Your degree in Canadian Studies

Skills you’ll develop

During your Canadian Studies degree, you’ll critically engage the country’s past and present and seek to understand Canada’s place in the world. You’ll develop important skills through an interdisciplinary program that examines culture and society, language and the arts, geography, history, economics, and politics.

These skills may include:

  • Thinking critically and analyzing concepts related to Canadian culture and history from multiple perspectives
  • Applying problem solving to the examination of Canadian issues
  • Researching, collecting data, synthesizing, and analyzing large amounts of data
  • Being resourceful in finding crucial information and using context to understand its meaning and importance
  • Persuasive public speaking and reasoning abilities that are evidence-based and acknowledge the influence different perspectives can have on facts
  • Written and verbal communication skills used to identify and examine contemporary issues
  • Reflecting on and analyzing one’s own identity, influences, assumptions, and values

Explore career possibilities

Career opportunities vary widely across a range of fields including government, non-profit, business, law, communications, museums, the arts, tourism, education, and others.

There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests. Read through the job titles below for ideas. Some career options may require further education or training.

Visit the National Occupational Classification website to research basic requirements and responsibilities of jobs in your field.

  • Aboriginal affairs officer
  • Aboriginal outreach worker
  • Archivist
  • Biographer
  • Charitable organization director
  • Communications specialist
  • Community development worker
  • Community programs director
  • Conservator
  • Copywriter
  • Cultural anthropologist
  • Curator
  • Diplomat
  • Documentarian/Filmmaker
  • Education policy analyst
  • Elections officer
  • Event planner
  • Foreign service officer
  • Genealogist
  • Heritage interpreter
  • Historian
  • Human rights officer
  • Immigration officer
  • Journalist
  • Lawyer
  • Library director
  • Lobbyist
  • Media/Information consultant
  • Museum administrator
  • Museum educator
  • News analyst
  • Policy advisor
  • Records technician
  • Research assistant
  • Restoration technician
  • Social policy researcher
  • Teacher/Professor
  • Tourism industry consultant
  • Writer

Make the most of your program

Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities and help you understand your values and interests.

Build your network

Employers often hire people they know, so help them get to know you. You can build your network through clubs, classes, informational interviews, and more. There are so many ways to make connections and find mentors.

The professional associations below are also great resources for meeting people, learning about specific industries, and accessing job and volunteer opportunities. Most have reduced membership rates for students and new grads.

Connect with alumni on LinkedIn

Find UBC Canadian Studies graduates on LinkedIn to learn about where they’re working, and their career and academic paths.

More information

From your Arts degree, you’ll develop skills and experiences that can translate into many career paths. Check out other things you can do with your Arts degree.

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