Indigenous Studies Career Paths
Why Study Australian Indigenous
Many people come to study Australian Indigenous Studies because they have a personal desire to gain a better understanding of Australian Indigenous peoples and cultures. Others wish to enhance their understanding of Australian history and current issues of national significance such as reconciliation, land rights and Australian identity. Such outcomes confirm that Australian Indigenous Studies excels in equipping students for 'citizenship' ensuring they are informed members of our democratic society.
This is rewarding if you view the objective of tertiary education as assess to a broad liberal arts education. For most students, however, tertiary education is primarily considered a pathway to improved employment outcomes and in this respect Australian Indigenous Studies is often considered irrelevant.
How Taking Australian Indigenous Studies Can Help
These are just some of the skills developed by students who undertake Australian Indigenous Studies:
- Written and oral communication
- Research and presentation skills
- Analysing and using information
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Collaboration, discussion and debate
- Self-expression and self-reliance
- Reflection and critical judgement
- The ability to deal with people
- Cross-cultural communication skills
- Expertise in Indigenous affairs
What are the potential careers?
Graduates of Australian Indigenous Studies are found in occupations throughout the economy. Some work in the private sector, many work in the public sector.
In the private sector graduates are increasingly sought by Australian industry in areas such as mining, agriculture, tourism and the arts. They fulfil a range of tasks from policy advisors, community liaison and economic development, applied research and human resource management. Law graduates with an appreciation of Australian Indigenous issues are also increasingly valued by the private sector, as industry is required to negotiate with people over land usage consistent with land and native title rights.
In the public sector graduates work as policy, financial and legal advisors, administrators, managers and researchers. In education, teaching graduates with an appreciation of Australian Indigenous issues are highly sought for positions in rural and remote schools or in other schools supportive of Indigenous studies programmes.
These various employment outcomes indicate that Australian Indigenous Studies can provide students entering the job market with both specialist skills and a broad general education. Both are important given that current employment trends and jobs demand that graduates be highly flexible, adaptable and committed to ongoing education.
While specialist skills enable graduates to work in a range of occupations that directly interact with Australian Indigenous people and communities, the broader general educational benefits of Australian Indigenous Studies provides graduates with transferable cross cultural communication skills that are extremely useful for working in a multicultural society like Australia.
A major in Indigenous Studies can unlock the door to a multitude of options for both career and further study. Indigenous Studies units provide a range of skills useful in the ever-changing modern work environment. As an AIS major, you will have general, portable and lasting skills, which will enable you to take on challenging jobs and adapt and grow into the jobs of the future.
Your AIS Major Will Contribute to You Embarking
- Employment in Indigenous organisations - government, non-government or community organisations
- Journalism
- Editing, writing, publishing
- Law, Justice Department and Aboriginal Legal Services
- Business research and analysis, corporate or community management
- Human resources - training and development
- Administration in public or private sector
- Diplomacy, foreign affairs, and politics: (Monash seems to be a good training ground for politicians!)
- Teaching (with the additional education qualification); education administration
- Tourism, hospitality, leisure and entertainment industries
- Library services, museum and public history administration
- Whatever you want to be.
Testimonies
"I majored in Indigenous Studies because I am an Aboriginal person and needed to know all I can about Indigenous history and issues. It's important that students think about doing something in Indigenous Studies so as not to be ignorant about my people and the issues facing them. Non-Indigenous students could play an important role in reconciliation by overcoming community ignorance about dispossession and ongoing racism. Think about doing Indigenous Studies in your degree, it will enrich your life and help your under- standing of Australian history … I'm now studying Law and my Indigenous Studies major has helped me enormously."
Lynda Nicholson - Arts/Law student at Monash University 2002
"As a student majoring in Australian Indigenous Studies, I was able to learn about and engage with Indigenous issues on a deeper level. The staff at CAIS were also very supportive of my community-based research. If you are interested in working with or creating links in the Indigenous community, I recommend studying AIS at Monash."
Liam Campbell - PhD candidate 2008
"I would recommend studying AIS because it not only increases your employment opportunities as an Arts student, but it also gives you the chance to explore yourself as a person. I majored in AIS because I want to work in an area that makes a difference. I am now an Honours student, and because of studying Indigenous Studies I have an understanding of Indigenous communities and the issue they face in Australia today and in the past."
Rose Quinn- graduated BA with major in AIS, 2001
I'm now employed as a project officer, running forums for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in the areas of reconciliation,Treaty and health. I believe it is vital for Australians to properly engage in the black history and contemporary issues facing Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. A major in Indigenous Studies is the best wa y to do this. To explore the issues, to better your understanding of Indigenous issues and to examine your role in all of it…...
Nick Cowan- graduated BA major in AIS, 2001
The Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies at Monash University prides itself on the quality of its teaching and the accessibility of its staff. By studying with us you will be encouraged to engage in what it means to be an Australian today, how our history might have unfolded differently, how Australia can further enhance its democratic ideals. By learning more about Australian Indigenous peoples, cultures and histories you will embark on a journey to discover more about yourself and non-Indigenous Australian society.