Graduates and Careers

Careers with Urban Studies Degrees

Our students are often asked, "What will you do with a degree in Urban Studies?" The honest answer is whatever you want to do. Our undergraduate and graduate programs emphasize content expertise, action research, and skills development. Students write extensively, engage the community in research and engagement projects, and develop the professional skills and networks necessary for the 21st century work, life, and citizenship. Consequently, our graduates go on to a wide variety of occupations, vocations, and positions.

Career Conversations with Grads

Conversations with Grads, 2020, Nov 17.mp4

Conversations with Grads, 2021, March 18.mp4

Here is a sampling of the employers who have hired our graduates and the type of work they do.

Types of Employers

Federal, State, and Local Government Agencies and Departments
Nonprofit Organizations
Community-Based Organizations
Advocacy Groups
Private Foundations and Industries
Neighborhood Revitalization Groups
Social Service Offices and Social Work Organizations
K-12 Schools, Colleges, and Universities
Hospitals and Healthcare Organizations
Local Planning/Preservation Agencies
Community Development Corporations
International Development Organizations
Utility and Transportation Companies
Zoning, Planning, or Redevelopment Administrations
Research Institutes and Think-Tanks
Architecture or Engineering Firms
Newspapers, Magazines, & News Agencies
Real Estate Agencies and Construction Companies
Opinion and Research Polling Groups

Types of Industries

Public Administration, Public Policy, and Public Management
Economic & Neighborhood Development
Law & Justice
Transportation, Environmental, Land Use, and City Planning
Historic Preservation and Urban Design
Counseling, Case Management, Advocacy, and Social Work
Nonprofit Management, Planning, and Development
Real Estate, Project Management, and Human Resources
Teaching, Research, Data Analysis, Information Sourcing, and Demography and Social Statistics