Getting to Work: Career Skills Development for Social Sciences and Humanities Graduates

While graduates in social sciences and humanities (SSH) programs tend to go on to rewarding careers, for many recent graduates there can be challenges when transitioning into the workplace. These challenges include difficulty articulating the value of the skills developed in their SSH program to employers, a lack of understanding of possible career paths, and limited work experience.

This report examines the short- and long-term career outcomes of SSH undergraduate degree holders. It discusses SSH graduates’ struggle to find meaningful employment. It examines how post-secondary institutions in Canada and the U.S. are responding with initiatives tailored to students in these programs. The report offers eight recommendations for post-secondary education stakeholders in Canada to help more SSH graduates succeed in their career goals.