Ethnic Studies
Ethnic Studies is an interdisciplinary approach to the study of ethnic groups in society. As an Ethnic Studies major, you gain knowledge of a broad range of ethnic groups and develop important skills in research, writing, analysis, critical thinking and cultural awareness.
Representative Job Titles and Area of Specialization
- Administrative Analysts
- Advertising Agent
- Bank Officer
- Bilingual Education Consultant
- City Planner *
- Claims Adjuster
- Community Organization Worker
- Customs/Immigration Inspector
- Foreign Service Officer
- Grant/Proposal Writer
- Group Counselor
- Industrial Relations Specialist
- Intelligence Analyst
- Lawyer *
- Management Trainee
- Museum Curator *
- Personnel Analyst
- Probation Officer
- Professor/Instructor/Teacher *
- Psychologist *
- Public Administrator
- Public Relations
- Rehabilitation Counselor *
- Researcher
- Revenue Agent
- Social Worker *
- Staff Analyst
- Substance Abuse Counselor
- Writer/Editor
* See Training section
Nature of the Work
Many career opportunities with government agencies and non-profit organizations are available to Ethnic Studies majors. Here is a brief summary of the type of work you might perform:
- Administrative assistants collect, compile and analyze information, review policies and procedures and prepare written reports, grant applications, correspondence, resolutions, and proclamations.
- Human services workers are employed in group homes and halfway houses; correctional and community mental health centers; family, child, and youth service agencies; and programs concerned with alcoholism, drug abuse, family violence, and aging.
- Human service workers in social service agencies interview clients, assess their needs, and establish their eligibility for services.
- Social workers assist individuals and families with management of health, social, emotional and economic problems.
- Group counselors are responsible for supervising the activities, safety and care of juveniles in county detention or correctional facilities.
- Probation officers helps individuals abide by the terms and conditions of probation.
Places of Employment
- Advertising agencies
- Banks
- City, county, state government
- Federal government:
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Department of State
- Immigration and Naturalization Services
- Internal Revenue Service
- Office of Personnel Management
- Social Security Administration
- Hospitals
- Insurance companies
- Museums
- Publishing companies
- Research and educational institutes
- Retailers
- School districts
- Social service agencies
- Universities and colleges
Training
Many of the jobs listed above may be obtained with a bachelor's degree depending on the type of coursework you completed and experience you gained as an undergrad.
Those job titles designated by an asterisk generally require specific education and/or experience beyond the bachelor's degree.
A master's degree in social work is required for many positions in the mental health field and is almost always necessary for supervisory, administrative or research positions.
If you are considering a career in teaching and research at a university, you will need to pursue a Ph.D.
For further information and/or career counseling contact the UCR Career Center, (951) 827-3631.
Supplemental Material
The following documents may provide further ideas for exploration.
- Child and Family Studies
- Education
- Global Studies
- History
- Human Resources Management
- Human Services
- Humanities and Liberal Studies
- Marketing
- Political Science and Government
- Public Administration
- Public Relations
- Religious Studies
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Theater