Career Outlook for Individuals with a Cultural Studies Degree
Career News January 26, 2016A degree program in Cultural studies is meant to prepare students to work with people from diverse backgrounds. So, if you would like to learn more about this career path, continue reading.
Information on Cultural Studies Degree Program
Basically, a degree program in Cultural studies equips students with knowledge on the nature of culture and how it affects people’s daily lives. After graduating, students have the option of either seeking for employment or they may choose to further their studies to a graduate level.
| Career | Cultural studies instructors | Community outreach managers | Adult literacy, GED teacher or Remedial education |
| Education requirements | Master’s degree | Bachelor’s degree | Bachelor’s degree |
| Job growth rate | 19% for college and university instructors | 21% for social and community service managers | 9% |
| Average annual salary | $66,770 | $61,160 | $51,100 |
Career Choices
After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Cultural studies, one can seek employment in several career choices. Some of these professions include cultural practices, religion, language and history.
Cultural Studies Instructor
As the name suggests, cultural study instructors teach students about diverse cultural practices, religion, history and how one should approach different people in the world based on their background. Cultural study teachers are also supposed to be enthusiastic about cultures; as in most times, you will have to look at every culture in the world at an academic perspective.
In addition, cultural teachers lecture students on topics such as gender studies, cross cultural relations, race issues and other cultural related topics. The job is mostly found in post secondary colleges and universities, although at the higher institutions of learning, an instructor is generally expected to have at least a Master’s degree in order to get a job. In some Universities, you may not get a job as a full-time lecturer if you don’t have a doctorate degree.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that jobs for cultural study instructors will grow at an average of 19% within the next seven years (2022). On the other hand, the average earning for instructors specializing in area of ethnic and cultural studies were estimated to earn an average annual salary of $66,770 in 2013.
Community Outreach Managers
They manage outreach programs such as youth intervention work, skill building workshops or in campaigns for environmental awareness. The job market for these people hugely inclines towards nonprofit organizations, advocacy organizations or civic engagement organizations. The most important skills in this profession are the ability to manage the program budget and being good at directing others in their work. The average annual salary is $62,740 while their career is expected to grow at an average rate of 10% from 2012 – 2022.
Adult Literacy Remedial Education and GED Education
The adult literacy teachers and remedial education teachers instruct students on basic self-development skills before they can move on to high school or General Equivalency Diplomas. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job growth rate in these three careers is likely to grow at an average rate of 9% within the next few years (2012-2022). On the other hand, the average salary in this profession was $51,100 in 2013, according to the BLS.
