Careers

"I lean on my American Studies education every day in my job as a nonprofit fundraiser. My position involves crafting grant applications, researching new opportunities, fostering strong relationships with donors, and developing strategies to hit our organization’s annual goals."

 

The material you encounter in AMST teaches you that the world is nuanced; that you must think critically; and that there is such a thing as the common good. I especially credit my Senior Thesis with nurturing my project management skills and strengthening my written communication skills.

 

These ideas and skills served me well in my graduate studies (MS, Higher Education, University of Oxford; MA, Social Sciences, University of Chicago), and they continue to serve me in my 9-to-5. And, as any AMST major will tell you, you’ll notice your mind wandering to your old readings and classes in many little moments throughout your life—watching Easy Rider on Netflix, noticing where your fruit at the grocery store was grown, or wondering why the latest election maps looked like that.

"I am very grateful for my academic background in American Studies. I work as an Associate at Ridgetop Research, an expert-networking firm servicing hedge fund and private equity clients worldwide. We recruit relevant industry professionals who can provide the freshest and most critical information when working on our clients' investment projects. American Studies helped me develop critical thinking skills, which I use whenever I receive a new project in an unfamiliar industry.

My job requires open-mindedness and an appreciation for diverse backgrounds, which are both traits that an American Studies major develops in each course. Additionally, AMST’s interdisciplinary approach has provided me with the confidence to analyze all forms of media—something that is very helpful in my role, as I often find myself scanning primary source material to find consultants for our clients. American Studies fully prepared me to be a confident & dynamic problem solver."

I am constantly thinking about my American Studies education in my job in government consulting. My job gives me an inside look at the different strategies state legislatures hone to implement federal legislation and a first-hand understanding of how policy affects the general population. Each day, I converse with members and decision-makers in the state and local government in an effort to solution how state policy can make the most impact, all while working within the “red-tape” of the bureaucratic system. Projects with the government are often more “long-term” than traditional consulting projects, and I find it incredibly rewarding to see a project through from beginning to end, while building lasting relationships along the way.

The American Studies degree does a fantastic job of exposing and encouraging you to explore the American experience in all its diversity. As an American Studies major, not only do you study courses within the major, but you also may take courses outside the department, allowing you to craft an interdisciplinary perspective and way of thinking. This perspective is especially beneficial during the job search process, as this skill is applicable to and valued in any professional field. Additionally, the American Studies major teaches you to write and defend your original ideas very well. The Senior Thesis, in particular, challenges you to create an original piece of scholarship over the course of a year. The dedication, passion, and creativity required from the thesis is a great precursor to the professional world, as it prepares you to focus on a single topic while exploring possible avenues for further research and application.

"The writing and verbal communication skills I developed in American Studies classes have been extremely valuable in a fast-paced business context. The varied and interdisciplinary coursework prepared me to feel comfortable quickly ramping up on new projects. In consulting, you always need to bring a perspective even when your ideas are half-baked. Discussion-based American Studies classes taught me how to articulate opinions and incorporate ideas from others to arrive at a nuanced argument. The constructive criticism and guidance I received from AMST professors on my writing has helped me feel comfortable receiving and acting on feedback in the workplace. Additionally, writing an American Studies senior thesis allowed me to take ownership of a lengthy project which has translated well to owning a workstream on longer consulting projects."