Career Information for Contemporary Studies Majors

It is important to understand that employers hire people, not degrees. The skills and knowledge you develop as a result of your education, as well as in your work and community activities, have the greatest impact on hiring decisions. Listed below are some specific knowledge and transferable skills you will acquire as a result of your university education and your focus on Contemporary Studies.


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


Information-gathering and Communication 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
 
Thinking, Planning and Organizational Skills
  • 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
Teamwork and Management Skills
  • 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)

Public Information Officer
Public Relations Rep
Merchandiser/Buyer
Cultural Affairs Co-ordinator
Staff Recruiter
Media Business Co-ordinator
Documentary Researcher
Communications Staff
Community Relations Specialist
Brand Manager/Developer
Account Executive
Policy Analyst/Developer
Media Relations Specialist
Media Consultant
Secondary School Teacher
Development Co-ordinator
Project Co-ordinator
Corporate Trainer
Cultural Interpreter
Consumer Advocate
Human Resource Administrator
Hotel Management
Conference Organizer
Media Buyer/Planner
Fundraiser
Public Affairs Specialist
Marketing Specialist
Associate Producer (TV)
Events Planner
Wedding Planner
Government Officer
Heritage Researcher
Community Developer
Immigration Officer
Promotions Manager
Primary School Teacher
Development/Aid Worker
Urban/City Planner
Environmental Spokesperson
Customer Service Rep
Lawyer
Travel Agent/Tourism
Sales/Service Representative
Retail Sales Supervisor
Management Trainee

 Potential Employers

Marketing Firms/Departments Public Relations Firms Government Agencies/Offices
News Media Real Estate Developers Tourism Agencies/Departments
Political Parties Convention Centres Non-Profit Organizations
Educationl Institutions Advertising Agencies Communications Departments
Chambers of Commerce Re-settlement Ofiices Hotel/Hospitality

 

Additional Study

Public Administration Education City Planning Business
Community Development Journalism Consumer Studies Marketing
International Relations Broadcasting Fundraising Law

-top-

 

Websites 

 

 

 

© 2010 Wilfrid Laurier University

Powered by Orbis Career Portal Professional v2