Why Women’s and Gender Studies?

As our society moves toward acknowledging the diversity of the world we live in, Women’s and Gender Studies is uniquely well-suited to prepare you to become informed and engaged citizens. As a graduate of our program, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills you need to be successful proponents of equality and social justice in whatever career you choose.

Our interdisciplinary program gives you the flexibility to discover your own focus as you gain the skills to examine and critique cultural, economic, historical, political, and social issues using feminist and queer philosophical paradigms. You will learn about a cross section of feminist and queer thinkers, develop expertise in methods of critical analysis, and gain a deep understanding of how gender, sexuality, race, class, religion, ethnicity, and other social factors shape access to power as well as how the very definitions of power and value have varied in a range of societal and historical contexts.

What Can You Do With a Women's and Gender Studies Degree?

The short answer is, anything! Our interdisciplinary approach and focus on the fundamental questions of how gender and sexuality shape our world means that our graduates have the depth of understanding and ability to think creatively that enables them to succeed as teachers, lawyers, activists and community organizers, computer scientists, policy makers and public servants, journalists, doctors and public health professionals, writers and artists, businesspeople, managers, and administrators.

A major or minor in WGST or a minor in LGBTQ studies will give you the crucial skills that employers value—critical analysis, research, writing, communication, and creative thinking—and that will help you build long-term career success in a continually changing landscape.

Employment Opportunities for Women's and Gender Studies Students

There aren't professional women and gender experts, yet, but similar to other degrees in the humanities and social sciences, the program is designed to offer a well-rounded curriculum that develops and sharpens skills that are welcome in nearly any career field. For most professional careers, employers can train new hires in whatever skills are needed to complete specific tasks. What they can't train, and what they look for in candidates, are critical thinking skills, clear and effective communication, and the ability to analyze problems and situations with a unique perspective while taking others into account.

These are the sort of skills WGST students develop while also learning the intricate history and dynamics of gender and identity in our society. Armed with these skills and a few early career experiences such as internships, students can unlock a nearly limitless range of opportunities.

Below are just a few opportunities that WGST graduates have landed for themselves. Not included on the list are the infinite number of jobs and experiences that are a connection or additional degree away as well as all that are going to be created in need of candidates with a diverse perspective and the skills listed above.

Administrator of a human services department
Advocate for victims of domestic violence and hate crimes
Communications consultant
Congressional aide
Coordinator of a women's health clinic
Directorial positions in nonprofits and social services
Film production assistant
Journalist
Librarian
Nurse practitioner
Physician
Professor
Psychologist
Psychotherapist
Public health educator
Public relations director
Social worker
Teacher
Union organizer

It is important to keep in mind that the list above is not representative of all the opportunities available to WGST students. Always use the Magner Career Center and other resources to your advantage to find opportunities that align with your interests.

LinkedIn is a great resource for students who are trying to find out more about careers in an area of interest. Of the many perks of using LinkedIn, you can view and connect with Brooklyn College alumni who graduated with or are currently working toward a degree in women's and gender studies. Join the Brooklyn College Alumni group and see where alumni are currently working, their skill sets, and their career progression. You can filter further based on employer, class year, etc.

On-Campus Resources

Our on-campus resources will help you learn more about careers in women and gender studies and how to land one. Make sure to attend events and keep current on the resources available to you.

Student Scholarships and Awards

You can enhance your learning experience and alleviate financial stress by applying to scholarships. Here are a few specific for WGST students, but there are many available for general studies available through the Scholarships Office and elsewhere.

WGST Change makers. Leadership Initiative $200-300 a project
Two full-year scholarships for WGST majors in their senior year ($5,000/year)
Barbara Winslow Award for Student Activism
Rising Star Award for early-stage WGST majors
Academic Excellence Award for a graduating WGST major
Academic Excellence Award for a graduating WGST minor or LGBTQ studies minor
Candace Groudine Scholarship
Victoria Cruz Award

Women's Center

The Women's Center is one of the oldest college women's centers in the United States. Its aim is to "create, promote, and organize programs that raise awareness of women's issues and in return empower participants to live a life that will reduce victimization, encourage self-sufficiency and independence, and model the skills to help women organize and sustain an environment of self-awareness." When the campus is open, the center has drop-in hours, but there is also a Slack channel, which can be accessed at any time.

LGBTQ Resource Center

The LGBTQ Resource Center "is both a welcoming space and supportive network for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual and/or ally students, staff and faculty at Brooklyn College."

When the campus is open, students can drop by the center in 219 Student Center, but they can always be reached through Facebook or via e-mail.

Brooklyn College Partners

The Women’s and Gender Studies Program has ongoing collaborations on academic talks, workshops, artistic events, and other student opportunities with a number of groups at Brooklyn College, including:

Shirley Chisholm Project (3107b James Hall, 718.951.1772)
The Women's Center (227 Ingersoll Hall Extension; 718.951.5777)
LGBTQ Resource Center (219-221 Student Center, 718.951.5739)

Annual Mentoring Events

Women's Leadership Mentor Luncheon—fall semester
LGTQIA+ Leadership Mentor Luncheon—spring semester
Endowed Chair Speaker Series—fall and spring semesters

Magner Career Center

The Magner Career Center is a great source of information on everything you need to get started in your career, help with résumés, an internship database, job fairs, etc.

The center hosts frequent career events, which include panels with alumni, company and organization visits, and workshops.
You can get matched with alumni that majored or minored in women's and gender studies to learn about their experiences, seek career advice, and develop a professional relationship.
HireBC offers starter, competitive internships, and even job postings from Brooklyn College's dedicated Job Board. Access HireBC via the Brooklyn College WebCentral Portal, under the Career Tab. Many alumni post positions with hopes of working with Brooklyn College students. Begin by uploading your résumé and having it reviewed by a career counselor.
Pamela Brown is the liaison to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. For more information or to set up appointments, visit the center's website, call 718.951.5696, or visit 1303 James Hall.

Additional Resources

You can access a list of resources in the Brooklyn community or nationally by checking out the department's Resources page. Some are also shown above, but all are accessible to students who are in need of a community at the least, but also a network of people who can help out with your career at the most.

Getting Connected

Irva P. Adams, Administrative Coordinator (IAdams@brooklyn.cuny.edu)
Namulundah Florence, Program Director (NFlorence@brooklyn.cuny.edu)

WGSTCoordinator@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5476
F: 718.951.5477

Facebook: @WGSTProgram
Instagram: @bc_wgst_program
Twitter: @wgst_bc and @BCLGBTQStudies

Program and Department Information

Major—B.A. in Women's and Gender Studies (30–32 credits)

WGST 1001—Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies: Sex, Gender, and Power
Three courses chosen from core WGST courses, including internships with community organizations
Two courses in the humanities and arts
Three courses in social sciences, business and economics, and health sciences.
WGST 4410W—Senior Seminar: Conduct original research and write a research paper you can use as a writing sample for graduate program applications

Minor—Women's and Gender Studies (15–17 credits)

WGST 1001—Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies: Sex, Gender, and Power
Four advanced electives of your choice

Minor—LGBTQ Studies (15–17 credits)

WGST 1001—Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies: Sex, Gender, and Power
WGST 2100—Fundamental Concepts in LGBTQ Studies
Three advanced electives chosen from a list

Concentration for Majors in Early Childhood and Childhood Education Teacher Programs (30 credits)

WGST 1001—Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies: Sex, Gender, and Power
Seven advanced electives chosen from a list
WGST 4410W—Senior Seminar (see above for description)

Faculty

Endowed Chair, 2021–23, Bernardita Llanos (Modern Languages)

Adjunct Faculty

B. Lee Aultman
Gizem Iscan
Sneha George
Marianne Helene Madore
Lisa Marsh
Corinna Mullin-Rouabah
Titilola Olosunde
Maria Laura Pavon
Esther Caroline Ritau
Abby L. Scher
Gwendolyn Shaw
Sybil White

Affiliate Full-Time Faculty

These faculty include notable scholars and artists from the humanities, arts, social sciences, education, natural and behavioral sciences, and business: