Careers in Conflict Transformation and professional peaceworking

Who?

Who studies conflict transformation and peace studies? Generally, these students seek some career in the helping professions, with a higher premium on making a difference in the lives of those who might be disadvantaged in some fashion--historically marginalized, impoverished, disabled, targets of aggression, etc. 

These students aim not for the most financially lucrative careers, but they want work that can pay the rent, provide health care coverage, and generally offer reasonable benefits. They do not often study conflict transformation or peace studies without some semblance of a vision of themselves doing work professionally that they regard as fulfilling and meaningful. 

Some hope to dedicate themselves to seeking the structural change they know from their studies will help the most people into a sustainable future. Some hope to work in fields that are focused on much more immediate assistance to individuals in need or in pain.

Some hope to help transform international conflict; some aim to learn the skills necessary to transform more local conflict. 

Some conflict transformation students come from privileged backgrounds while others come from groups less well off, marginalized, or less advantaged in general. Many are from middle class homes, some are on scholarship, and others are amassing student loan debt.

There are many peace studies students who are determined to live out their working lives with the highest ideals and make no compromise with corporations, government, nor institutions. They want an education that gives them the capacity to achieve that and still pay the rent.