Q: What can I do with a Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies degree?

A: Anything you want!

We hear this question from students and their parents alike. Our answer is that like in any Liberal Arts major, you learn critical thinking and problem-solving skills, a specific body of knowledge—in this case about Mexican-origin and other Latina/o people in the U.S, and how to read, write, and speak clearly about complex topics. You can take these skills and apply them to a wide variety of jobs and careers.  With a Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies degree in particular, you are prepared to be an expert in a diverse society.

Graduates with expertise in multicultural studies are in demand in the fields of business, health, education and government. Our students engage in community-based learning, in writing and speaking-intensive assignments, and are actively sought by employers as well as graduate and professional schools upon graduation. Many enter the teaching profession, attend graduate school or law schools (including Cornell University, Harvard University, University of Chicago, Stanford, University of California at Berkeley, UCLA and University of Arizona), and return to work in their home communities.

Some of our recent graduates have worked in finance, urban planning, K-12 education and policy, law, community organizing, museums and arts institutions, library science and public administration.

Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies training develops transferable skills that employers value and will give you an edge:

  • Cross-cultural understanding
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Participating & speaking in groups
  • Visual & data analysis
  • Effective research skills: collecting, analyzing and interpreting data
  • Integrating knowledge from different sources and approaches
  • Conveying complex information clearly in writing and speaking.

Career Opportunities

The skills and abilities developed through a major in Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies serves as the building blocks for a wide range of occupations and career paths such as:

  • Public Policy & Research
  • Urban Planning
  • Education & Education Policy
  • Business and Finance
  • Media
  • Film & Television
  • Human Resources
  • Marketing
  • Law
  • Politics
  • Family Therapy
  • Social Work
  • Non-Profit Organizations
  • Research & Development
  • Design
  • Library Science