Preparing for Careers in Human Rights

Are you thinking that you'd like to do something with Human Rights and Human Diversity, but not sure how it might lead to a career?

Here are some suggestions for programs and options you might combine with our Human Rights and Human Diversity program to tailor your education to your aspirations.

Thinking About a Legal Career?

Consider combining Human Rights and Human Diversity with an honours degree in Law and Society, Criminology, History or English.

Or, you can fastrack by combining Human Rights and Human Diversity with a law degree from Sussex University (UK) in just six years.

Thinking About Working in a Human Rights-Focused Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)?

Consider combining Human Rights and Human Diversity with the Leadership Option. NGOs need people with strong administrative skills who know how to work in teams. The Non-profit Career Skills Specialization can help you develop these. You might also consider the Issue Advocacy Option – in this media-savvy world, NGOs (and government and business) can use people who have the skills to navigate it.

Thinking About a Career in Human Resources Management?

Consider taking our combined Human Rights and Human Diversity / Human Resources Management (with Conestoga College) program.

Thinking You Might Want to Work in Fields Like Policing or Border Control?

Consider combining Human Rights and Human Diversity with an honours degree in Law and Society or Criminology.

Thinking About Working in the Developing World?

You might consider adding the International Development Specialization to your honours degree in Human Rights and Human Diversity. Note: You'll probably require postgraduate study in International Development to complete your preparation.

Thinking Graduate School (MA, PhD) Might Be in Your Future?

Consider combining Human Rights and Human Diversity with another honours degree in a more traditional discipline such as Psychology, Criminology, History or English. While there are master's programs directly related Human Rights, this will give you more options to pursue research with a human rights focus.

Concerned About Children’s Rights?

Consider combining Human Rights and Human Diversity with an honours degree in Youth and Children's Studies.

What Some of Our Grads Are Doing

Although our honours program is still fairly new (we started in 2008), our grads are off to a great start. Here's a summary of what some of them have gone on to do.

Work and Internships

• paralegal
• fundraising campaign associate with major local NGO
• founded Amberli English Centre (Tam Ky, Vietnam)
• human resources specialist with a school board
• specialty group facilitator (YMCA); Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada
• communications coordinator with a development NGO (Hamilton)
• admissions and recruitment (Laurier)
• computer hardware management analyst
• event manager
• staff, Ontario disability support program
• wholesale professional
• campaign leader for a fundraising organization
• community placement program assistant with an Ontario municipality
• internship with United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), followed by contracts with the UN High Commissioner for Refugee's Office and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Office
• internship with Global Affairs Canada
• specialty sales representative with a travel company
• community outreach and organizing intern with an NGO
• canvasser for Amnesty International, Public Outreach Fundraising
• Salvation Army, working with homeless individuals
• working for City of Kitchener
• account manager in private business
• charitable events coordinator at a hospital
• co-op strategist at a community college
• content engagement specialist
• equity mobilizer with a union
• commercial director at a human resources firm
• health and safety coordinator in food industry (completed Human Resources as part of BA)
• internship with Economic and Social Development Canada

Further Studies

• MA in Work and Society (McMaster); special security and investigation officer
• MA in Social Justice and Equity Studies (Brock)
• MA in Local Economic Development (Waterloo)
• MA in Political Studies (Queen's)
• Law (LLB) (University of Ottawa)
• Master of Divinity (Trinity College, University of Toronto)
• MA in Gender Studies and Feminist Research (McMaster)
• Law (LLB) (University of Windsor)
• MA in International Development (Dalhousie); working for an NGO (Brantford)
• MA in Human Rights and International Relations, Roehampton University (London, UK)
• MA in Media and Communications, Bournemouth University (UK)
• MA in Criminology (Ottawa)
• MA in Globalization Studies (McMaster)
• MA in Social Justice and Community Engagement (Wilfrid Laurier University)
• MA in International Public Policy (Wilfrid Laurier University)
• MA in Public Policy (University of Toronto)
• MA in International Development (Ottawa)
• MA in Sociology (McMaster)
• MA in Religion and Culture (Laurier)