American Civilization

The beauty of a liberal arts education is that it challenges students to develop a wide range of universally applicable and life-enriching skills, so your major is less representative of your abilities than it is of your interests. In other words, you can do just about anything with any degree. The following entry-level jobs are typical of those that majors in American Civilization pursue because jobs like these make use not only of the broad liberal-arts skill set, but also of the interests cultivated in the American Civilization curriculum.

The Roanoke Times, Roanoke, VA: Features Reporter
The Roanoke Times seeks a reporter who's plugged in to pop culture and likes trolling for trend stories in every corner of the universe, whether it's reality TV, the buzzworthy online or what's happening at the mall. (from JournalismJobs.com)
The National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis, TN: Development Assistant
Provides support services to the Director of Development and maintains records relevant to the development efforts of the National Civil Rights Museum. Duties include, but are not limited to, data entry, providing analytical reports, assisting with office mailings, preparing donor lists, coordinating the office's central filing system, answering phones and greeting visitors. Must have excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office products, including Excel and Word and recent experience using them. Experience with Raiser's Edge fundraising software is preferred. The National Civil Rights Museum is an equal opportunity employer. (globalmuseum.org)
Indian Law Resource Center, Washington, DC: Administrative Assistant
The Washington, D.C. office of the Indian Law Resource Center seeks an Administrative Assistant on a part time or full time basis. The job involves both administrative and program elements, but is at least 50% administrative; program elements will depend on the background and abilities of the applicant. Spanish language ability is very desirable. The successful candidate will provide overall administrative and logistical support necessary to ensure smooth operations and overall programmatic achievement. (Idealist.org)

• Formula PR, Marina Del Rey, CA: Account Coordinator
  Formula PR, a national public relations agency, seeks a bilingual account coordinator for its Los Angeles-based sports and entertainment division. Person must be able to speak and write fluently in Spanish and English. Responsibilities include writing press releases and other communications, pitching media, and coordinating promotions and events for clients such as ESPN Deportes, Newcastle Brown Ale, and Guitar Center. Ideal candidate is a smart, creative, multi-tasker with a great disposition and fun personality. (workinpr.com)

The following is a very short list of the types of internships typically pursued by majors in American Civilization:

Detroit Free Press - Interns work side-by-side with professional journalists, taking progressively more ambitious assignments while being supported by editors and professional partners.
CBS Television - Communications Internship Program (Media Relations/Public Relations) - Interns work in the New York Communications department, which handles entertainment publicity, corporate communications, and broadcast/radio PR.
Massachusetts Cultural Council - Interns in the Folk Arts & Heritage Program will assist with ongoing fieldwork, research, writing, and related activities in preparation for a major folk art exhibition and catalog at the National Heritage Museum.
America Online – Interns in AOL Corporate Communications gain hands-on experience, industry insight and skills training in the dynamic Communications department of one of the largest Internet companies in the world. Interns participate in creative brainstorming sessions, develop and execute communications campaigns, handle research projects, staff special events and support departmental programs.
The Cartoon Network - Interns assist in supporting the office and our acquired programming initiatives in all administrative and creative functions, while gaining awareness of all facets of the children's programming business. Interns' duties will serve as a combination of administrative/office management and creative analysis of children's media properties.

• 20th Century Fox – Legal interns work on Legal and Business Affairs-related activities which may include developing talent lists, identifying talent representation, learning about packaging, and working with contractual details. Other duties may include supporting assistants and executives with copying documents and other office duties, providing coverage to members of the department, and helping executives with various research projects.

Here are the job titles and employers of a few Middlebury alumni who majored in American Civilization or American Studies. If you'd like to speak with an alumnus or alumna about his or her career, or ask for advice about your own, then search MiddNet for an alumni career advisor today!
 

Project Assistant, Boston Redevelopment Authority, Boston, MA
(American Civilization) Planner, Old Navy Company Planning, Gap, Inc., San Francisco, CA
(American Civilization; M.B.A., Santa Clara University) Library Media Specialist, City of Methuen Public Schools, Methuen, MA
(American Studies; M.L.S. Simmons College) Deputy General Counsel, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, CA
(American Studies; J.D. Georgetown University) Director, Group Advertising, Hearst Magazines, Chicago, IL
(American Studies)
• Corporate Vice President, Paine Webber, Boston, MA
  (American Studies)

Listed below are some of the graduate schools attended, and degrees attained, by Middlebury alumni who majored in American Civilization or American Studies:
 

University of Vermont: M.Ed, Ed.D (American Studies) Case Western Reserve University: J.D. (American Studies) George Washington University: M.T.A., Sports Management (American Civilization) Pace University: M.S.; New York University: M.B.A. (American Studies)
• Harvard University: M.B.A. (American Studies)

Read a book. The following books, available for perusal in the CSO Library, may be of particular interest to American Civilization majors:

Careers in Marketing, Lila B. Stair and Leslie Stair How to Succeed in Advertising When All You Have is Talent, Laurence Minsky and Emily Thornton Calvo Careers for History Lovers and Others Who Can Learn from the Past, Blythe Camenson Great Jobs for History Majors, Julie DaGalan and Stephen Lambert Hollywood 101, Frederick Levy
• Vault Guide to Consulting (also available online in PDF form)

Use the Web. The following Web sites may be useful:

"What Can I Do with this Degree?" PDF guide from the University of Tennesee, Knoxville  Monster's Major to Career Converter CSO's Virtual Career Library
• Ferguson's Career Research Center (accessible through the CSO Password Page)

More Resources and Services

Stop by CSO for a Drop-In, or call to make an appointment with a counselor to talk about contacting alumni, assessing your career interests/preferences, and other actions you can take to prepare yourself for the transition from Middlebury to the professional world.