program, SUNY at Oneonta
- MA, American Studies - University of Amsterdam
- Plus many more!
Career Options
Below is a small sampling of what alumni with this major have pursued, organized by the most common career fields they go into (although keep in mind that there are journalism alumni in all eight of the career fields). For more career information for journalism majors, utilize these additional resources:
- What Can I Do With This Major - Find information about common career paths, employers, and strategies for how to build experience in different career fields
- LinkedIn's Alumni Tool - Explore thousands of alumni career pathways
- GoldPASS - Explore different job, internship, and volunteer opportunities as well as career events on campus
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required