Careers by Major - Diaspora and Transnational Studies

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Careers for graduates

There are many different career options available for diaspora and transnational studies graduates. Below is a sample of types of positions available to graduates.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list as there are many other careers available. Many positions require additional education or experience.

  • Multicultural Education Specialist
  • Immigration Officer*
  • Acquisitions Editor
  • Public Relations Specialist*
  • Interpreter*
  • Foreign Language Instructor*
  • Civil Litigator*
  • Urban Planner / Planner*
  • Child and Youth Worker*
  • Lobbyist*
  • Community Mediator / Mediator*
  • Community Interpreter
  • Probation Officer*
  • Community Justice Coordinator
  • Public Policy Analyst*
  • Professor*
  • Market Research Analyst*
  • Settlement Worker
  • Abuse/Crisis Counsellor
  • Television and Radio Reporter*
  • Marriage and Family Therapist
  • Demographer
  • Campaign & Advocacy Manager
  • Researcher*
  • International Hotel Manager
  • Crime Prevention Youth Coordinator
  • Crime Prevention Specialist
  • Employment Consultant
  • Recreation Director
  • Family Court Support Worker
  • Refugee Services Coordinator
  • Communications Specialist*
  • Archivist*
  • Foreign Service Officer*
  • Humanitarian Aid Worker*
  • Paralegal*
  • Adult Education Teacher*
  • Political Aide*
  • Community Program Coordinator
  • Politician*
  • Community Worker*
  • Development Research Coordinator / Fundraiser*
  • Print Journalist*
  • Activist*
  • Importer/Exporter*
  • Director of Volunteers / Volunteer Manager*
  • Social Worker*
  • Diversity Coordinator
  • Translator*
  • Rehabilitation Counsellor*
  • Public Health Nurse*
  • Resident Care Aide
  • Policy Development Officer
  • Information Officer
  • Press Secretary
  • Public Relations Consultant
  • Publicist
  • Logistics Specialist*
  • Customs Broker*

Note: career profiles for many of the above jobs are available in the Career Centre. Those marked with an asterisk(*) can be viewed using Career Cruising, a Canadian electronic career guide available through your Career Centre Online account.

Who employs graduates from this program?

  • Universities and Colleges
  • Non-profit Organizations
  • Consulting Firms
  • Humanities Research & Development Services
  • Boards of Education
  • Public Relations Firms
  • Insurance companies
  • Social Advocacy Groups
  • Hospitals and Medical Research facilities
  • Community Development Agencies
  • Government and legal agencies
  • Unions and workers’ compensation boards
  • Publishing Houses
  • Newspapers and Magazines
  • Cultural Organizations

Skills developed by students in this program

  • Adapt to other cultures
  • Communicate across cultures/languages
  • Conceptualize and implement projects
  • Influence and persuade people/groups
  • Interpret issues and data
  • Mediate/negotiate conflicts
  • Plan long term projects
  • Recognize cultural differences/similarities
  • Synthesize large amounts of information
  • Understand or interpret the present and the past

Some content adapted from: University of Toronto Scarborough, Academic Advising and Career Centre http://webapps.utsc.utoronto.ca/aaccweb/index.php/career-planning/career-tip-sheets

Sample job listings for graduating students/recent graduates

Below is a sample of the types of positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre for graduating students or recent graduates. To access full-time opportunities (for up to two years after graduation), you must first attend an orientation.  Drop by or call us at 905-828-5451 for more information.

  • Community Mediation Service Worker, St. Stephen’s Community House
  • Settlement Worker – Mandarin and Cantonese, Catholic Crosscultural Services
  • Entry Level Transportation Sales Representative, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.
  • Travel Advisor/Team Administrator, Butterfield & Robinson
  • Community Resource Specialist, East Scarborough Storefront
  • Senior Policy Analyst, Ontario Public Service
  • Community Outreach & Development Coordinator, Parkdale Community Information Centre
  • Anti Violence Youth Coordinator, Riverdale Immigrant Women’s Centre
  • Business Marketing Manager, Riverdale Immigrant Women’s Centre
  • Centre Director, Students for Barrier- Free Access (SBA)
  • Civic Awareness Project Coordinator, Agincourt Community Services Association
  • Media Sales / Publisher, Mediaplanet Publishing House Ltd.
  • Assistant Editor, Annex Business Media
  • Communications Coordinator, St. Paul’s Bloor Street
  • Corporate Communications Specialist, ROBLOX
  • Policy/Program Analyst, Ministry of Government Services
  • Foreign Affairs and International Trade - International Trade officer, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada

How to get experience

Start early by seeking relevant summer, part-time and volunteer opportunities that will help you gain experience and develop the skills that employers want.  Below is a sample of the types of temporary positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre. To access the summer, part-time, temporary and volunteer postings, register with the Career Centre Online.

Summer Positions 

  • Publication Assistant, Carfac Ontario
  • Queer Women’s Outreach Worker, My Sister’s Voice
  • Community Outreach & Development Support, Parkdale Community Information Centre
  • Anti-Racism Coordinator, UTM – Student’s Union
  • Associate Editor, Grey House Publishing Canada
  • Project Assistant, Toronto District School Board
  • Professional Fundraiser, Public Outreach

Part-Time Positions

  • Invigilator Position, U of T – Test & Exam Services
  • High School Liaison/Recruiter, UTM Office of the Registrar
  • Support Worker, Family Service Toronto
  • Historical Researcher, The History Group Inc.
  • Recreation Group Coordinator, Epilepsy Toronto
  • Student Assistant, The Princeton Review
  • Court Reporter, Henderson Reporting & Transcribing
  • Coordinator, U of T Science for Peace

Work-Study Positions

Previous postings have included:

  • Student Liaison, UTM Department of English & Drama
  • Editorial Assistant, UTM Historical Studies
  • Communications Assistant, UTM Department of Management
  • Research Assistant, Family-planning and Adoption in China, UTM Department of Sociology
  • International Student Affairs, UTMSU, UTM-Student Affairs & Services
  • Programs and Initiatives Coordinator, UTM Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre
  • Career Assistant, UTM Career Centre
  • Student Ambassador, Tour Guide, UTM Office of the Registrar

Extern Job Shadowing Program

Extern is a career exploration program that offers you the opportunity to meet with people working in your preferred career area for placements of 1-5 days.

Samples of previous Extern placements include:

  • Settlement Counselling, Skills For Change
  • Urban Planning, Urban Strategies Inc.
  • Journalist, The Globe & Mail
  • Social Program Specialist, Ministry of Children and Youth Services
  • Program Development Manager – International Development, Youth Challenge International

Volunteer Positions

  • Volunteer Site Supervisor, Working Women Community Centre
  • Events Coordinator, Habitat Youth Coalition
  • Researcher, Virtual Team Builders
  • Childcare Program Assistant, College-Montrose Children’s Place
  • Volunteer Peer Mentor, UTM AccessAbility Resource Centre
  • Communications Volunteer, Swapsity
  • Administrative Assistant, Rooftops Canada/ Abri International
  • Media Monitor, New Democratic Party of Ontario (NDP)
  • Researcher/Writer, Earth Reform Inc.

Don't forget about U of T Mississauga alumni!

Check out our Alumni Profiles page, to read profiles of UTM alumni who have studied in this area, find out about their career path and how their experiences have affected their career direction.

Research Opportunity Program (ROP) at UTM

UTM's Research Opportunity Program (ROP) allows students in their second and third year to earn one full course credit by participating in a faculty member's research project. Check the ROP website for information about the program including application deadlines.

Professional Associations

Each industry has affiliated associations. There are many benefits of becoming a member of an association, such as stating your affiliation on your resume.  In addition to your experiences and the completion of your university degree, a student membership in an association is one way to get an edge in the job market.  It also furthers your knowledge of a particular field.

Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI)
“OCASI was formed in 1978 to act as a collective voice for immigrant-serving agencies and to coordinate response to shared needs and concerns. OCASI is a registered charity governed by a volunteer board of directors. Its membership is comprised of more than 200 community-based organizations in the province of Ontario.”

Canadian Council on Social Development (CCSD)
“The CCSD is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization, which was founded in 1920.  Their mission is to develop and promote progressive social policies inspired by social justice, equality and the empowerment of individuals and communities.  They do this through research, consultation, public education and advocacy.”

Canadian Centre for Diversity
“The Canadian Centre for Diversity is a national educational charity that informs and educates Canadians about the value of diversity, difference and inclusion.   They work to eliminate prejudice and discrimination through the advancement of education and public awareness and to provide information and public education concerning attitudes that lead to prejudice and discrimination.

Resources

Career Centre Library Resources:

  • Career Cruising
  • Becoming a Mediator
  • Careers in Community Development
  • Careers in Fundraising
  • Careers in Nonprofit and Government Agencies
  • Careers for Good Samaritans & Other Humanitarian Types
  • Ready, Set, Hired! A Practical Guide to Starting a Career with the Canadian Government
  • Careers in International Affairs

Career Centre Library Panel Packages:

  • Networking Night: Non-Profit Industry (2011)
  • Diversity Matters: A Wealth of Career Opportunities (2008)
  • Careers with a Conscience (2006)
  • Careers in Activism (2005)

Web Links:

Other Organizations

The Career Centre Resource Library is located in DV 3094. For more information please visit us, call 905-828-5451 or e-mail: careers.utm@utoronto.ca

What's your next step? Take a look at our Sample Career Plan to see suggested steps that you can take towards developing your career-work search plan. Check our Events Calendar regularly for upcoming career related events (we offer several networking events and panels throughout the year). Watch for our Get Experience Fair (held annually in September), the Graduate and Professional School Fair (held annually in late September or early October), and the Summer Job Fair (held annually in January).