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.
Visit the Job Bank Canada website to research basic requirements and responsibilities of jobs in your field. Some career options may require further education or training.
- Aboriginal outreach worker
- Archivist
- Biographer
- Charitable organization director
- Communications specialist
- Community development worker
- Community programs director
- Conservator
- Copywriter
- Cultural anthropologist
- Curator
- Diplomat
- Documentary filmmaker
- Education policy analyst
- Elections officer
- Event planner
- Foreign service officer
- Genealogist
- Heritage interpreter
- Historian
- Human rights officer
- Immigration officer
- Indigenous affairs officer
- Journalist
- Lawyer
- Library director
- Lobbyist
- Media consultant
- Museum administrator
- Museum educator
- News analyst
- Policy advisor
- Records technician
- Research assistant
- Restoration technician
- Social policy researcher
- Teacher or Professor
- Tourism industry consultant
- Writer
Make the most of your program
Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities, develop your skillset, and help you clarify your values and interests.
- UBC Canadian Studies Students’ Association
Meet other UBC students through events and programs. - Departmental research opportunities
Reach out directly to faculty members to ask about potential research positions. - Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations
Develop new skills and gain practical knowledge in a heritage field over the summer. - Parliamentary Internship Programme
Apply for an opportunity to shadow a Member of Parliament over 10 months (for new grads). - BC Legislative Internship Program
Assist a Member of the Legislative Assembly and observe the daily workings of the BC Legislature (for new grads). - Ontario Legislature Internship Programme
Gain practical experience with the daily workings of the Ontario Legislature (for new grads). - Canada Summer Jobs Program
Check out summer jobs for full-time students. - Federal Student Work Experience Program
Apply for government positions across Canada through this student recruitment initiative. - Government jobs
Access federal, provincial and municipal government job postings. - Government volunteer and internship positions
Discover local and international opportunities to prepare you for future employment. - Volunteer and internship opportunities
Check out various resources to gain local and international experience.
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 finding job and volunteer opportunities. Most have reduced membership rates for students and new grads.
- Active History
- Assembly of First Nations
- Association of Canadian Archivists
- Association for Canadian Studies
- Association for Canadian Studies in the United States
- Association for Cultural Studies
- BC Historical Federation
- BC Public Service
- Canada’s History Society
- Canadian Anthropology Society
- Canadian Council of Archives
- Canadian Association of Professional Conservators
- Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
- Canadian Committee on Labour History
- Canadian Heritage Information Network
- Canadian Historical Association
- Canadian International Council
- Canadian Museums Association
- Canadian Network for Economic History
- Canadian Oral History Association
- Canadian Public Relations Society
- Canadian Research Knowledge Network
- Canadian Society for Renaissance Studies
- Canadian Studies Network
- Council of Canadians
- Culture Works Canada
- Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences
- First Peoples’ Cultural Council
- Global Affairs Canada
- Government of Canada
- Institute for Research on Public Policy
- International Council for Canadian Studies
- Library and Archives Canada
- National Council on Public History
- National Trust for Canada
- Network in Canadian History and Environment
- Open Canada
- WorkInCulture
Connect with alumni
Learn about possible career paths by browsing alumni stories or viewing the profiles of UBC Canadian Studies graduates on LinkedIn.
As you read, take note of interesting job titles, organizations, and experiences you may want to explore. If a particular story or profile aligns with your goals, consider reaching out for an informational interview.
More information
Throughout 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.