The Master of Arts in Cultural Studies degree provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in three areas:
- Professional careers in community-based arts, culture, advocacy, education, and social service organizations
- Freelance, practice-based work
- Further academic study in the interdisciplinary arts, humanities, and social sciences
The Cultural Studies program provides students with a rich toolkit of skills and vital network of community relationships to enhance their future careers. Students are encouraged to draw from their own strengths and experiences to develop a career path unique to their passions and interests.
Cultural Studies graduates work in a variety of non-profit and for-profit arenas. Job titles include:
Cultural Researcher, Documentary Filmmaker, Program Manager, Program Developer, Media Commentator, Museum Administrator, Educator, Artist, Social Advocate, Cultural Trainer, Community Outreach Coordinator, and Executive Director
Read about some of our alumni, where they work now, and how the MA in Cultural Studies program has contributed to their career success.
Resources for Current Students
The IAS Graduate Office is available to assist students in locating career opportunities related to Cultural Studies and their particular areas of interest. To discuss options or schedule an appointment, contact Community Relations Manager Lisa Olason by email or phone: (425) 352-3136.
UW Career Resources
The UW career system offers numerous resources, many of which are graduate-specific:
UW Bothell Career Center - Our campus career center provides a variety of job-search services, including workshops on resume and cover letter writing and interviewing, individual advising sessions, employer information, and career fairs. Students are encouraged to take advantage of these free services while enrolled in the program. - Grad Students web page - The UW Seattle Career Center hosts a graduate student webpage featuring a variety of resources for all UW graduate students. Particularly helpful is the Strategies for Success series.
- Grad Student Newsletter - Sign up to receive a monthly newsletter featuring upcoming events and workshops.
- GradStudentJobs listserv - Sign up to receive periodic emails about internships and jobs suited specifically for graduate-level students.
- Simpson Center for the Humanities - Sign up to receive a weekly events email offering a broad range of opportunities to enhance student learning and professional development.
- Husky Jobs - The UW's online job and internship search system - FREE to currently enrolled UW students.
- UW Work Study jobs - All UW Work Study positions may be located through this centralized website. Note: Students must pre-qualify for this type of financial aid.
- Husky Career Network - The UW Alumni Association offers current students complementary access to a searchable nationwide database of alumni volunteers offering networking referrals and information about their field. Husky Career Network lists more than 5,000 graduates who are willing to provide information on their industries, organizations, and job functions, to discuss their own career paths, and to offer suggestions to students and fellow alums considering similar careers or career transitions.
Academic Resources
The following resources are identified as useful gateways to academic opportunities:
- Call for Papers - This website is provided by the Department of English at the University of Pennsylvania as a courtesy to the academic community. CFP's are posted by category.
- H-Net Academic Announcements - Search for academic conferences, calls for papers, and programs that may be of interest.
- Association for Cultural Studies - Find out about Cultural Studies conferences worldwide! Other resources may be accessed by ACS registered members.
- Conference Paper Guides - Published by the Writing Center Staff at Claremont Graduate University, this resource offers helpful tips on writing conference papers.
PhD Resources
For those interested in further academic study, these resources address the PhD discernment process and provide advice on searching and applying for doctoral programs:
- Survey on Doctoral Education and Career Preparation – This is a national survey of 4,000 doctoral students intended to provide a snapshot of their experiences and goals, as well as advice for prospective doctoral students.
- "PhD Information Session and Panel Discussion" – IAS Graduate Programs hosted this event in 2010. A DVD recording is available in the Graduate Office for check out. To reserve a copy of the DVD, contact Lisa.
Resources for Cultural Studies Alumni
UW Resources
The UW Bothell Career Center offers a variety of services to help alumni explore 
options, build skills, and connect with employers. Throughout the academic year, the UW Bothell Career Center and UW Seattle Career Center offer numerous workshops and events to support alumni in their career journeys. The majority of services are available to alumni free of charge - including access to HuskyJobs, the UW's online job and internship database. Free career counseling appointments are available to new alumni for one quarter post-graduation. After this period, there is a nominal fee for career counseling appointments.
Cultural Studies alumni may join The UW Alumni Association to access a variety of career support options, including Husky Career Network, a searchable nationwide database of alumni volunteers offering networking referrals and information about their field.
Community Resources
The following community-based resources are recommended as starting points for career discernment, professional development, networking, and job opportunties: