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.

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. 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 Option to your honours degree in Human Rights and Human Diversity. Note: You'd 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.

Want to Raise Awareness About Human Rights and Human Diversity Issues? Think More Work Needs to Done On Creating a Human Rights Culture?

Consider combining Human Rights and Human Diversity with an honours degree in Digital Media and Journalism, the Youth and Children's Studies program, or the Issue Advocacy Option.

Hoping to Work in a Helping Profession Right Here in Canada That's Likely to Raise Issues of Human Rights and Human Diversity?

Consider combining honours Human Rights and Human Diversity with Health Studies. You might also a career in Social Work – just do your research and make sure you're taking all the prerequisites you need to gain admission to a Master of Social Work program.

What Some of Our Grads Are Doing

Although we are still a new program (we've been a minor since 2005, a combined honours program since 2008 and an honours program since 2009), we already have some graduates. Here's a summary of what some of them have gone on to do:

2010 Graduates

• MA in Work and Society (McMaster); Special Security and Investigation Officer.
• Paralegal.

2011 Graduates

• MA in Social Justice and Equity Studies (Brock).
• MA in Local Economic Development (Waterloo).

2012 Graduates

• Fundraising campaign associate with major local NGO.
• Founded Amberli English Centre (Tam Ky, Vietnam).
• MA in Political Studies (Queen's).
• Law (LLB) (University of Ottawa).
• Human resources specialist with a school board.

2013 Graduates

• Master of Divinity (Trinity College, University of Toronto).
• MA in Gender Studies and Feminist Research (McMaster).
• Specialty group facilitator (YMCA).
• Law (LLB) (University of Windsor).
• Communications coordinator with a development NGO (Hamilton).
• MA in International Development (Dalhousie); working for an NGO (Brantford).
• Admissions and recruitment (Laurier).
• Computer hardware management analyst.
• Event manager.

2014 Graduates

• Staff, Ontario disability support program.
• MA in Human Rights and International Relations, Roehampton University (London, UK).
• MA in Media and Communications, Bournemouth University (UK).
• Wholesale professional.
• Human resources intern.
• Campaign leader for a fundraising organization.
• Community placement program assistant with an Ontario municipality.

2015 Graduates

• Internship with United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
• Specialty sales representative with a travel company.
• MA in Criminology (Ottawa).
• Human Resources Management (Conestoga).
• MA in Globalization Studies (McMaster).
• Community outreach and organizing intern with an NGO.
• MA in Social Justice and Community Engagement (Wilfrid Laurier University).
• MA in International Public Policy (Wilfrid Laurier University).
• Human resource management.
• Human resources assistant with an auto parts manufacturer.