Career Information for Contemporary Studies Majors

Specific Knowledge Skills

• Analytical skills, particularly in assessing and evaluating current problems, issues and trends
• An understanding of how to apply logic and reasoning to current events and cultural issues
• The ability to integrate and synthesize complex ideas in a multi-disciplinary context
• The ability to use contemporary informational resources such as the Internet
• The skills to research and gather information for the purpose of decision making
• Communication skills and the ability to use these skills to inform and educate others
• Awareness of social issues and an ability to use this to understand and anticipate future issues
• Knowledge of the key components and effects of mass communication on society
• The application of scientific method to cultural and historical inquiry and interpretation
• An ability to apply past experiences to current and future events

  -top-

Valuable Transferable Skills

• The skills required to identify and access a wide range of relevant information and resources
• The ability to compile and organize facts and information and to comprehend and apply new and/or unfamiliar information to different situations and settings
• Skills in preparing interesting, creative and informative presentations which target diverse audiences
• The ability to develop effective reports, presentations and materials using current technology

• The ability to learn, understand and interpret information and apply knowledge to new situations
• The ability to set priorities, meet deadlines and effectively plan/manage time, data and resources
• Problem-solving skills and the ability to make well-reasoned decisions, think creatively and search for, identify and consider all sides of an issue
• Skills to effectively analyze and interpret a wide range of information and data to discuss, support and/or reject ideas, opinions, reports, theories and proposals

• Skills enabling you to work effectively as part of a team by identifying your role and contributing, through leading, teaching, motivating and/or encouraging others, to the success of the team
• An understanding of how to successfully identify, plan and contribute to the goals of a project
• The ability to oversee, supervise and/or contribute to a project from beginning to end including determining outcomes, planning details, making decisions, assigning roles and completing tasks

-top-

Some Career Options for Contemporary Studies Majors

(Additional education, training or experience may be required)

 For more career options and job descriptions, visit the following sites:

Career Cruising - www.careercruising.com. Please contact the Career Centre at 519.884.0710 ext. 4495 or careercentre@wlu.ca for the username and password.
Career Insider (Vault) - Access through the library website at www.wlu.ca/library. Click ’Find Articles and More’, click ’Databases by Title (A-Z)’ and then ’C’ - Career Insider (Vault). You need to access this resource from a Laurier computer or through the library’s remote access service.
National Occupational Classification - www.hrsdc.gc.ca/noc  

-top-
 

 Potential Employers

Additional Study

-top-

Websites