Opportunities
Career Opportunities
| Graduate Profile |
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Filipo Levi |
The choice to include Pacific Islands Studies in your BA could be a very rewarding one for you, and not just in terms of the fascinating topics that you will be studying. Graduates with a background of study in this area bring to employers very strong generic skills in communication, team work and independent judgment, as well as an ability to relate to people from a wide range of backgrounds. In addition the multidisciplinary focus of the course gives graduates a much wider perspective, combining an understanding of contemporary Pacific people's issues with history, archaeology, cultural expression and environmental concerns. All this, combined with an awareness of ethical issues in relation to Pacific Islanders in the context of past and present colonial practices, gender relations and society and culture makes a graduate of the Pacific Islands course extremely attractive to employers in general.
New Zealand is the world's largest Polynesian country, and the number of institutions and businesses needing employees with knowledge of Pacific culture and society is growing rapidly. Excellent employment prospects await graduate with knowledge of issues affecting Pacific peoples and skills in intercultural communication in the Pacific context. Government ministries, businesses, social agencies and educational institutions, whether their focus is in the Pacific or not, are all seeking staff who have these attributes.
More specifically, a major in Pacific Islands Studies is particularly useful to social workers, teachers, policy analysts, government officials and ministers of religion. It can also complement other academic subjects including anthropology, history, law, medicine, commerce, physical education, nutrition, political studies and education.
A background in Pacific Islands Studies opens international links in careers working with other Pacific peoples in the Americas and Australia. The knowledge gained in the course is equally applicable in an international career involved with issues affecting indigenous peoples anywhere in the world.
It's worthwhile bearing in mind that having more than one qualification, for example, a double degree, a double major or a major and minor subject in the BA will make you more marketable and attractive to prospective employers.