Career and Graduate Opportunities

The Master of Indigenous Studies will not only provide its graduates with a life-altering educational intervention, but also innumerable career opportunities. Undoubtedly, the consciousness raising of Indigenous peoples globally has caused Indigenous concerns to become some of the most prevalent issues in contemporary society. Bodies and institutes in all realms of society, including the political, business, historical, sociological, health and educational arenas, have all become accountable to providing services that are suitable to the needs of Indigenous peoples. Consequently, as people become increasingly aware of this accountability, scholars who have demonstrated competency in understanding the issues surrounding Indigenous peoples and methods of working alongside Indigenous communities will become increasingly sought after for their expertise.

Moreover, as the challenge to the normalcy of mainstream culture advances, so too does the acceptance of alternative ways of viewing the world. Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars will become the bearers of alternative knowledges that can aid in the progression of society in general, concurrently, however, they will also be the protectors of Indigenous knowledge. Likewise, in a global employment market that is increasingly seeking graduates that can recognise the diversity and multiplicity of a society in transformation, the multi-disciplinary and varied nature of the MIndS programme will make its graduates extremely attractive to employers in general.

More specifically, a degree in MIndS is particularly useful to graduates entering professions such as academia, professional research (e.g. political, historical or colonial analysis), politics or government, public and private sector policy advice, social work, education, international relations, tourism, marketing, health professions, library/information technology, and international organisations (e.g. N.G.Os, U.N., Peace Corp., O.X.F.A.M, Greenpeace).

Because of the comparative nature and multi-cultural emphasis of study within the MIndS programme, graduates will be able to take the knowledge learnt and apply it to several contexts including international contexts. The prevalence of Indigenous issues respecting Indigenous/Native/First Nations/Aboriginal peoples is increasing in countries such as the United States (notably First Nations including Huron, Appache, Cheyenne, Wichita, Commanche, Dakota, Cherokee, and Seminole, and Hawaiian Kanaka Maoli) Canada (notably the First Nations including Cree, Inuit, Ojibwe, Montagnai, Nisga’a, and Squamish), Central America (notably the Huichol and Cofan), South America (notably the Inca, Yanomamo, Gahibo and Penare, and Polynesians of Rapa Nui), the Māori in New Zealand, the Koori/Murri/Aborigine in Australia, the Inuit in Greenland, the Saami in Scandinavia, and other Indigenous people in Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania. There is a corresponding increase in the demand for scholars who understand systems of equality and knowledge from an Indigenous perspective.