Peace, Justice & Conflict Studies Careers
Goshen College Alumni
Here is a sampling of current positions held by PJCS alumni:
- National Grassroots Organizer
- Family Liaison
- Protection Counselor – Office of the UN High Commissioner
- MVS Volunteer
- Intake Coordinator
- Youth Organizer
- Account Executive
- Admission Counselor
- Client Services Manager
- Consultant
- Farmer/Rancher
- Mediator
- Human Rights Project Coordinator
- Licensed Massage Therapist
- Peace Group Advisor
- Human Rights Accompanier
- Prenatal Care Coordinator
- Program Assistant and Facilitator
- Resource Coordinator
Overview
The study of peace, justice, and conflict has a long history at Goshen College. PJCS covers a wide range of peace-related issues from the classic concerns of war and peace, through contemporary issues of ethnic, national, and religious conflict, to applying peacemaking perspectives and skills to personal relationships and all aspects of community life. At Goshen you will learn to understand that conflict, whatever its potential dangers, is a necessary and creative force for personal transformation, reconciliation, and social change.
The PJCS department and its programs are rooted in Anabaptist-Mennonite theology and history. Students of any Christian denomination, religious tradition, or philosophical perspective are invited to join us in exploring peace issues.
About the coursework
The PJCS major introduces students to the array of topics and disciplines that make up peace, justice and conflict studies, while also allowing students to focus in areas of particular interest. Courses emphasize action-reflection learning in addition to more traditional classroom opportunities. Classes, internships and co-curricular activities equip students with a framework of personal values and skills that will help them make a positive impact wherever they live.
Possible courses include:
- Violence & Nonviolence
- International Politics
- History of Global Poverty
- Ethics & Morality
- War & Peace in the Modern World
- Religion, Conflict and Peace
- Biblical Themes of Peace
- Methods of Social Research
For a full list of requirements and courses, refer to the course catalog.
Possible career paths
The possible career choices are broad for every major, and PJCS alumni work successfully in many different careers. The list below provides several options, but it is not exhaustive. Please note that some positions require additional education.
- Campaign Manager
- Community Mediator
- Community Relations Specialist
- Conflict Manager
- Consultant
- Consumer Advocate
- Diplomat/Ambassador
- Dispute Resolution Specialist
- Economic Development Worker
- Educator
- Environmental Policy Specialist
- Family/Marriage Counselor
- Field Organizer
- Group Facilitator
- Human Rights Advocate
- Human Rights Lawyer
- International Development Worker
- International Relations Specialist
- Journalist
- Lawyer for International Law
- Liaison
- Librarian
- Lobbyist
- Mediation Program Director
- Negotiator
- Non-profit Director
- Ombudsperson
- Outreach Fellow
- Pastor
- Policy Analyst
- Political Risk Analyst
- Professor
- Public Relations Specialist
- Research Associate
- School Administrator
- Social Policy Advisor
- Social Worker
- Teacher
- Union Organizer
- Volunteer
- Volunteer Coordinator
- Writer
- Youth Counselor
Additional Resources
- Peace and Justice Support Network of the Mennonite Church
- Conflict Resolution Student Resources from the University of Oregon’s Master’s Degree Program in Conflict and Dispute Resolution Program
- Peace Corps
- Career Center Resource Guides from Idealist.org
- Advocacy, Grantmaking, and Civic Organizations from the Occupational Outlook Handbook