You don’t have to be the next Bel Hooks to want to work in women’s studies (though that passion and experience certainly doesn’t hurt!). Building a brighter future for girls around the world is important to all of us, and if it’s not important to you, you’re on the wrong page – hit "back" now! Women’s studies jobs are the ideal opportunity not only to unleash your passion, but to develop and utilize a multitude of skills. Considering women make up 50 percent of the global population (in case you didn’t already know), the world is your oyster! Spin the globe and point your finger and read on to find great jobs in women’s studies abroad.
Why Work Abroad
You made it this far, and aside from the obvious change-making, fireworks-exploding-with-excitement, boundless opportunities to do amazing things, let’s take a look at some of the highlights of women’s studies jobs.
There is a rather broad scope of women’s studies jobs that exist in the world. People from most academic and professional backgrounds will have something to bring to the field and will not only be able to utilise their skills, but grow and share them with others as well (kind of like watering a beautiful plant and watching it flower, but better!). All of this means you’ll have plenty of room to multi-potentialite and incorporate a range of activities and experiences into one beautifully packaged women’s studies job abroad. You definitely won’t get bored either, because you will always be learning from your job and building upon your skills.
If that’s not enough, imagine going to bed every night knowing that you did something that really mattered! Jobs in women’s studies aren’t positions that just pay the bills, these opportunities are so much more, and you will certainly reap the benefits of knowing that you are helping to empower the next generation of strong women who will lead independent and successful lives. Contributing to a bigger picture and actually getting to see how your work impacts the lives of others has to be number one on the list of reasons to pick a career in women’s studies, right?
Locations
From East to West there’s plenty of potential for checking off some bucket-list worthy destinations as you build a career in women’s studies abroad. One of the most popular locations for women’s studies jobs abroad is Spain. That’s right, you could start your day working toward gender equality and end it sipping sangria and munching on delicious tapas as the sun sets over a plaza. Spain has pledged itself to promoting gender equality, and you can get in on the ground floor.
If that’s not far enough for you, think Asia. From the rapidly-developing nation of China, with great walls and even greater opportunities, to the technological development boom that is Singapore, there is a world of choice when it comes to women’s studies jobs abroad. Uncertain what culture and country will suit your interests best? Malaysia also offers a unique amalgamation of traditional cultures, creative development, beautiful beaches, sparkling cities, and job opportunities!
Wherever you decide to go, dream big and travel far!
Women's Studies Jobs Abroad
No two women’s studies jobs will be the same. The scope of your work will depend on your host country, and the cultural context surrounding gender equality and women. Based on your host community’s needs, your work could be focused on literacy and education, healthcare, economic empowerment, or academic/field research in international development and human rights.
Teaching. Most jobs in women’s studies are some type of teaching placement. You’ll likely be working to educate women by providing them with the knowledge they need to succeed in the future, whether that means working on basic reading and writing or teaching English as a second language. In teaching positions, you’ll be empowering girls and women to take control of their own lives and opens the door to independence through increased opportunities for employment too. Teaching opportunities with women may entail working with women of all ages, from elementary students all the way to adults.
Vocational Training. Academic education is not the whole story, however, so offering vocational skills and training to women of all ages can give them the potential to learn skills and adopt a career doing something they truly enjoy. Sharing your own skills and experiences to train women will increase their employability and scope for income generation, further developing their potential for financial independence. In vocational training positions, you can work with local women to teach business development, help them with their job search and interview techniques, or help them better understand how to manage their personal finances.
Research & Development. If we do not understand the challenges faced by women around the globe, then we cannot begin to understand what types of solutions can be implemented. Conducting research to identify and understand these social problems and how they might be solved provides vital insight into how we can open doors for women to develop and grow. Research positions might involve working with local or international organisations or academic institutions, such as a university department, on varying levels.
Nonprofits & NGOs. If you’re a jack of all trades who wants to try their hand at all of the above women’s studies jobs, your best bet is working with local nonprofits and NGOs. These positions may involve working in everything from general administration to HR, accountancy, and finance to business development or project management. Getting connected to an NGO will allow you to explore different approaches to women’s studies and apply your background skills to support the work being undertaken. With the wide scope of nonprofit and NGO positions available, you could be working in education and literacy, healthcare, economic empowerment, and research and development, all while furthering women’s agendas.
Benefits & Challenges
Jobs in women’s studies are sure to be rewarding. You will wake up every morning knowing you are making a difference in the lives of women, not only in your host country, but worldwide. Through the process of empowering women in your host community, you will be empowering yourself to keep working and fighting the good fight too. Not to mention, you’ll learn a whole lot from the men and women in the communities you serve.
Though it will be rewarding work, change is often slow, so women’s studies jobs will therefore prove to be challenging. Underlying cultural constraints and deeply embedded social norms take time to deconstruct and reconstruct. As you tackle these problems, you might not see the fruits of your labor immediately, which can be frustrating. Always remember, paradigm shifts takes time, but it can be done!
If you’re passionate about women’s issues and you are looking for opportunities that allow you to make an impact and utilise your skills, women’s studies jobs are certainly worth pursuing. Just be prepared to work hard and navigate the field, and you will reap the rewards exponentially!
