Culture and Expression | Career Centre

Have you always been fascinated by the depth, breadth and sheer diversity of human creativity and expression? Do you want to study how human imagination and artistic forms are used to express various cultural concerns? Offered by the Department of Humanities, the Culture and Expression major will expose you to the diverse expressions of human creativity in art, media, technology and popular culture. You will explore how culture is conceptualized and expressed and how social constructs, artistic forms, and political expression are used to define different cultures and ideas.

Career Options in Culture and Expression

Below is a sample list of some future choices to explore following studies in Culture and Expression. This list is not exhaustive but it provides a solid idea of what fellow graduates have gone on to do and what potential careers a Culture and Expression degree can offer. Some options are more directly associated with specific areas of Culture and Expression than others.

Aboriginal Activist
Archivist
Art Dealer
Author
Brand Strategist
Canadian History Professor
Children’s Rights Activist
Communications Consultant
Community Educator
Cultural Consultant
Cultural Program Director
Education Policy Consultant
Diplomat
Economist
Entrepreneur
Ethics Board Director
Event Planner
Fundraising Coordinator
Health Policy Advisor
Immigration Office
Journalist
Lawyer

Legislative Aide
Librarian
Local Historian
Lobbyist
Marketing Director
Media Correspondent
Mediator
Museum Curator
Non-Profit Organization Director
Political Advisor/Consultant
Public Relations Representative
Public Policy Researcher
Publisher
Psychologist
Social Service Worker
Song Writer
Speech Writer/ Translator
Teacher
Television Producer
UN Representative

Some of these career choices may require additional education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential education or professional formative courses and exams. For a more in-depth description of some of the careers mentioned above visit Career Cruising (login information can be found on the home page of the Career Centre's online system) or the National Occupational Classification website.

Skills Developed through a Culture and Expression Degree

A background in Culture and Expression ensures that you develop the skills and mindset to tackle many different professional challenges. Here are just a few of the skills a Culture and Expression degree can help you develop:

Core Culture and Expression Skills

Exposure to the theoretical underpinnings of the concept of culture and understanding of the social, economic and political contexts in which culture presents itself.
Comprehension how societies communicate values through the expression of cultural and artistic forms.
Understanding of how historical and contemporary themes are presented and defined through cultural forms as music, popular culture, cinema and literature.

Communication, Data Gathering and Organizational Skills

The ability to present your thoughts clearly and intelligently in written statements and written opinion pieces
Deduction of information from various sources and the ability to concentrate on relevant resources
The capacity to critically analyze problems, think creatively and make sound decisions while considering different sides of an argument
The ability to explain complex ideas clearly to others and to apply complex theoretical concepts to everyday practice and professional dilemmas
The skills to collect various types of information, assess them, analyze and incorporate potential linkages from different fields, put them into writing and efficiently convey your message and the goal of your work

Management and Teamwork

The ability to interpret and analyze information presented by peers and efficiently and constructively support or challenge their proposals, theories, ideas and reports in order to achieve a project’s intended and successful end result
The capacity to lead and interact with a variety of people with different approaches and personal and professional backgrounds
Skills enabling you to work effectively in group situations, partaking in decision-making, leading and contributing in various capacities to the ultimate success of the team and task
The capability to identify priorities and proper courses of action, to plan the execution of tasks and to determine and delegate responsibilities to group members to most effectively carry out projects

Professional Associations and Organizations

Knowing the industry and how to excel in it after receiving a degree are key elements of future success. University study sets up the building blocks you will need to develop and enhance your understanding and knowledge in your career. Being part of a professional organization or network and gaining further insight through training are excellent ways of increasing your knowledge of the field. The following is a selection of organizations related to the field of Culture and Expression that you may want to visit as you research career options for Culture and Expression graduates.