American studies

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Advertising account executive
• Broadcast journalist
• Digital copywriter
• Digital marketer
• Magazine journalist
• Media buyer
• Public relations officer
• Secondary school teacher

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Business development manager
• Event manager
• Information officer
• Marketing executive
• Museum/gallery curator
• Social media manager
• Web content manager
• Writer

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

Build experience in areas that interest you through:

• internships
• placements
• student societies
• volunteering.

You could write for a student newspaper, produce radio or video content, support a museum or heritage project, or help a charity with campaigns, events or social media. These activities can help you test career ideas, build contacts and collect examples for applications and interviews.

Choose experience that develops skills relevant to the roles you are considering. For example, look for opportunities in communications, education, heritage, marketing, publishing or public engagement. University projects can also provide useful evidence of research, digital production, teamwork and presenting ideas clearly.

If your course includes study in the United States, use the time to explore voluntary work, campus roles or internships where your visa conditions allow. You could also consider a structured summer programme. Check eligibility, costs, visa requirements and safeguarding arrangements before you apply. Living and studying abroad can strengthen your independence, cultural awareness and ability to adapt.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

As an American studies graduate, you can find opportunities in organisations including:

• accountancy and banking firms
• advertising, marketing, PR and social media agencies
• charities and non-governmental organisations
• event management companies
• film, television and media organisations
• local and national government
• management consultancies
• museums, galleries and heritage organisations
• publishing companies
• retail organisations
• schools and higher education institutions.

Find information on employers in marketing, advertising and PR, media and internet, and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

American studies is an interdisciplinary subject that explores the history, literature, politics and culture of the United States - allowing you to compare evidence and viewpoints across different subjects. The skills you develop are useful in many careers and include:

• analytical and critical thinking - assessing complex ideas, sources and arguments
• collaboration - contributing effectively to group projects and presentations
• communication - explaining ideas clearly in writing, discussion and presentations
• cultural awareness - understanding different perspectives and contexts
• digital skills - creating and presenting research using a range of platforms and formats
• research - finding, evaluating and using evidence from varied sources
• self-management - working independently, organising projects and meeting deadlines.

If your degree includes study abroad, you can also develop independence, cultural awareness and confidence in adapting to new surroundings and approaches to learning.

Further study

Some graduates continue with an MA, MRes or PhD in American studies or a related subject, such as history, literature, politics or cultural studies. Further academic study can support a research or university career, but check course content, funding and entry requirements before applying.

If you have a particular career in mind, a vocational qualification may be more suitable. Options include:

• accountancy
• human resource management
• journalism
• law
• marketing
• museum studies
• publishing
• teaching.

Check job descriptions and professional-body guidance to find out whether a postgraduate qualification is required or preferred.

For more information on further study and finding a course that interests you, see Masters degrees and search postgraduate courses in American studies.

What do American studies graduates do?

The five most commonly reported occupations of American studies graduates are:

• secondary education teaching professionals (7%)
• coffee shop workers (5%)
• business sales executives (5%)
• sales and retail assistants (5%)
• receptionists (4%).

Find out what other American studies graduates are doing 15 months after finishing their degrees in What do graduates do?

Graduate Outcomes survey data from HESA.