CAREER PATHS
What Can I Do With My Africana Studies Degree?
Majors in Africana studies have continued on into graduate and professional schools and built successful careers in many fields, including public affairs, law, health, government, social work, education, the visual and performing arts, and business and management. Many students planning careers in medicine, law, public policy, social work and education pursue a second major or a minor in Africana studies.
Students with interest in foreign service in Africa and the Caribbean or students who intend to acquire graduate training with specialization on Africa or the Caribbean will be well-prepared in the department. The concentration in community involvement studies prepares students to work in community-oriented, community-based agencies or in local government.
The track in education enables students with career interest in elementary-and secondary-level teaching to prepare for Maryland Teacher Certification in social studies through the UMBC Department of Education.
| Human Services Advocacy Groups, Government, Non-Profits, Hospitals | ||
| Community Service Agency Work Recreation Coordinator Family Services Specialist Child Support Case Officer Violence Prevention Educator |
Race Relations Specialist Volunteer Coordinator Activities Leader Teen Center Director Community Outreach Worker |
Social Service Administrator Eligibility Specialist Parent Educator Youth Counselor Caseworker |
| Public Policy Congress State Legislature Local Government | ||
| Congressional/Legislative Aide Legislative Research Assistant Campaign Staffer |
Committee Staff Person Legislative Correspondent Constituent Aide |
Press Secretary Communications Director |
| Policy Organizations (Issue-Oriented/Non-Profits/National Associations) | ||
| Public Opinion Interviewer Community/Field Organizer Program Developer/Coordinator Fund-Raiser/Developer/Coordinator |
Lobbyist Membership Coordinator Political Organizaer Convention Organizer |
Public Analyst Project Manager Legislative Liaison Conference Coordinator |
| Research Organizations (Issue-Oriented/Non-Profits/National Associations) | ||
| Project Assistant | Research Associate | Public Policy Analyst |
| Foundations | ||
| Aide | Researcher | Proposal Reviewer |
| Health Hospital, Insurers, Government Non-Profits (Family Planning, Substance Abuse) | ||
| Research Assistant | Medical Admissions Staff | Patient Advocate |
| Law/Corrections/Rehabilitation | ||
| Probation/Parole Officer Correctional Caseworker Investigative Assistant Customer/Immigration Officer |
Police Officer Court Appointed Advocate Intelligence Support Analyst |
Corrections Officer Legal Assistant CIA/FBI Agent |
| Government Local,State and Federal Agencies (transportation, Housing Commerce) | ||
| Population Studies Researcher Contract Administrator/Specialist Quality Assurance Specialist |
Urban/Regional Planner Researcher/Statistician Program Evaluator |
Public Affairs Officer Civil Rights Investigator Survey Analyst |
| Education High Schools, Colleges, Universities | ||
| Teacher Literacy Program Coordinator |
Admissions Counselor | Financial Aid Counselor |