strategic-peacebuilding-paths

What Are the Careers of Peace and Conflict Studies Graduates?

This graphic, developed by Katie Mansfield and John Paul Lederach of the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, shows the general career paths of students in the field of Peace and Conflict Studies. The main areas and the sub-areas are careers focused on:

Violence Prevention, Conflict Response and Transformation

  • Dialogue/Conflict Resolution Strategies
  • Non-Violence Social Change
  • Government and Multi-Lateral Efforts
  • Humanitarian Action

Justice and Healing

  • Restorative Justice
  • Transitional Justice
  • Trauma Healing
Structural and Institutional Change
  • Law: Advocacy and Solidarity
  • Dealing with Transnational and Global Threats
  • Development
  • Education Specific Jobs of Peace Studies Graduates

Here are some actual jobs of graduates in Peace Studies from other programs:

  • Human Rights Officer, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
  • Project Officer, Catholic Relief Services
  • Neighborhood Action Planner, City Commission
  • Researcher and International Relations Expert, Institute for Trade Studies and Research
  • Chief of Media and Public Information, United Nations Development Program
  • Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Specialist
  • Founder and Director, Wi'am Center (Palestinian Conflict Resolution Center)
  • Conflict Transformation Adviser, Danida Human Rights Program
  • National Coordination Officer for Peacebuilding, United Nations Mission
  • Director, Complaints and Legal Services, Ugandan Human Rights Commission
  • Senior Analyst, Office of the Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC)
  • Legal Officer, United Nations International Criminal Tribunal
  • Program Manager - Iraq Refugees, Swiss Agency for Development
  • Psychologist, Alliance For Community Care, specializing in gay youth and refugees
  • Coordinator, Restorative Justice Program, Conflict Mediation Services
  • Victim Contact Worker and Mediator, Restorative Justice Program
  • Refugee Resettlement Program staff member, Catholic Charities
  • Trust Fund Manager, U.N. Trust Fund for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
  • Program Officer for Africa, National Endowment for Democracy
  • Researcher, Conflict and Peace Analysis Unit, Centre for Policy Alternatives

Careers in Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution Webinar

Prof. George Lopez, chair of Peace Studies at University of Notre Dame and the 2013 Brad Morse Scholar at University of Massachusetts Lowell, led a webinar on careers in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. View the webinar, which was supported by the United States Institute of Peace Public Education for Peacebuilding Support Initiative.

Internships

One of the most effective ways of landing a job is to have an internship first. At your internship, you gain critical experience, build important connections, and see if you are a good fit for the organization. Peace and Conflict Studies undergraduate and graduates have the option to do internships with organizations in the field. Master's students can choose to do an internship to fulfill their capstone requirement (instead of a thesis or project). We have relationships with over 50 organizations, ranging from the local to the global. Here are some of the recent internships our students have done:

  • Lowell High School, Peer Mediation
  • City of Lowell Mayor's Office, Legislative Support
  • Lowell Community Health Center, Teen Coalition
  • United Teen Equality Center, Streetworker's Anti-Gang Program
  • Angkor Dance Troupe, Youth Cultural Education
  • Massachusetts Peace Fund, Non-Proliferation Advocacy
  • New England Teamster's Union, Organized Labor
  • International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution
  • Active Non-Violence Education Center, Dharamsala, India
  • Hessiche International University, Germany, Intercultural Communications
  • U.S. State Department (Embassy in Dublin, Ireland)

Congratulations to Ours Recent Graduates!

Here are some of the jobs recent Peace and Conflict BA and MA graduates have attained:

  • Associate Director, Middlesex Law Center
  • Research Analyst, Documentation Center of Cambodia
  • Co-founder, Brighter Future Generations (Counseling Support Organization for Rwandan Youth)
  • Instructor in Mediation, UMass Lowell
  • Immigration Services Staffer, Congresswoman Niki Tsongas' Office
  • 2nd Lieutenant, United States Air Force
  • Study Abroad Counselor, International Experience Office
  • Office Manager, International Institute of New England
  • Education and Outreach Coordinator, The Center for Hope and Healing
  • Advisor, Non-profit Organizations
  • Family Advocate, Emmaus  Inc. in Haverhill
  • Youth Advacote, Emmaus Inc. in Haverhill
  • Assistant Professor in Legal Studies at Middlesex Community College 
  • Gender Equality Specialist, Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO)
  • Executive Director at MetroWest Mediation Services, Framingham, MA
  • Officer, Lowell Association for the Blind

Looking for a job in the field of Peace and Conflict?

Please see the employment resources section or contact us to speak with a professor about finding employment.