Women's Studies PhD without going into academia

[gw47]

This may seem like an unusual question, but would I be crazy to get a PhD if I don't plan on going into academia or at least that's not my plan? I'm a rising senior double majoring in women's studies and anthropology in Washington, DC. I would love to continue with women's studies because I really can't imagine doing anything else. But ultimately, I see myself working in some type of women's advocacy group or doing public policy research, not just at the lower level, but really working as a director or high level position.

 

Right now, I'm planning on applying to a few women's studies PhD and master's programs, several liberal studies/arts programs where I can concentrate in women's studies, and a couple anthropology programs where I can do a concentration in gender. 

 

Is this crazy?

[marxistfeministdialectic]

I'm not sure about the PhD but many of the people I did my MA in Gender Studies with have gone on to do NGO work.  I imagine if your research involved advocacy or policy completing a degree in Women's Studies would be good preparation for the kind of career you want.

[NOWAYNOHOW]

This might be a dumb question, but why not get a public policy degree and just focus on issues relevant to women? A lot of public policy departments will have faculty working on women's issues.  Logically, that should get you a lot farther professionally than a humanities degree.  The same goes for an MALS -- it's a risky degree for anyone, but if you aren't going into academia, it's probably especially useless. 

[gw47]

This might be a dumb question, but why not get a public policy degree and just focus on issues relevant to women? A lot of public policy departments will have faculty working on women's issues.  Logically, that should get you a lot farther professionally than a humanities degree.  

 

The problem with that approach is I am not strong in statistics or economics. I really struggled in my Intro to Statistics course and the grade I received is not something I'm proud of. Not only do I doubt that I could gain acceptance to a prestigious or even half way decent public policy program, but if by some miracle I could get in, I don't think I could handle the course work. I've looked at the typical course load for public policy programs and it's almost entirely focused on economics and math. Women's studies is something I excel at and am very passionate about. That's why I think it would be a better choice for graduate school. My only concern is whether I will be able to find some kind of job with my degree (get in line on that one, I know). 

[rising_star]

What about pursuing a MSW?

[ProfLorax]

I have two suggestions for you:

 

1. Look at the department websites and see where alumni end up. I looked at Emory's and UMD's Women's Studies websites, and it seems that most of their alumni end up in academia, but not all of them are in strictly academic positions (a few are directing women's centers and LBGT centers on college campuses). If you notice that all or most grads are ending up in academic positions, that shows you the department will most likely focuses its mentorship and resources on getting its students into academic positions. You may be happier in a program where the grads up in advocacy and non-profit work as well as academic positions. 

 

2. Look at organizations where you could see yourself working and see where the leaders went to school and what they studied. If most of them have degrees in public policy or social work, that shows you something. However, if there is a variety of degrees represented, perhaps work and research experience will be more important than the type of the degree. You could perhaps even contact some folks in the industry and ask what degrees they look for when hiring.

 

Good luck!

[k_angie]

Well it certainly isnt crazy. I plan to apply for masters in the same course and got in touch with few alumni of Oxford and other univs. Some of them did their PhDs and are now working with United Nations esp in the UN Women dept. They didnt want to pursue a scholarly career and be involved in policy making but loved the subject. So well, it really isnt crazy if you want dont want to enter academia. 

 

Hope this helps!