Skills you’ll develop
During your First Nations and Indigenous Studies degree, you’ll develop important skills in ethical research while gaining an understanding of one’s relationship to the contemporary realities and contexts of First Nations and Indigenous communities.
These skills may include:
- Analytical thinking applied to examining the roles that language, culture, identity, social structures, colonialism and resistance, and political issues play in shaping First Nations’ and Indigenous perspectives
- Developing critical perspectives and apply theoretical frameworks to support work and ethical research with communities and Indigenous organizations
- Developing ethical and strategic approaches to contemporary issues and propose solutions considering multiple perspectives
- Influencing scholarly and public representations of Indigenous languages and cultures
- Collaborating with others to explore Indigenous history, arts and culture, systems of knowledge, political theory, and activism
- Qualitative and quantitative research experience developed through a research practicum
- Persuasively communicating ideas in writing and through public speaking and debate
- Storytelling across different media including film, podcasts, digital media and other non-academic forms of writing
Explore career possibilities
Career opportunities vary widely across a range of fields including Indigenous organizations, government, business, media, museums, education, law, 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.
- Advertising campaign manager
- Art curator
- Business development officer
- Charitable organization director
- Communications manager
- Community culture and language worker
- Community development worker
- Community health, fitness, and sport worker
- Community records and archivist
- Community support worker
- Copywriter
- Counsellor
- Cultural site or museum interpreter
- Curriculum designer
- Digital storyteller
- Documentarian/Filmmaker
- Educational policy analyst
- Economic development officer
- Employment counsellor
- Employment equity officer
- Environmental and land rights advisor
- Event planner
- Family support worker
- Fundraiser
- Grant writer
- Human resources manager
- Human rights officer
- Intergovernmental affairs officer
- Journalist
- Language archivist
- Language instructor
- Lawyer
- Legislator
- Lobbyist
- Media/Information consultant
- Museum administrator
- Museum educator
- Policy advisor
- Political organizer
- Public affairs officer
- Public opinion interviewer
- Public relations specialist
- Rural development officer
- Social policy researcher
- Social enterprise developer
- Speech writer
- Student services counsellor
- Teacher/Professor
- Tourism consultant
- University research assistant
- Urban and land use planning
- Youth worker
Make the most of your program
Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities and help you understand your values and interests.
- Alumni profiles
Learn about the experiences of past and present students from your program. - Arts Indigenous Student Advising
Receive academic and cultural support from Arts Indigenous Student Advising to help meet your educational and personal goals at UBC. - Indigenous Collegium
Connect with an Indigenous elder or UBC professor, make lunch or meet up with friends between classes, or take part in cultural practices, such as smudging, and community practices like talking circles. - AMS Indigenous Committee
Join the Indigenous Committee, which is committed to bringing Indigenous ways of knowing and being into the UBC Alma Mater Society (AMS) as well as the larger UBC institution by hosting events, providing support to Indigenous clubs, and advocating for Indigenous rights on campus. All Indigenous students who pay fees to the AMS can join the committee. - Unceded Airwaves
Tune in to Unceded Airwaves, a bi-weekly radio program produced by CiTR’s Indigenous Collective. We are committed to centering Indigenous voices and offering alternative narratives that empower Indigenous people and their stories. - UBC Indigenous events
Connect with students and faculty members at a variety of events. - Indigenous Undergraduate Research Mentorship Program
Apply in term 1 to get paired with a faculty member in this four-month research mentorship program for Indigenous students. - Departmental research opportunities
Reach out directly to faculty members to ask about potential research positions. - Indigenous Bursaries Search Tool
Search for post-secondary scholarship opportunities for Indigenous students across Canada. - Further academic studies
Learn about various graduate and professional program opportunities at UBC, across Canada, and internationally. - Grants and funding opportunities
Get sources of funding for Indigenous language, arts and cultural projects. - Indigenous organizations and services
Browse volunteer and work opportunities in local organizations using this British Columbia Government guide. - Indigenous Youth Internship Program
Apply in term 2 for a 12 month paid internship sponsored by the British Columbia Government.
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.
- Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of BC
- Assembly of First Nations
- BC Aboriginal Child Care Society
- BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society
- BC Assembly of First Nations
- BC Association of Professional Archaeologists
- BC Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
- BC Public Service
- Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
- Canadian Museum of History
- Canadian Museums Association
- Canadian Public Relations Society
- Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
- Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers
- Endangered Language Fund
- Endangered Languages Project
- First Nations Education Council
- First Peoples’ Cultural Council
- Foundation for Endangered Languages Canada
- Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
- Indigenous Corporate Training
- Indigenous Foundations
- Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
- Indigenous Tourism BC
- Indigenous Works
- Institute for Research on Public Policy
- Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
- Métis Nation British Columbia
- Museum of Anthropology
- Musqueam Nation
- National Aboriginal Forestry Association
- Native Women’s Association of Canada
- Urban Native Youth Association: 2-Spirit Collective
- WorkInCulture
Connect with alumni on LinkedIn
Find UBC First Nations and Indigenous 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.