Academics

Latina/Latino studies graduates have gone on to pursue advanced degrees and find employment in a wide variety of fields. 

What skills do you gain from a degree in Latina/Latino studies? 

The skills you gain with a degree in Latina/Latino studies are highly transferrable across a range of industries and professions.

  • academic advisor sean engages with prospective students

    Deeply critical and analytic thinking

  • Clear, concise, and compelling communication
  • Courage to disagree and think independently
  • Commitment to community and justice
  • Insight into the complexity of solving problems
  • Skill in asking probing and relevant questions
  • Knowledge of Latina/Latino communities and history
  • Experience understanding ambiguity
  • Aptitude for sorting and condensing information
  • Intercultural knowledge and understanding

Explore our undergraduate program

What jobs can I do with a Latina/Latino studies degree?

Latina/Latino studies majors pursue careers in the following fields:

  • woman shares information with student

    Community/Social Service Centers

  • Nonprofit Organizations
  • Social Work
  • Child Welfare
  • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
  • Employment/Human Resources
  • Environmental Advocacy
  • Healthcare organizations, Advocacy Groups, and Hospitals
  • Labor Unions
  • Law Firms, Legal Aid
  • Libraries
  • Mental Health
  • Schools, Colleges, and Universities (Academic Advisors, Counselors & Career Coaches, Secondary Education Teachers, Professors)
  • Youth Outreach and Mentoring

Read alumni stories

Career Resources

The University of Illinois and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offer a variety of career counseling services that you can take advantage of as a student.
Career Center LAS Career Services Paul M. Lisnek LAS Hub

Graduate and Professional School School Preparation

A bachelor's degree in Latina/Latino studies provides an excellent foundation for graduate school. 

Our graduates pursue advanced degrees in:

Graduating student holds up diploma
  • Political Science
  • Administrative and Policy Studies
  • Public Affairs
  • Public Policy
  • Urban Planning and Policy
  • Caribbean Studies
  • Critical Ethnic Studies
  • Law
  • Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • Public Health
  • History
  • Latin American and Latino Studies
  • Library and Information Science
  • Sound Studies
  • Education
  • Curriculum and Instruction
  • Early Childhood Special Education
  • Education Policy, Organization and Leadership
  • School Counseling
  • Higher Education (Student Affairs, Administration and Policy)
  • Marketing
  • Organizational Communication
  • Social Work
  • Mental Health Counseling

Resources for graduate school

Image of the Senator

Alumni spotlight: Celina Villanueva, '08, Illinois State Senator

This past summer I was given the opportunity to interview LLS alum Celina Villanueva (BA, ’08, Latina/Latino studies) who  represents Illinois' 12th District in the Illinois State Senate. Sen. Villanueva represents much of the southwest side of Chicago, including her home neighborhood of Little Village and other neighborhoods such as Pilsen, Bridgeport, and Brighton Park. She began attending U of I in 2003 and graduated in 2008 with a bachelor’s in Latina/o studies. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she went on to work for the Illinois Migrant Coucil and the Illinois Coalition...