Area Studies Career Guide

Consider joining the Human and Public Service Career Community or any other Career Community you are interested in!

Sample Past Internship Sites:

  • Grand Rapids Latin American Film Festival
  • Grand Rapids Public Museum
  • Shakespeare Theatre Company
  • West Michigan Refugee Education and Cultural Center
  • Coca-Cola Company
  • Our Daily Bread
  • Groundswell Community Farm
  • Grand Rapids Economic Development Director
  • City of Holland
  • Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance

Where Alumni Have Landed

  • Program Coordinator – CELT, Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching
  • Associate Underwriter – Auto Owners Insurance
  • Graduate Student, Public Administration – University of Georgia
  • Academic Advisor – Western Michigan University
  • GIS Specialist– ST. Raphael’s Ministry
  • Associate Attorney – Warner, Norcross, and Judd
  • Graduate Assistant– PBB Oral History Project
  • Commercial Property Manager – Onni Group
  • Registered Nurse – University of Michigan Metro Health
  • LLMSW – Wedgewood Christian Services
  • School Social Worker – Chicago Public Schools
  • Digital Marketing Manager – Hollymatic Corp
  • Volunteer Coordinator – Kent District Library
  • Director – Center for Faithful Leadership
  • Zaatari Manager – The Lutheran World Federation
  • Branch Manager – Enterprise Rent-A-Car
  • Creative Director – Theophilus
  • Seminary Student – Calvin Theological Seminary
  • Retired Vice President – Gentex
  • Associate Account Executive – HUB International

Student Organizations to Consider

  • Chinese Language and Culture Student Organization
  • Hearts for Heartside
  • Meeting Professionals International
  • Russian Club
  • Social Innovation Club
  • Social Innovators-GR
  • African Student Council
  • Arab Culture Club
  • Asian Student Union
  • Global Citizens of GVSU
  • Law Society
  • Numerous cultural student organizations

Study Abroad Programs


Develop some of these technical and professional competencies to be successful:

  • Comparing and contrasting multiple perspectives in order to make informed decisions
  • Developing alternative ways to acquire and consider knowledge
  • Presentation, speaking, and writing skills
  • Civic minded and other focused
  • Practically apply synthesized information
  • Problem solving
  • Deep sense of curiosity

Graduate & Professional Programs


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Page last modified December 12, 2022