In the process of determining the rest of their lives, or at least declaring their majors, many college students have been subjected to the unfortunate question of ‘And what do you plan to do with that degree?’  Overwhelmingly, the skepticism-inducing majors are those in the schools of humanities; majors that have been historically geared toward women.  Perhaps one of the most misunderstood majors is that of women’s, gender, and sexuality (WGS) studies.  While those weighing in on your future might wrongfully assume that you lacked foresight while choosing a major, the answer to this daunting question is an opportunity to educate them about the value, advantages, and career opportunities available to your major of choice.

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For starters, why might someone consider a major in WGS to be the start of an undesirable career path?  Part of the misunderstanding may lie in the association of WGS with the humanities, which are stereotypically believed to lead to lower-paying jobs.  A belief that there are fewer humanities-related careers in general is also a factor.  In this light, what is one to surmise about WGS?  Do the negative attitudes reflect a society which sees women, alongside those who fall all along the gender and sexuality spectrums but do not identify as cisgendered or heterosexual, as inherently uninteresting and their institutional struggles as unimportant and trivial?  Though it's not possible to definitively answer such questions, it is nonetheless necessary to address them with an audience who lacks general knowledge on the topic.  By sharing the benefits and positives outcomes associated with majors and careers in WGS, society can shift its attitude towards these stereotypes.  

WGS majors and minors are applicable to a range of fields including government, education, business, media, and law.

Fortunately, despite negative stigma and general misinformation, a plethora of opportunities for those interested in WGS exist.  WGS majors and minors are applicable to a wide range of fields, including but not limited to: government, education, social advocacy groups, business and community development, media, and law.  Students who pursue a degree in WGS are prepared to confront a variety of pressing issues, including homophobia, sexism, racism, classicism, and cissexism, all of which are important focus areas when tackling the oppression that exists today.  Additionally, as awareness increases regarding the struggles that marginalized groups face, opportunities for those with WGS degrees will continue to soar.  While the history of attitudes toward WGS leaves much to be desired, students and professionals alike have the capability to make the future of WGS, and the groups they support, much brighter.