Program overview
Program requirements
Acquired skills
University education stimulates the development of many valuable skills transferable to the workplace. Employers increasingly demand a set of skills from their employees; communication, research, data use, analytical, decision-making, problem-solving, planning and organizational, responsibility, adaptability and autonomy, and teamwork skills are sought after. While they can seem limited to each program of study, skills are adaptable and extendable to a variety of situations and they can also be used to acquire other aptitudes and abilities hence ensuring the development and advancement of ones career (to further develop your skill set, see Experience section). The list of skills below can then help in the process of choosing occupations that best fit your education and aptitudes and it can also be used to communicate your employability.
Skills
General Skills
- Strong critical, analytical and research skills, as well as the ability to articulate persuasive arguments
- Qualitative and quantitative methods skills
- Ability to understand and improve human relationships
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Ability to carry out tasks with thoroughness and precision
Specific Skills
- Understanding of social causes that explain why new rights are claimed, resisted, adopted and violated
- Ability to analyze the application and development of international human rights law
- Strong research skills and knowledge in human rights principles
- Ability to identify discrimination and injustice in society through critical thinking
Further studies
Many graduate programs are available for people with an undergraduate degree interested in expanding their knowledge, specializing or conducting research. The graduate programs below are examples selected from the list of graduate programs offered by the University of Ottawa. While they are related to this program of study, it is important to consult the admission requirements of the programs as not all types of degrees qualify one for admission. Moreover, additional programs and other universities could be considered depending on your career plan.
Graduate programs
- Conflict Studies (MA)
- Criminology (MCA, MA, PhD)
- Political Science (MA, PhD)
- Counselling and Spirituality (Graduate Certificate, MA, PhD)
- Public and International Affairs (MA)
- Public Ethics (Graduate Certificate, MA)
- Globalization and International Development (MA)
Potential occupations
Universities studies lead to multiple occupations. Furthermore, certain professions require talent, special aptitudes, additional skills and experience beyond degrees themselves. By targeting a profession, it can make decisions easier during your schooling, throughout your job search and, finally, when choosing among job offers. The choices can change over time based on academic, personal, and professional paths and on the knowledge of occupations and of the labour market.
In order to list your choices, visit the Job Bank Canada website and, using the National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes, view job postings, wages, employment prospects and other important information that can help you make a decision. If need be, additional and complementary information can be found via two online career exploration tools (Careercruising and Choices Planner)* also designed to facilitate your career advancement. The occupations found below are examples derived from the National Occupational Classification. They are presented by their occupational group title, in bold, followed by bulleted occupational titles specific to the program of study. Immediately after the occupational titles, the hyperlinked NOC code for the occupational group is provided. Overall, the occupations are presented side by side with their employment requirements and the establishments where to find a job.
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 is the authoritative resource on occupational information in Canada providing a standard taxonomy and framework for dialogue on Labour Market Information. It gathers more than 30,000 occupational titles into 500 Unit Groups, organized according to skill levels and skill types.
Occupations related to this program
Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers
- Human Rights Commission officer
- International aid and development project officer
- International relations specialist
- Junior Advisor
- Peace researcher
- Policy analyst, immigration
- Refugee affairs program officer
- Social science researcher
A bachelor's degree in a social science or related discipline; a master's degree in a social science or related discipline or in business administration may be required
Program officers unique to government
- Aboriginal land claims liaison officer
- Federal and provincial relations officer
- Foreign service officer
- Intergovernmental affairs officer
- Refugee board member
A bachelor's degree is usually required; a master's degree may be required; several years of experience as a researcher, consultant or program administrator may be required; foreign service officers are accepted on the basis of competitive examination
Other managers in public administrations
- Federal-provincial relations director
- Intergovernmental affairs director
A bachelor's degree in a social science discipline; many years of experience in developing government policies, research or program administration or in a profession related to the social sciences, law, or business administration are usually required
Social and community service workers
- Crisis intervention worker
- Social rehabilitation officer
- Social services agent
A bachelors degree in a social science or health-related discipline; social service workers may be required to be a member of a provincial regulatory body in some provinces
Employment insurance, immigration, border services and revenue officers
- Appeal officer
- Immigration inspector
- Immigration officer
A bachelor's degree is usually required; several years of related administrative or regulatory experience may be required; completion of specialized government training
Human resources professionals
- Conciliator
- Mediator
A university degree or college diploma in human resources management or a related field, such as business administration, industrial relations, commerce or psychology; some employers may require human resources professionals to hold a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation
Senior government managers and officials
- Human rights commission chairperson
A university degree or college diploma is usually required; a graduate degree in a related field may be required; several years of managerial experience in the public or private sector are required
Managers in social, community and correctional services
- Manager NGO
- Social services centre director
- Social services centre manager
- Social services department chief
- Social services department head
Managers in social, community and correctional services usually require a master's degree in a social science or administrative discipline; several years of experience in a related occupation, such as a community and social service worker, social or health policy researcher, consultant or program officer, probation or parole officer, or social worker; Managers of associations and membership organizations require extensive experience in a related occupation, trade or industry
Government managers health and social policy development and program administration
- Chief, immigration appeals and litigation government services
- Chief, social programs development government services
- Director, social services government services
- Immigration appeals manager government services
A bachelor's degree in a social science discipline is required; a graduate degree in a social science or an administrative discipline may be required; several years of experience as a social policy researcher, consultant or program officer are usually required
Post-secondary teaching and research assistants
- Discussion group leader post-secondary teaching assistance
- Laboratory assistant, university
- Laboratory supervisor post-secondary teaching assistant
- Post-secondary research assistant
- Post-secondary teaching assistant
- Tutor post-secondary teaching assistant
Enrolment in a university or college program is required
Administrators post-secondary education and vocational training
- Assistant dean
- Dean
- Faculty administrator
Faculty administrators require a graduate degree in a field related to the academic faculty and several years of experience as a university professor or college teacher
Related field
Although many students believe that they will pursue a career path directly connected to their university studies, quite often, graduates tend to work in related fields. Below is a list of possible related fields of work based on a given program of study. These fields present opportunities that are not typically considered as first choices when choosing a career path based on a program of study. Hopefully, this list will allow students to further consider the various fields that are loosely connected to their program of study. These results were compiled through a research of the University of Ottawa's alumni profiles which were found on the business-oriented social networking service, LinkedIn.
Related Fields
- Education
- Healthcare Services
- Research
- Human Resources
- Media and Communication
Acquiring experience
Experience is acquired by participating and trying new personal, educational and professional activities, where it is possible to discover preferences, increase confidence and improve skills. As for professional experience, it is acquired through volunteering, internships, self-employment and full-time or part-time jobs. And certainly, experience working on campus or in other settings adds to the set of skills acquired in your degree (see Acquired Skills section). The Employability Skills 2000+ presenting the skills employers look for in their employees as well as its complementary checklist can help target experience opportunities that will improve your skill set necessary for employment. In addition to developing these skills, performing work related to your program of study can strengthen your expertise and increase your employability.
All examples of volunteer experience and potential employers were selected specifically for this area of study and according to occupational groups in which it is possible to acquire experience. Examples of volunteer organizations in Canada and abroad are preceded by a list of directories that can help to find more volunteer opportunities. Examples of potential employers in Canada and abroad have been compiled in light of events held in partnership with employers, searches in company directories and well-established rankings.
Volunteer opportunities
In addition to providing an opportunity to apply theories and knowledge learned during your university studies outside the classroom, in real world situations, volunteering is a way to help the community and its many organizations. The Community Service Learning also allows students to contribute to their community by participating in projects that are related to their program of study.
Directories
- Centraide Outaouais
- Center for Global Community Engagement - University of Ottawa
- E-Blue Book Community Information Centre of Ottawa
- GoAbroad.com
- I-Volunteer.ca
- United Way Ottawa
- Volunteer Ottawa
Canada Abroad
- Canadian Hunger Foundation - CHF
- Canadian Red Cross
- Cansoma Community Development Programs
- Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation
- Eastern Ontario Youth Justice Agency
- Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women - OCTEVAW
- Unicef Canada
- Womens Initiatives for Safer Environments
- British Red Cross
- British Universities North America Club - BUNAC
- Camp Counselors USA - CCUSA
- Canada-Africa Community Health Alliance - CACHA
- Time Bank
- Voluntary Service Overseas - VSO
- World University Service of Canada
Potential employers
The following examples of employers can offer internships or employment opportunities related to students program of studies. The examples are presented according to geographic location: Ottawa and Gatineau, Ontario, Quebec and other provinces.
In Canada
Ottawa/Gatineau Region Ontario
- Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada - AANDC
- Amnesty International
- Canadian Human Rights Commission
- CARE Canada
- Department of Foreign Affairs
- Department of Justice
- Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa
- Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
- Children's Aid Society - CAS
- Kawartha Haliburton Children Aid Society - KHCAS
- Lutherwood Community
- Reena
- Toronto Police Service
Quebec Other provinces and territories
- Commission des normes du travail
- Commission des relations du travail
- Ministère de la Justice
- Ministère de la santé et des services sociaux du Québec - MSSS
- Ministère de la sécurité publique du Québec
- Social Justice Committee
- Alberta Municipal Services Corporation - AMSC
- British Columbia Public Service
- Milieu Children & Family Services
Abroad
The requirements for working abroad consider factors like administrative laws, professional standards and work permits in some countries. To learn about requirements in various countries, visit Skill Clear or MyWorldAbroad (registration with a @uOttawa.ca email is required to use MyWorldAbroad).
Established globally
North America (excluding Canada)
- CARE International
- Center for Victims of Torture - CVT
- Concern Worldwide
- Global Witness
- International Crisis Group - ICG
- International Labour Organization - ILO
- Minority Rights Group International
- Survivors of Incest Anonymous - SIA
- United Nations - UN
- African Development Foundation - USADF
- Coalition on Human Needs
- Customs and Borders Protection - CBP
- Department of Homeland Security
- Heritage Foundation
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Europe
- Belgian Technical Cooperation - BTC
- Caritas International
- Committee of the Regions
- European Centre for Minority Issues - ECMI
- European Court of Human Rights
- Overseas Development Institute - ODI
- ZOA Refugee Care
Asia
Africa
- Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit
- Asian Human Rights Commission - AHRC
- Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace - WISCOMP
- African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
Oceania
Others
Job search resources
The job search resources are designed to stimulate networking activities, develop marketing strategies and facilitate access to job postings. Networking events offer employers the opportunity to learn about the available workforce, and they give students a chance to be considered in the recruitment process. Career Development Centre offers helpful tips on networking, interview preparation techniques and different tools that can also be used to help with the preparation of resumés and cover letters.
Professional organizations
Examples of professional organizations, presented by location, provide essential information on professional development opportunities and networking activities, the examples can also provide access to publications and job opportunities.
Canadian Provincial and territorial
- Alternative Dispute Resolution - ADR - Institute of Canada
- Alternative Dispute Resolution - ADR - Institute of Ontario
- Canadian Civil Liberties Association - CCLA
- Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences - CFHSS
- Family Mediation Canada
- Institut de médiation et d'arbitrage du Québec IMAQ
- Peace and Conflict Studies Association of Canada
- Social Science and Humanities Research Council - SSHRC
- United Nations Association in Canada - UNA
American International
- Alternative Dispute Resolution - ADR - Resources - US
- Association for the Taxation of Financial Transactions for the Aid of Citizens - ATTAC
- Cyber Conflict Studies Association
- International Association for Peace and Conflict Studies
- International Association for Social Science Information Service and Technology -IASSIST
- International Corrections and Prisons Association - ICPA
- International Peace Research Association Foundation
- Peace and Justice Studies Association
- Society for the Study of Social Problems
- Young Professionals in Foreign Policy
Job search sites
Here are a few websites posting jobs available in Canada and abroad related to this field of study.
Canadian International
- H Net - Humanities and Social Sciences Online
- Human Rights Jobs
- Policy Jobs
- Careers United
- Public Service Careers
- Relief Web
Date modified : 2016-06-13