Career
A degree in human rights opens career options in a variety of fields. Our students’ ability and passion to view societal concerns from a human rights lens and address issues of major social concern naturally guide them to careers in the public and non-profit sectors; however, they also learn skills that are applicable in the private sector (e.g. critical thinking, quantitative and qualitative literacy, and facilitating conversations on controversial topics). As human rights touches upon multiple dimensions of the human experience, including social and political rights – as well as educational, health, and economic opportunities – this field of study can be very beneficial to careers in many fields.
What Can I Do with This Major?
Career opportunities for HRT students include (but are not limited to) the following sectors:
- Public Administration
- Law (including public, private, and international law)
- Journalism
- Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs)
- Public Relations
- Social Advocacy
- Community and Social Services
- Civic and Social Organizations
- Teaching (both locally and abroad)
- Marketing and Advertising
- Intergovernmental Organizations
Start your career search here at UAB. To talk about professional opportunities in human rights, make an appointment with the program director or contact us. In addition, the UAB Career Center has job and internship listings, job fairs, resume builders, and many more resources for UAB students.
Engagement
Undergraduate Internships
Students pursuing a degree in human rights are well-positioned to pursue an internship at the Institute for Human Rights (IHR). The IHR offers undergraduate internships in which interns support the Institute by organizing events, publishing research relating to the IHR’s mission, posting on the IHR Blog, and engaging in outreach and marketing.
Positions are usually available in the fall and can be for one or more academic years. Subscribe to the IHR Newsletter to be informed about opportunities.
Conferences, Speaker Events, and Community Engagement
Students have the opportunity to engage with human rights issues on campus by attending the many events and conferences hosted by the IHR. These events cover a variety of local, national, and global topics and highlight human rights violations and successes affecting different groups of people in all parts of the world.
Student Groups
Students can also gain leadership and organizational skills by affiliating with and participating in student organizations with a human rights focus. These include, among others:
- Students for Human Rights
- Free Food For Thought
- Social Justice Advocacy Council
- Disability Advocates Organization
- Green Initiative at UAB
- Feminist
- Queer Peers
- Student Multicultural Programs
- BMEN and BWOMEN
- Best Buddies
- Serve205