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What can you do with a degree in African American Studies Degree?
The job prospects for new college graduates look encouraging as employers recently said they plan to hire 14.5 percent more new college grads in 2005-06 than they hired in 2004-05. But the increased number of jobs available isn't the only good news for these students; they can also expect to see higher starting salary offers, according to results of a new survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
Many people who have earned degrees in African/African American Studies have gone on to do great things. On September 12, 1992, Mae Jemison was the first black woman in space. She graduated in 1977 from Stanford with a B.A. in African-American Studies and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. She attended medical school at Cornell University and became an MD in 1981. "My mother taught me the importance of lifelong learning and intellectual challenge. Linus Pauling, who won the Nobel Prize in 1952 in Biochemistry, and again in 1961, is a scientist who helped me know the importance of exploration and discovery, but also social responsibility." She viewed her courses in the social sciences as vital, she recalled, "Because I was unconsciously balancing the... science and engineering departments with the embrace of political science."
Another well-known graduate of African American Studies is Angela Bassett. Stressing the importance of an education by her mother, Angela earned an academic scholarship to Yale University. She received her B.A. in African-American studies from Yale in 1980. In 1983, she earned a Master of Fine Arts Degree from the Yale School of Drama.
Professional basketball player Vince Carter completed his degree in African American Studies from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. He has said that he wants to complete a Master's degree in Business or Communications. His approach to success, "Believing in Your Dreams," is also the slogan of the Embassy of Hope Foundation, which was established by Carter to assist children and their families in his home state of Florida and his adopted hometown of Toronto.
The African American Studies major may be augmented by the study of African and American Literature, Art, Communication, Teacher Education, Economics, History, Political Science, Sociology, Religious Studies or Women and Gender Studies. Recently reported salaries for selected occupations nationwide for which African American Studies graduates may be eligible (Note: some positions may require previous work experience; Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics) include the following:
- College/University Professor
- FBI Agent
- Community Liaison/Activist
- Journalist
- Motivational Speaker
- Politician
- EEO Officer
- Public Relations Specialist
- Employer Relations Specialist.
- K-12 Teacher
Entrepreneur
- Training Specialist
- Attorney
- Social Worker
- Minister F
- ilmmaker
- Artist Musician
Many People who have earned degrees in African American Studies have gone on to do great things.Now read about some celebrities who have earned degrees in African American Studies:
Medicine & Health
Claudia Thomas…… Physician. The first black female Orthopedic surgeon in the US.
Science & Technology
Mae Jemison...... Astronaut. Rocketed in to space aboard the shuttle Endeavor in 1972 as a mission specialist.
Law
Fidelai A. Bowen……. Associate in Law firm of Donoghue, Thomas, Auslander & Drohan.
Politics & Government
Jendayi Frazer......Senior Director of African Affairs at the National Security Council, appointed by Condoleezaa Rice.
Business and Industry
Julia Baker Jones......Business consultant. Graduated in the top 10 percent of her business school class at Stanford.
Performing Arts and Entertainments
Angela Bassett….. Actress. Winner of the Globe Award for Best in 1994 and an Oscar nominee for the movie “ What Love Got To Do With It.”
Visual Arts
Amani Willet…….Professional photographer.
Literature & Poetry
Gloria Naylor…… Novelist. Winner of the prestigious National Book Award in 1983 for The Women of Brewster Place (Viking Press).
Sports
Vince Carter……… Pro basketball superstar currently with the Toronto Raptors.
Education
Eddie Glaude……….. Professor of Religion and African American Studies at Princeton University.
News Media
Tiffany Black……. At the age of 23, she is an online editor of Philadelphia Inquirer.
Religion
Yolanda D. Lehman…… Pastor of the multi-ethnic African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in St Cloud, Minnesota.
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