Cultural study is an interdisciplinary field of study that involves understanding culture through artistic and textual products like music, films, or books. It also involves critical theory in India. It is concerned with the role of social organisations in the shaping of the future. Cultural studies combine study in different departments such as anthropology, sociology, art criticism, historiography, literary criticism, and philosophy.
This area of study is ideal for those who have an interest in how class, race, gender, and ethnicity create a culture and influence the social shaping of society. Cultural studies will offer you the tools to examine cultural representations, identities, power, and practices.
Major in Cultural Studies
A major in cultural studies allows students to examine day-to-day practices about systems of power. It will assign you a variety of tools required to analyse how meanings are circulated, exchanged, and produced in cultural contexts. Through this course, you will get to know about how to share our ideas in a persuasive way, how to question our social norms, and how to think systematically.
A major in cultural studies complements every field of study in the Social sciences and Humanities as well as Legal and Law studies, Arts, Economics, Science, Education, English literature, and Commerce. It helps in making you an engaged and informed critical thinker in context to cultural issues and day-to-day experiences. In addition, it encourages better writing skills.
Studying a major in cultural studies will make you an expert in liberal arts subjects, which will help you in learning skills, employability, curiosity, and transferability. A major in cultural studies will prepare you for further research studies. Many graduates with a cultural study major choose career paths in media, communications, NGO, cultural and heritage sectors, arts, and legal areas.
The Honours Program
The honours program opens career paths to ample opportunities like pursuing a research topic or thinking of getting a high degree. The thesis is an enhanced work of art research on a specific topic chosen by students themselves and is written under the supervision of a staff member who is an active researcher.
The thesis gives a lot of experience to students in conducting and formulating an enhanced piece of their own research. Working closely with an experienced member of staff will help in bringing reflections and taking the research to a sharper focus. Hence, it is key to demonstrate the attributes needed in further studies. There are many career options after English honours.
Cultural Studies and Interdisciplinary Career Pathways
A student who completes a cultural studies major may open their career pathways to a variety of opportunities. Nowadays, employers seek employees with a diversity of skills and knowledge. Here are some of the career pathways you can follow with a cultural studies degree.
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Conservator
Are you a rover of science or art museums? Did you picture yourself in Egypt standing next to pyramids when you were a kid? Then a conservator career pathway is an ideal option for you. A cultural studies degree will make it easier for you to become a conservator. Most conservators in the art world and media work by preserving, analysing, or restoring various works of art and artifacts such as books, furniture, textile, and many others. Some conservators have the opportunity to work in science and art galleries and museums, and these conservators are experts in a required field. There are further career steps as a conservator, but a cultural studies degree can be your first step towards becoming a conservator.
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Curator
Just like conservators, curators also work in galleries and museums. Most of the time, curators and conservators work together. However, their roles are entirely different from each other. A curator is someone who conducts, plans research, collects collections, exhibits, and manages promotional tours. A curator has an important role to play in helping creative people sell their work. If you have a knack for art and enjoy working with creative and artists people, then a cultural studies degree is a valuable option for you.
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Geographer
Geographers get paid well. It is an ideal job for those who love to stay outside and have a deep interest in culture. A geographer conducts research via field observations, generates maps, and analyses data. A geographer is needed to have deep knowledge of cultural studies. Geographers have an important role to play in understanding and mapping human beings’ impact on the environment and how various infrastructures and landscapes interact. A major in cultural studies can fulfill your dream of becoming a geographer.
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Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Expert
If you always dreamt of being a changemaker, then a cultural studies major will make your dream come true. In today’s era, many companies are learning that they are needed to train their staff members in equity, inclusion, and diversity. Students who study cultural studies are experts in critical thinking skills and analysing things. They are prepared to be the leaders required in a company that is struggling to incorporate policies and languages in diversity, inclusion, and equity in the workplace. A degree in cultural studies will make you a leader in such companies.
Conclusion
Are you looking for professional guidance to help you choose the best career path suitable for you? Reach out to Mindler. We at Mindler, India’s leading career counselling firm, focus on helping students achieve career clarity! We have helped over 1,20,000+ students and partnered with more than 150 schools across India to achieve the same. Our psychometric assessment has an accuracy of 97% in terms of helping students identify their ideal careers. We also give career counselling online so that you don’t have to go anywhere. Be it cultural studies or management, you can choose your career path from the comfort of your home!