I think that ethically, leaving off information like that isn't a good idea. I run into this a lot - I have a law degree, but apply for many things that ask for only my undergrad degree (criminal justice). I know the law degree makes me overqualified, but I'm really digging the job description, so I think, hmmm, do they need to know? I always answer that with a yes, they need to know, because they're likely to find out anyways and then I've lied by omission.

Since it doesn't seem to be stopping you from getting to the interview phase, I think your best weapon would be a really good answer to those questions that seem to derail the conversation. If they start asking you about sexual harassment, you could stop them short and say, "Having a women's studies degree doesn't make me more litigious. It does, however, make me more equipped to come into an existing situation that has unfavorable conditions and find a way to flourish in them."

That's just a rough idea, I'm sure you could find many things that sound more polished and specific. Explain about how women's studies teaches people to not accept limitations and to think outside the box. With each pointless question they ask, just find a way to steer it to your abilities and how you can do the job.

I've had a similar issue, and I don't think there are ethical issues with leaving material off your resume. We all tailor our resumes depending upon the job in question; sometimes you play up a certain type of job experience, or your academic work, or volunteer work. As someone who is working on a second career, I have downplayed my first career so much that it is now part of my "Interests" section. But a job application might require certain elements by law (depending on where you live), and if you reveal the omission to your employer later (or it is discovered) and you think that this is might be an issue, or that your employer might consider the omission a lie, then you will have to face consequences. This might be useful too: http://www.rezcoach.com/resume_writing_pro.html

But I also think that there might be a way to leave the Gender Studies on the resume and find a more productive use of it in interviews. If your interviewer is really stuck on the idea that "Gender Studies" or "feminist" = trouble, then it may be trickier. However, as someone who has a lot of clearly feminist classes/work on her resume, I sometimes have to deal with questions about why that is there, presuming that it is displacing something more "conventional" and therefore valuable to an employer. I think that if one faces questions like "why is your background in gender studies/feminism something that will have relevance here in [insert job type]" then you can respond with something like "I think that my background has really taught me how to examine issues from different perspectives and come up with new solutions. I assume that you are looking for people who can think creatively and independently, and my background has prepared me to do exactly that." Or, if employers are hung up on the lawsuit thing, you could maybe reply with something like "Of course I stand behind legislation relating to sexual harassment, and I assume that my employer will respect that legislation the same way that I do. Frivolous law suits are a waste of time for all involved, but as a member of our society, I am grateful to know that the law is always there to protect us, and that we have recourse should a truly serious situation arise." Try and make the answer into something that the employer would have to agree to.

Good luck with the job hunt!

I'm not very versed on the subject but I think if it were any other major it would not be a problem to leave it out. I fail to see why someone at a job involving your [hypothetical] biology degree would feel violated if you left out an english degree.

First, no, it is not true that "We all tailor our resumes depending upon the job in question". I have a standard CV and use it whenever I apply for a job. Any tailoring is done in the covering letter.

Anyway, could you not emphasise the fact that it is, err, 'only' an academic subject? That you studied it out of interest. And say, for example, that studying Criminology does not make you a mass murderer.

If you feel that it is a problem for them I'd suggest to stay off your high horses and avoid getting into an argument or making strong points about it. Just answer straight and try to dismiss the question as light banter.

Good luck!

Omitting information from resumes is generally considered OK, and is occasionally even recommended. For instance, if you have a PhD and are applying for a cashier position, it is recommended to leave the PhD off. In your case, you have a double major from a single university. If employers call your university to confirm your major and that you graduated, they might discover your second major and wonder why you didn't mention it. So, it's a toss up.
One recommended tactic for avoiding difficult discussions is to answer as briefly as possible, then ask a question pertaining to the job requirements. "Oh yes, I picked up a second major in Women's Studies. You mentioned presenting to clients a second ago; who from this company typically attends those presentations?"

Wow! That's a tough one!
Personal 'beliefs' up against the need to eat...I cannot safely say that this comment will be helpful in any way, but sympathetic, very much!
I am fortunate to work in a place that holds these issues in a very high regard, so I haven't really had to deal with such issues for the last few years.
However, the question does come to mind: Would you be comfortable with omitting that part of your education should you get a job that way? I think that answer would be a personal decision.
In any case, best of luck with this, and perhaps you would be so kind and keep us all posted!

My advice, if you need the job, is to just leave it off. It's not like you are leaving off a major criminal violation or other disability.

Of course, the kind of person where that would make the difference between extending you an offer and not extending you an offer might not be someone you would want to work for in the long run anyway, but you are always better off looking for a new position when you have one in hand.

I don't think its illegal to leave it off unless they specifically ask for your entire educational history. (Not a lawyer, don't take my word for it).

But I think a better solution is to talk briefly about your major, emphasizing that it doesn't make you overly litigious, and then move on to something more relevent.

I would keep it. I'd possibly edit it to "Women's Studies" and leave Gender out, because it is Kentucky. This may take some of the edge off, and wouldn't compromise your background. If the employer brings it up in the interview, I would try to emphasize general skills you acquired because of the major - critical thinking and creative independence, for example. Good luck!

I manage a charity and my chairperson, who is otherwise very reasonable, has always worried about recruiting women who have a women's studies degree. His reasoning is precisely that they will be more litagious and apt to challenge everything.

I would leave it off your cv. I thinkl there are so many stereotypes of feminists that you will have to face in interviews if you keep this MA in your cv.

Kathryn, if I may ask, what kind of job are you interviewing for? I have to find a job for the summer until I start my Master's in Women's Studies in the fall, and I was thinking I'd end up doing something that doesn't require my B.A. in WGS, like waitressing or retail, especially because my tuition is covered in full and my stipend is going to be enough where I don't have to work an extra job during the school year. Though, I have to tell them about WGS, since it is my actual major. I have "respectable" minors, though. Actually, if I'm talking to people I know are conservative and they ask about my future plans, I always throw Anthropology in there in addition to WGS, even though my Master's degree will be in WS. It's just easier that way.

While my major was not in Women's Studies (that's what it was called at my college) I did take many classes in it and so therefore I put it as a focus of mine on my resume. And no one has ever commented on that while I've been interviewed. Maybe I've just been lucky. And it's funny because my last boss was definitely a sexist asshole so if anyone was going to make a comment it would've been him. My boss at my current job has seen me on this website a few times and has asked if I'm a feminist, to which I've answered yes and he's given me a little strange look. But whatever, he hasn't treated me any different that I can tell.

But anyway, I don't see any problem leaving it off of your resume if you're trying to get a job. I mean, if your interviewer specifically asks you then you should tell the truth, but otherwise... People do edit their resumes all the time in order to cater to certain interviews and I see nothing wrong with it unless you're outright lying. Especially now with the job market so tight and the economy so bad. Good luck with the job search!

In the hours and hours I spent in resume workshops during undergrad I was always told that Until you have a Master's degree or reach a certain age your resume should be no longer than 1 page. After Master's you can gro to two, maybe three, but anything more than that you whould have a PhD. Having said that of course you have to leave things off. My BS is in Aerospace Engineering so I leave off all my work in feminist activism. If I am applying for a position in an activism organization I leave off my internships and paper credits. If it doesn't have anything to do with what you are applying for it is in no way unethical to omit it.

Good Luck.

I'm thinking a solution is to have a pre-arranged, rehearsed response to the WGS major, framed in a way to emphasize how your knowledge of feminism and gender can enhance your job position.

For example, if you are looking for a retail position, you can highlight how training in WGS will accentuate your ability to communicate with people across cultural and gender lines. In fact, most employers like to hear that your education prepared you for working with diverse groups. Although it is a stretch, you can also describe how it built your interpersonal skills through critical thinking and empathy.

From what I learned from applying to jobs, especially in the year between my undergrad and graduate study, framing is everything. If the interviewee starts to dwell on sexual harassment, you can always steer the conversation back to the relevance and benefits of a feminist education. That's a way to be honest, while also making yourself more appealing to the potential employer.

Good luck!

I agree with Kitty that your WS degree is an asset. I also think that having a person who is sensitive to issues connected with diversity can help to encourage an atmosphere (a healthy and respectful one) that prevents harassment, which is the cause of the lawsuits. I'd note that major firms and state institutions regularly contract people to conduct seminars about diversity, so having someone on the staff with such a background is GOOD!

And, best wishes to you on your job search!

As a resent grad with an MA in Women and Gender Studies, who is also on the hunt for a job in this though market, would you ever consider leaving off your MA when it is completed? Probably not, otherwise you would not be dedicating the next year or so of your life to class, research... If you are looking for a part time job that is one thing; however, if this is for a more perminant full time placement you have to question if you even want to work for these employers who are questioning you.
I know it is rough out there, keep your head up. And every mind you change now will help those coming up behind you. Otherwise, if I was someone considering a BA in Women's Studies reading your post I might decide against it.

When you say that employers think that having a women's studies degree will make you more likely to sue, I get a lil sick to my stomach. If their not doing anything wrong, then they have nothing to worry about.

But anyways. I understand this dilemna. I have to do an internship for my social work degree and I decided on a place that helps pregnant teens. My future boss asked me about my women's studies minor and why I chose it while I was in the interviewing process. When I told her why she gave me this really slimy smile like all she heard was bullshit. And this was a woman (I know, I know, I still expect different though). So I thought, wow...should I leave this off of resumes and out of interviews. That goes for my lgbt experience as well. All I can say is that if it will eat you up, dont. But if it wont, then do it. Not doing it wont hurt you cause you can always bring it up later (after you have the job) but bringing it up in an interview or putting it on your resume can hurt you now. It all depends on what you think will sit well with your values and your needs. I know its hard. It sucks that this even has to be a issue!

Include it or exclude it, it's ultimately your choice. Just remember that you are so much more than your resume could ever convey.

Sexual harassment is a large threat in the work force-and in most progressive companies a major fear.

A women I work with has gone to human resources with 4 sexual harassment suits, and accused myself of using my sexuality to try and get a job I haven't applied for nor wanted or want.

She's still working for the company. And I'd go on record as saying I've never experienced sexual harassment in anyway on my job site.

In my opinion is that some company's live in fear and bow down to complainers, and some companies REAL complaints hold little to no value.

Its pretty simple really: Tailor your resume to fit the job. End of story. Resumes are ideally 1 page documents. We don't expect them to cover your life story, just your job relevant experiences. What if you were previously a man, would you put that on your resume??? No, its not job relevant material. Better yet what if you actually had sued someone over for sexual harassment, would you put that on your resume? I don't think so. Employers not only don't expect you to put negative information on a resume, they expect you not to.

I once had a friend who graduated cum laude with a BS in biology. He needed a quick blue collar gig to support his family. He kept getting turned down. He even was hired once and then turned away his 1st day of work. He finally took his BS off his resume. He got hired the next day. Do what you need to.

It's interesting that so many people have commented on the legal and practical aspects of the matter, and there's been relatively little discussion of it from a feminist perspective.

Ignoring issues of practicality, isn't it problematic in a theoretical sense?

I confess to being a neophyte in the area, so I'm actually curious what people think.

While I know feminism doesn't require you to starve, isn't not placing your GWS major on the resume sort of subjugating yourself to patriarchal ideas and misconceptions about feminism? In a sense, isn't it sort of sanctioning the discomfort people feel about the degree? Thus, wouldn't it be anti-feminist to intentionally leave off the degree?

An employer asking you how you define sexual harassment is code for "I want to know what I can get away with when I sexually harass you." Whether they ask you something like that at the beginning, middle, or end of the interview, that's when you stand up, say "Than you for your time," and walk out the door. There's always a risk for sexual harassment at any job. But if the employer is going to see "Gender Studies" as a red flag for potential sexual harassment lawsuits, then that's just plain dangerous. No job is worth having to put up with that bullshit.

I've been facing a similar challenge, only mine is about whether or not to pursue an undergraduate degree in Feminist Studies (that's what my school calls it). I love everything about it--my intro class was one of maybe 3 classes I've taken in college that I really want to go to every time. My major is Anthropology and my emphasis has so far been on feminist theory in anthropology. I've talked to a few people about adding a minor in Feminist Studies, but been advised by almost all of them not to. They suggested instead, since I really like the subject, to keep taking classes in it, but don't put a Feminist Studies major or minor on my transcript...because a lot of employers will look at that and be turned off.

It's been difficult for me on so many levels. I love feminism and most of my acquaintances know that that is a big part of who I am. But when I graduate, I will have a lot of debt to pay off, and if having a Fem Studies minor might jeopardize my chances getting of getting a job that will help me pay off my loans, I'm probably not going to do it. I hate that--I hate that the stigma surrounding feminism is still so strong that it can affect my employment status. It's wrong and it's unfair, but I'm not in a place to challenge that.

I don't think there's anything ethically wrong with omitting certain things, like a second degree, on your resume if it won't help you get a job. I'm a part-time therapeutic horseback riding instructor, and when applying for a job, I didn't put that I had written for the university newspaper for a semester. Instead I put my horse-related and instructing-related credentials. It's all about making yourself look good. But if it's the kind of job where having a degree in gender/women's/feminist studies could add to your resume, put it on there. It'll make your feminist self feel good, too.

Well, I assume you minored in Women's Studies because you are at least somewhat interested in injustice perpetrated against women because of our gender?

I would leave it on. Would you want to work for a place that doesn't want to deal with those problem bitchezzz that believe in equality 'n' no sexual harassment 'n' stuff?

I'm with HoyaGuy here.

Honestly, to me it depends on the job you are applying for and how hard up you are.

If you're looking for something professional level (lol, you know, those "real" jobs they used to tell us about in high school) then leave it on. I whole heartidly agree with most of the comments....

But if you're sitting in a dark apartment, with an eviction notice on the door... do what you have to do. I've been there (the apt with no electricity with the eviction notice..). I've gone days with no food. I've slept in my car, washed up at truck stops. It sucks. Really, really sucks. If you are any where near this point, leave it off. Take whatever crappy job you have to take until the "right" "real" job comes along. Fudge a little at the interview.

Ethics are great. But they sure don't pay the rent. And they don't taste so good.. :p

I have spent years on the job market and have also been on several hiring committees. I would caution against putting too much weight on any given detail about your vitae or resume. While one person might hold your second major against you, another might fight harder for you because of it. You just don't know. You can try to tailor your application to the job, but your conception of what they want may or may not match the reality. I also know that your interpretation of what determined the interviewers choices is often mistaken too--and again I say this having been on both sides of that hiring table. It is really difficult to say what really made them choose one candidate over another and even harder for the applicant.

One thing I would absolutely caution against is doing anything that would lead a future employer to mistrust you. While tailoring your resume is standard practice, if it becomes clear when they meet you that women's studies is a huge part of what you do and you left it out, you might undermine your chances by making them feel like they can't trust you. No one can ever provide every possible detail, but appearing disingenuous (regardless of the reality) really can hurt your chances.

I would also say that I know I put too much weight on every little detail of my applications in the past. Having been on the other side of the table, I know now that was a mistake. When you are desperate every little detail seems huge, but it just isn't. The harder thing is accepting that you probably just have limited control over whether or not you can get any given job no matter how much you tweek the resume or second guess yourself.

For the most part, it is the total package that counts. An extra major or minor, in my experience, is rarely a deal breaker unless the second major makes the person a substantially better fit for the job (even if they do critical race theory or women's studies). I doubt it will affect your job prospects all that much whether you leave the second major on or not.

I think that the biggest and most direct consequence of leaving women's studies off your resume is going to be for you. It probably won't win or lose you a job; it probably will help to form how you see yourself and the kinds of strategies and compromises you feel comfortable endorsing for work. Confidence is huge in sealing any job offer. Know that and consider carefully how your choice on what to include will affect your ability to walk in filled with confidence and just wow them. GOOD LUCK!!!!!

it's perfectly fine to leave it off entirely or revise to "gender studies." tailoring your resume is often part of the whole getting a job business.

it DOES outrage me that you're getting the vibe that some employers fear an increased likelihood of sexual harassment suits based on your degree, but i'm a lawyer and i do a fair amount of employment work, including the occasional sexual harassment claim.

does it suck to compromise sometimes in order to pay the rent? absolutely. but it doesn't sound like you're applying for jobs for the long-term anyway and soon enough i'm sure you will be able to proudly put that major back on your resume and even someone who might cringe a little at it will be impressed enough with your work experience and your interview skills that they will get over their other issues.

in law school i was on a law journal that had "women's studies" in the name and i've always included it. two practical reasons are a) i have a piece published in that journal and anyone who googled my name could find it and if they're going to be freaked out by "ewwie uppity laaydee issuezz!!1", there's no stopping it, and b)fortunately i live in a liberal city and have had the luxury of not having to take any job out there, regardless of the potential sexism of the office environment. i recognize that not everyone is so lucky, at least at certain times in their life. i say suck it up for now and look to the future.

I just wanted to take issue with some things being said here, having assigned my freshman English students resumes and gotten advice from many people, including the university career center, my own professors, and the writing center, about it. You should take your question to the university career center and ask if you can sit down with an advisor and have them look over your resume.

First, I wouldn't feel bad at all about omitting the one major. Sometimes it's best. e.g., I wrote a conference paper on representations of the prostitute in the film _Monster_ that I'm keeping off my non-education resume (I'll leave it on when I apply for higher education jobs) because I don't want someone to get offended by it and throw out the resume, and because I don't want it to distract from my other, more pertinent experience. Another e.g.: I had a student from China who was involved in her Chinese university's chapter of the student Communist Party. As much as I hate to say it, that resume is going to get thrown in the trash by 95% of American employers. She had to leave it off.

I don't think there's an "ethical" issue. I'd say it's more of a problem if it leaves a time gap in your career (e.g., I can't omit my master's degree because the job I held for two years - teaching assistant - was directly related to it, and it would leave a time gap). It's common for people to leave master's degrees off their resumes; when you have the master's, you are FAR MORE than qualified to do the work you can get hired for with your bachelor's. You are not "tricking" your employer into thinking you're more than you are. The fact is, employers shy away from master's in fields not directly related to their positions because (1) higher degrees sometimes demand higher pay; (2) employers just don't really like hiring overqualified people when there are just-so-qualified people available with direct experience. But I digress.

Second, I'm sorry, but it is IMPORTANT and necessary for a person to tailor her resume to positions in different industries. One should not be submitting a CV for an accounting position, or a regular business resume for a higher-ed job. Your resume will have different emphases for different positions. This is a rhetorical necessity. You can't just throw your pile of experience onto a piece of paper without categorizing, organizing, and prioritizing and expect every employer hiring for a different position in a different industry to wade through it. One way I was advised at the university career center to emphasize different aspects of my experience was to make separate sections for work experience called "Related Experience" and "Additional Experience," and move around or omit jobs according to how they relate to the position.

Anyway. I'd maybe consider leaving the GWS degree on and coming up with some more generic things to say about it, things that employers couldn't disagree with, or that they could get behind, and that avoid more of the incendiary topics.

But I have to tell you not all business-world employers will be averse to it. My current boss, a man in his 40s with several daughters, actually told me right out while we were interviewing that he was fascinated by my tentative thesis topic (a feminist analysis of some writings by Kurt Vonnegut) and asked me questions about it in spite of the fact that the questions had nothing to do with the job. Ha ha. So it depends on the business.

This is a really interesting post. I've recently been placed in a similar predicament as I apply for internships. I am a double major as well in Journalism, and Women's and Gender Studies. After applying to about 15 internships, I received few calls back. Now I know these are difficult times, but I theorize in the journalism industry, one that preaches objectivity above all else, that a feminist isn't someone always wanted in the newsroom. An obvious political ideology can come with the degree, but I've chosen to embrace this as a reality and work at a progressive non profit.

If you think omitting the degree may improve your chances of landing I job, I say give it a try. However, your not giving yourself credit for all those extra hours of coursework, and I'm not sure if I'd want to work for a close minded employer who wouldn't accept my ideology.

I think either way (keep it or not) is fine, but I'd second the above post and say that maybe leaving it on is kind of a work environment barometer test.

After all, do you really think you'll be happy and/or successful in an environment that is SO negative about GWS (and likely, as a result, antagonistic to your values or possibly even an overtly sexist/discriminatory workplace)?

Leaving stuff off of a resume isn't lying unless it's covering up something like a prison term. I've worked as a hiring manager and have been on tons of interview loops for both my own team and for other teams, and I'd say since it's not relevant to the job, it's not anything criminal or whatever, if you don't choose to include it, hey! Whatever! I'm worried about people who put down stuff they DON'T have, not people who omit stuff that they do.

Don't worry about it too much - just make what seems to be the right call, balancing your need for a job against the cultural barometer that your GWS degree provides regarding gender bigots.

Oh, sorry for the length, but, again, DO ask your Women's Studies professors, or professors in other departments with Women's Studies/interdisciplinary emphases. They can give you SOOO much advice. They've been through all of this.

feminist analysis of some writings by Kurt Vonnegut

Interesting. I'd like to read about that, have you blogged about it or anything?

Next time they ask if you're the type to file frivolous lawsuits, ask if their employees are the type to sexually harass female workers.

When they get offended and say, "no, of course not!" Say, "then my answer is, 'no, of course not.'"

If they say anything else, ask yourself: do you really want to work there?

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While I understand the dilemma you face, I think that it's important that you stick to your principles and keep the Women and Gender Studies major on your resume. If a strong, educated, passionate feminist like you can't be open and assertive about your convictions, what hope is there for the rest of us? If you can't maintain your beliefs in times of hardship, what value do they really have? It's okay to be a feminist only when it's convenient? I know that's harsh, but I think that's the true test of courage and integrity. You've obviously worked extremely hard to earn your degree, why let some bigot interviewer rob you of that? Maybe these employers are worried about "frivolous lawsuits" because they've had problems with sexual harassment and discrimination in the past. Do you really want to work for a company like that?

Being a feminist is hard; people judge and condemn us, even in the "liberal" society we live in today. I say, be strong and reasonable, explain what gender studies really means, and if they can't understand, fuck them, don't compromise yourself. It's up to everyone woman and feminist to speak out and stand up for themselves. How can we expect assault or sexual harassment victims to speak out, if we can't even assert our identity in an interview?

Honestly, times are hard for everyone, and if you can't stick to your principles now, you might want to question how much a part of your identity they really are. I say, get a job at the GAP and keep your voice. People have suffered much more for their views in the past, and continue to do so today.

Have you thought about contacting the department where you will be starting in the fall to see if they can help? Or the University in general. I know several of my MA collegues worked for the University and got good resume fodder and were not judged for their majors.

Leave it off. Get the job and then, improve the lives of women who work there. There's more than one way to skin a cat.
Best of luck in your job search

WOW!!! NO WAY!!

You should always say what you stand for!! Some people will agree with you, others may not! In this case I'm not sure you want to work for a company that is afraid to hire you because of these things. I mean, if they had a strong policy against sexual harassment, then they wouldn't have to worry about it.

Alex - Professional Cutie
www.mioamoredesign.com

I'm sort of amused by the multiple comments that say it's okay to omit the WGS degree because it's not like omitting a CRIMINAL conviction, or a ZOMG prison term.

Know what? You can omit those from your resume too. If you have them, you probably should (criminal justice counselors give YMMV resume-writing advice). Some employers do use a detailed application form that contains threats about what will happen if you omit anything relevant or say anything false, but we are talking about a resume here. It's wrapping paper for your application. As someone said upthread, you could even omit your name if you wanted to.

i just hope you spelled "scholor" correctly on your resume

A degree is just a tool - it does not define who you are. I regularly omit my physics degree from the job application when I am applying for a temporary manual labour job - it seems to make getting the job easier. A resume should always be tailored to the job you are applying for; obviously, tailoring your resume to the preconceptions of bigots is different than omitting your high school paper route because of irrelevancy, but the reason is the same: you need a job, so you present yourself in the manner that makes you seem most suitable for that job (without actually lying or omitting relevant information).

A job is just a job. As long as you don't compromise your ideals or your identity, I wouldn't worry too much about what you write on the application. Any bigot who might discriminate against your Gender Studies degree could really use a positive feminist role model in their workplace, anyway.

Omit away!

I live in Idaho, one of the most conservative R states in the nation. I also managed a Democratic state senator's election campaign. Depending on who I'm applying to, I leave it off, include it, or even use him as a reference.

You're not compromising your values by doing so, you're merely omitting information that's not relevant to the application you're making.

I'm curious how long some of the commenters on this board have been in the job market. Fact is, good applicats tailor their resumes to whatever job they're applying for all the time. There's nothing wrong with it, in fact, you SHOULD change your resume depending on what job you're applying for.

Plus, think of how subversive you'll be if you score a job with people who are uncomfortable with the term "feminist." Consider it an educational opportunity--for all of you.

Hi, I live in Kentucky and I have a minor listed attached to one of my graduate degrees "Women, Sexuality, and Gender Studies" and I HAVE NOT HAD THAT PROBLEM. Now, I primarily have worked in non-profits and education (currently I work at EKU). So, that's probably why I haven't run into that problem (or even thought about it, honestly!)

Where are you in KY? Louisville, Lexington? or the red sea (aka the rest of the state)? I think that any environment in which the hiring manager thinks that its appropriate to consider feminists dangerous inciters of law-suits WILL NOT BE THE KIND OF QUALITY WORKPLACE YOU'LL WANT. Have you tried looking into non-profit or University settings? I think that if you're looking for a job to survive, leaving it off the resume would be okay, but if you are looking for your career job, you need to be totally up-front.

If you need help or hook-ups in the Central KY area, I could try to help you or at least give you some tips. I live in Lexington.

Peace & Good Luck

This is actually easier than you think. Rather than stating your specific majors, give the department (or college). So if both degrees are from the Humanities department just state that you "received a double major degree from the department of Humanities at XYZ university. If the degrees are from two different departsments, then it's somethng like..."double majored at XYZ university and received a degree from the department of Humanities and the department of Social Sciences".

Yes, people do this all the time! People often do this when they have majored in something that others view as not very practical (Medieval Literature or Dramatic Arts perhaps). It has nothing to do with not being a good feminist.

Unless your degrees are relevant to the position, you can be vague. If they want to know, they'll ask. THEN answer honestly and proudly.

New grad often get hung up on majors and GPAs. Outside the university, they just want to know that you have a degree.

I'm an employer and you're right, I would look at it and ask you questions. I have no problem with feminists, but my concern is what the Women's Studies means to you. A strong feminist voice that can cut through crap and tell it like it is (when appropriate), I don't have a problem with.

If you're a feminist activist and a rabblerouser, I'm fine with that, as long as it doesn't interfere with work. Do it on the evenings and weekends, but if it doesn't help with the mission at work, then I don't want it.

When I hire, I am looking for someone that will work together and be part of a team. Feminists can do that. No problem. Someone with very strong feminist feelings, a degree in Women's Studies and someone who feels the needs to proselytize can do that. No problem. But...someone along that lines, can they focus on their job, be a strong feminist, but not create problems at work? That's the question.

I have a similar feeling toward gay activists "I'm Here. I'm Queer. What are you going to do about it?!" 'Umm.....I dunno. Fix the copier and I'll be happy. If the copier's not fixed, I won't be happy'.

For the most part, the people responding to an employer questioning the issue as 'they just want to see how much harassment they can get away with'. No. That's not the case. [At least I would sincerely hope so].

But, it would be a concern if a co-worker told an off-color joke, how would the person, with the Women's Studies Degree react? Would she laugh at the joke if it was funny, tell the person it was a lame joke if it was not funny? If the joke was not just off-color, but more misogynistic, would she tell the person that she didn't appreciate / wasn't comfortable / didn't like 'humor' like that? I would hope so....Or would she make a huge deal about it, create a problem and threaten to sue the company? I think that's what possible employers are looking at.

Also, regardless of the situation, I would have strong words for the person telling the joke and would deal with it if it became a repeating problem.

But it's just not Women's Studies, where I would worry about how activist the potential employee would be, how strident and how well they would fit with the team. Of course, the two issues do *not* go hand in hand, but it does happen sometimes.

If I had an English Major, the first assumption I would have would be his writing skills are good (which I'd check), but I'd also be concerned if they could deal with practical matters.

There's nothing wrong with having a Womens Studies degree. It's something to be proud of. But it does send off certain flags to Employers.

[Before I get trashed. I see the degree as something to ask questions about and guage what i means to the applicant. I would *not* use it as a disqualifier or something bad, but I would want to know what the degree or major would mean to them].

Kathryn, I would agree with Poster that said that early college graduates overthink the issue of majors, GPA's and things like that.

As an employer, the only value that I see that a degree has is that it shows that the person started something, saw it through and finished it. Which is a lot more than most (or at least) a lot of people in this country have.

I have a situation similar to yours. I have a BA in religion, which I loved, and getting it means the world to me. I would never have had the wonderful experience I did in undergrad without it.

I also put it on my resume, and two job interviews later, deleted it, never to be seen again!

Too many religion questions and assumptions made by employers. Now that I'm getting my Master's in Business and Marketing, I would never even consider it. Businesses don't want to know about your politics or religion, and putting something like religion, or WS to them makes them uncomfortable.

When I was hiring people, there are so many applications, when reading resumes, I would just try to pick reasons not to interview to narrow down the stack. I, of course, would have interviewed a WS major, but other people are not me, and they are using their biases to narrow down that stack too.

It is not unethical to leave something off, it is unethical to lie. If I said that I ran my own million dollar business for 10 years, that would be unethical. If I never mention that I studied the ins and outs of Asian meditation practices, well, that's just making it easier for them to focus on my other positive attributes. Same goes for you.

Is that why you're not being hired, though? It can simply be that there's a hell of a lot of applicants, and right now, at least the trend is where I live, they go for much older people, since they're now largely out of work (thanks economy). Not saying it doesn't have to do with it, but it's bad to assume it DOES.

That's a great topic. why not omit online?

I know a few websites which let any average Jane is making a selling software occupation online.

Finding a new job is a matter which is very differ from the past.

I know I will be objective (probably more so than someone who dosn't think about different forms of privilege and oppression as often as I do) but my employer may not. And yes,economics degree I am triple careful now b/c I don't want to do anything that could make me less employable when more than half the staff at the paper I interned at last summer has been laid off.
journalism degree | online history degree