Native American Studies Minor

Career Areas

• Higher Education
• Teaching
• Research
• Student affairs administration (e.g., multicultural programming)
• Student support services
• Information/Library science
• Primary and secondary education
• Language services
• Private tutoring
• Interpreting
• Translating
• Community education

Employers

• Universities and colleges
• International schools
• Campus cultural centers
• Support programs (e.g., Educational Advancement Program, Upward Bound)
• School and community libraries
• K-12 schools, public and private
• Federal government agencies
• Head Start programs
• Nonprofit organizations including those promoting literacy (e.g., VISTA)
• Adult education programs (e.g., those focusing on GED preparation)
• Libraries (for Native American Studies, museums)

General Information

• Earn a Ph.D. in order to teach and research at four-year institutions.
• The interdisciplinary nature of Native American Studies makes it good preparation for advanced education in a variety of fields.
• Obtain a master’s degree in student affairs or library/information science to prepare for those fields.
• If interested in K-12 teaching, fulfill requirements for certification. This may involve a double major or a minor. Research alternative paths to certification such as Teach for America and other similar programs.
• Research certification options for teaching English (TESOL, CELTA, TEFL).
• Get involved in leadership roles on campus such as peer mentor, resident advisor, or orientation leader.
• Join related professional associations as a student member.
• Participate in international programming on campus.
• Secure strong recommendations from faculty, and maintain a high grade point average.
• Assist a professor with research or take an independent study class to develop research skills.

Career Areas

• Domestic and international advocacy
• Humanitarian services
• Economic, Community, Housing Development
• Disaster/Disease relief
• HIV/AIDS advocacy
• Policy development
• Policy analysis
• Program administration
• Education
• Volunteer coordination
• Grant writing
• Program management and development
• Fundraising/Development
• Research
• Community education and outreach
• Public relations and marketing

Employers

• Community action agencies
• Labor unions
• Nonprofit organizations
• Social service agencies
• Private voluntary organizations
• Private foundations (e.g., The Boston Foundation, Lumina Foundation)
• Faith based organizations (FBO’s) and churches (e.g., Catholic Relief Services)
• Hospitals, medical centers and clinics
• International aid and relief organizations
• Non-governmental Organizations (NGO’s)
• Federal government agencies with an international focus (e.g., Peace Corps, USAID, etc.) or a focus on community assistance (e.g., AmeriCorps)
• State and local government agencies
• Special interest groups
• Cultural heritage organizations
• Research organizations

General Information

• Volunteer at local social service agencies that work with Native American communities to gain experience, demonstrate interest, and build contacts in the field.
• Get involved with cultural and international events or organizations on campus.
• Take additional courses in social work, global studies, or other relevant areas.
• Develop excellent research, writing, communication, and organizational skills.
• Learn how to motivate individuals and groups.
• Learn how to write grants and gain an understanding of budgeting and fiscal management.
• Investigate term of service or service corps positions as a way to gain entry into the field.
• Research organizations’ values to find a good fit with yours.
• Consider earning a graduate degree for more job opportunities and advancement.

Career Areas

• Healthcare advocacy
• Counseling
• Psychotherapy
• Mental health services
• Case management
• Social work
• Vocational/Career counseling
• Grant writing
• Program management and development
• Community relations
• Fundraising/Development
• Administration

Employers

• Mental health institutions
• Hospitals and clinics
• Residential treatment facilities
• Private and group practice
• Correctional institutions
• Federal, state, or local government:
  • Department of Human Services
• Youth organizations and camps
• Nonprofit and social services organizations
• Faith-based programs

General Information

• Gain essential practical experience through part time or summer jobs and internships.
• Volunteer with organizations that assist people of diverse backgrounds.
• Participate in training opportunities (e.g., suicide prevention or crisis hotline response).
• Gain a firm understanding of various Native American cultures and how culture impacts individuals and families.
• Acquire knowledge of government and community resources available for those in need.
• Research state licensure requirement in fields such as counseling, social work, and psychology.

Career Areas

• International business
• International development
• Importing/Exporting
• Logistics
• Banking and finance
• Management
• Customer service
• Sales
• Marketing
• Advertising
• Public relations
• Labor relations
• Training and development
• Human resources
• Equity and diversity functions
• Travel and tourism
• Real Estate
• Consulting
• Agriculture economics

Employers

• Banks and financial institutions
• Insurance companies
• Retail stores
• Hotels and restaurants
• Consumer goods manufacturers
• Staffing agencies
• Consulting firms
• Public relations agencies
• Minority Business Development Centers
• Travel agencies and tour operators
• Convention and visitors’ bureaus

General Information

• Double major or minor in Business or Language & World Business (MFLL).
• Gain business experience through internships or part-time and summer jobs.
• Gain leadership experience through campus organizations or professional societies.
• Understand the skills employers desire and be prepared to demonstrate them, such as communication (oral and written), computer, interpersonal, leadership, and teamwork.
• Conduct informational interviews with professionals to learn more about career fields.
• When job searching, seek employers interested in hiring “any major.”
• Earn an MBA or a graduate degree in another area of interest such as accounting or finance for more advanced opportunities.

Career Areas

• Corporate practice law
• Public interest law
• Civil law
• International law
• Tribal law
• Immigration law
• Lobbying
• Government relations
• Elected or appointed leadership
• Public policy
• Research
• Intelligence
• Campaign management
• Special interest advocacy
• Program administration
• Immigration Services

Employers

• Law firms
• Corporate legal departments
• Public defenders offices
• District attorneys
• Public interest groups (e.g., The Center for Justice and International Law)
• Civil rights organizations
• Legal aid
• Sole practitioner
• Government agencies (e.g., Department of State, foreign service)
• Lobbying groups

General Information

• Obtain a law degree (J.D.) for law positions or an advanced degree in public administration, public policy, or international relations for government positions.
• Supplement curriculum with relevant courses to prepare for law school (research and writing skills).
• Participate in activities that develop strong debate and public speaking skills such as mock trials.
• Run for office in student government or work on a political campaign.
• Get involved with the pre-law society on campus.
• Gain relevant experience through jobs or internships with law firms, government agencies, or mediation centers.
• Maintain a high grade point average and secure strong faculty recommendations.
• Prepare for and take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

Career Areas

• Journalism
• Creative writing
• Freelance writing
• Copy writing
• Editing
• Research and analysis
• Television
• Radio
• Media sales
• Museum work
• Arts programming
• Art sales
• Fundraising/Development

Employers

• Newspapers
• Magazines
• Broadcast media companies including television and movie industry
• Radio stations
• Foreign news agencies
• Trade, professional, or consumer publications
• Internet sites marketed toward Native Americans
• Advertising agencies
• Publishing houses
• Large corporations
• Freelance
• Museums
• Galleries
• Organizations and centers dedicated to promoting Native visual and performing arts

General Information

• Study a second field such as journalism, English, or broadcasting to prepare for a career in media.
• For positions in the arts, consider a minor in art history or music history.
• Plan to pursue a relevant graduate degree such as Museum Studies.
• Write for campus publications such as college newspapers, magazines, or department/program newsletters.
• Work at campus radio or television stations.
• Intern with a publishing house, magazine, radio or television station depending upon area of interest.
• Create a portfolio of writing samples, especially those that have been published.
• For other areas, create a website or digital portfolio to promote skills to potential employers.
• Seek opportunities for recognition and networking through writing contests and freelance writing submissions.
• Become familiar with the proposal and submission process involved in freelance writing.
• Volunteer in local museums or galleries.