Labor Studies term papers

What is Labor Studies?

According to Indiana University, “Labor Studies is an interdisciplinary field that deals with work, the workplace, and workers and their organizations.  It draws from the fields of History, Economics, Industrial Relations, Political Science, Law, Sociology, Communication, and Philosophy, as well as other disciplines.  As an academic discipline, Labor Studies educates workers and future workers to strengthen the labor movement and provide a richer understanding of its functions in society.”

 

Majoring or Minoring in Labor Studies

Depending on the educational institute chosen, an individual pursuing a degree in Labor Studies has several different choices on how he/she can obtain it.  Specifically, a student may pursue a Labor Studies degree through either an undergraduate, graduate, or certificate granting program.  In an undergraduate program, a student can choose to pursue Labor Studies as either a major, obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree, or as a minor while obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree for a different major.  In a graduate program, a student can obtain a Master’s Degree in Labor Studies.  A Labor Studies education is also available in a two year Associate’s Degree program or through a certificate granting program, while a student is pursuing a higher degree, generally either a Bachelor’s or a Master’s Degree in another field.     

 

Basics of Labor Studies

According to Cornell University, which has an extensive Labor Studies program, Labor Studies curriculum “provides the skills training necessary to be an effective practitioner in the field of labor and industrial relations.  It provides a comprehensive examination of the changing nature of work, the impact of government policies, and the role of the labor movement in the social, economic, and political development of modern society.”

 

Career Opportunities for Labor Studies Majors

Unlike some other types of liberal arts majors, a degree in Labor Studies provides an individual with a bit more of a narrowed career path.  The curriculum for the major generally prepares students to enter into careers with the following types of businesses or organizations: human resources management, state or federal government agencies, industrial relations, and labor organizations.  Examples of common careers available within these types of business or organizations include: Arbitrator, Dispute Resolution Specialist, Employee Benefits Manager, Employee Welfare Manager, Employee Relations Representative, Human Resources Administrator, Job Analyst, Industrial Relations Director, Federal or State Mediator, Recruiter, Union Staff Representative, Labor Relations Manager, Occupational Analyst, Placement Manager, or Training Specialist.  Labor Studies majors also go on to higher education programs such as law school or doctorate programs.  These individuals open themselves up to an even wider array of career choices than they had with a regular Labor Studies degree.

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