Because peace studies is an interdisciplinary major, it can be a profession in many ways. Peace Studies has provided me with a skill set that can be applied and molded to address any issue internationally and interpersonally. Peace can be a profession in many ways because it requires frustration over injustice and working to do something about it. I want to pursue peace as a profession because I want to help foster change.

Personally, I am angered and frustrated by the state of the world in general and I want to actively work towards making a positive difference. I am not sure which route I want to go about peace as a profession in the long run but in the near future, I plan to use the skill set in a Los Angeles K-12 public school in a low-income area. Why? The school-to-prison pipeline should not be a thing. The fact that it even exists is a testament that the government has failed students, especially students belonging to minority groups who make up most of the demographic of the school-to-prison pipeline. Students are more than the sum of their parts. English, being a person’s second language, should not be viewed as a setback. A student’s academic success should not be dependent on the area in which they live or their socioeconomic status. I can make a difference for the students that I will be working with because I can empathize with them on a personal level, as I also attended low-income Los Angeles public schools. Some of the schools I might work at will be those my parents attended. College, success, family planning and other factors should be the rule and not the expectation. I think that I can utilize mediation, conflict analysis mechanisms, and an intersectional lens to help the students. I want to help students have the support that I received throughout my education and help inspire students from underrepresented communities to enter spaces that they thought were impossible. I think that this program will allow me to give back and grow as a person allowing me to employ the skillset I have gained at Chapman.

Last year I studied the importance of ethnic studies and descriptive representation in K-12 public schools, and it makes a large difference for students belonging to racial minorities. Culture matters, representation matters, and I want to work with the students at these schools because they matter and are just as capable of success as their white, affluent counterparts.

I chose Peace Studies because I could not and did not want to focus on a singular issue. I want to be able to pursue a variety of issues that are important and have an expansive versatile skill set to make a difference. I also think that peace is not only just a profession but a life style. It requires empathy, solidarity, and working to help all marginalized groups. Peace is a profession that is more than just wanting change but doing something to create the change you wish to see.

Peace Studies encapsulates such an interdisciplinary and multifaceted area of study and field of work. It’s one of the most wonderful yet very challenging aspects of dedicating myself to this field. It’s wonderful in that so many experiences in and out of the classroom have provided me with critical thinking skills and a wealth of knowledge on various crucial topics in our world today. However, though this is true, it is difficult because it has so many different paths and lanes available for us to explore, which can make it challenging to narrow down our specific passions, especially when we have passions for many different areas. This is certainly the case for me and is something I am still narrowing down and figuring out as the semester progresses. As two of my mentors told me once, “It’s amazing and so great that you have so many passions and interests that you would like to work in, but it’s important to remember that you often can’t address all of these at once. You need to start somewhere!”

As my time as a Peace Studies major at Chapman is drawing to a close, I have had many experiences that have supported the narrowing of my interests and passions. As I studied different conflicts and social movements, I realized that I have a deep desire to work in the human rights field. I was motivated and inspired by those fighting to ensure that people around the world have access to their basic human needs and that their basic human rights are respected. This was an important realization that allowed me to narrow down my specific interests further, though there is still work to be done as human rights is also a very broad term. 

A few years ago, I began working as the Lead Food Pantry Student Assistant on campus, a role that I never really thought about doing until an opportunity came up. I didn’t know much about food insecurity or how food pantries functioned but I was drawn to the job because I wanted to help people and wanted to support an important campus resource. As I worked at the pantry and as I saw the growth and the impact it had, I became passionate about the specific basic human needs and human rights relating to food security and poverty around the world. Though I am not sure if this is the specific path that I would like to take, it is nice to see that it is a very significant option for me to explore. This experience has also opened my eyes to the possibility of wanting to work in the non-profit sector on similar social issues and changed the way that I think about a profession in Peace Studies. It has broadened what the possibilities are.

Although the narrowing down process is difficult, I believe that we will keep working at doing it through the experiences and opportunities that our lives and our future jobs will provide us. We will work in jobs that sound perfect but perhaps are not exactly what we are looking for and this will inform us and continue to support our narrowing of what exactly we are looking to do. Each experience is thus like an additional puzzle piece added to create a full image. When asked, “Can peace be a profession?” the answer is clearly yes, however a more important question I think is “what specific aspect of peace will be mine/your profession?” It can be scary not having that sort of certainty or closure about what exactly our professions will be, I know that I am certainly stressed and anxious about it but that’s normal. We are young and we are smart, it’ll take some time but I’m sure that there is a profession for all of us within this field it just may take some time to see exactly what that profession is. Overall, it is important that we recognize that life is constantly changing and despite this being a scary occurrence, it is important that we learn to be flexible and to embrace change.

The concept of peace as a profession is a broad and multifaceted subject, however it is clear that it is a possibility. Peace is a complex subject in itself, yet its importance is increasingly relevant within our society, indicating the need for individuals who are interested in pursuing careers that relate to its implementation and preservation. Throughout my time as a Peace Studies student, I have learned about many ways that peace may be incorporated into our career paths. Initially, I assumed that all careers within this discipline would include some form of diplomacy or political work, and I was concerned about whether my interests would be compatible with my passion for this field. However, I have come to understand that this is not the case. Careers that are centered around or that interact with peace can take on a wide variety of forms, and while many of these career paths may be challenging, they are highly valuable as well. 

Peace as a profession can have direct manifestations within various career paths. The most predominant fields that I have learned about include those that uphold, promote, and protect human rights and combat injustice. This may be done through working with the law, with governments or non-governmental organizations, and with non-profits. Throughout my time as an undergrad, I have learned about these fields in my classes and through conversations with a variety of esteemed and accomplished experts. I have learned that law can be central to peace due to its role in upholding justice and protecting human rights and liberties. In particular, I have learned about the work of the ICC and the ad hoc tribunals, including the ICTY and the ICTR, which have actively contributed to addressing violence and promoting justice within national and international systems. Working with the government, the UN, or other non-governmental organizations can also be effective pathways to getting involved in this field. Some notable organizations I have learned about include Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. Additionally, it is clear that the work of nonprofits, both big and small, is highly valuable in promoting peace and justice. One example of a nonprofit that has made significant contributions to this field within the U.S. is the ACLU. In this sense, there are many ways that peace can become a profession through engaging in work that protects and promotes human rights and justice. 

However, I have also learned that many of these career paths can be difficult. In a recent interview with Dr. John Hall from Chapman’s Fowler School of Law, he emphasized the financial burdens and high cost of entry as prominent obstacles to working in these fields. It is also clear that many of these careers can be taxing on your personal life and mental health. That being said, many of the experts I have heard from have also placed a strong emphasis on the value of this work and its importance to local, national, and international communities. 

Cat Bolten teaches for the Kroc Institute
Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame

It is also important to note that not everyone is interested in these kinds of career paths and that peace-related work can be incorporated into many other professions. This discipline is very broad, and efforts to uphold the values of peace and justice are crucial, no matter how big or small. One example of a possible incorporation of peace into other professions is through using teaching as an outlet to educate others on the importance of these fields. One can also incorporate peace into their profession by working for an organization that does not engage directly with this field yet upholds the same values, or through engaging in volunteer work within their community.  

In short, professions in peace can take many forms, and all are relevant and valuable to this discipline. Although careers that work directly in upholding peace and justice at national and international levels may be challenging, they are also rewarding and highly important professions. However, one should not limit their understanding of careers in peace and justice to those professions. Individuals can engage with and promote peace and justice through a wide variety of career paths, and each one is uniquely important. In this sense, peace, which is a broad and multifaceted concept in itself, can foster many potential professions for those who are interested. 

I first came into contact with the concept of peace studies after taking an online quiz telling me what major I would be best suited for. Like many, I had no idea what peace studies really meant, but after doing research I realized it was a perfect combination of the sociology I found so interesting, international relations, and activism. During my fourth year of studying in this major, I have found the quiz to be quite accurate, however as I inch closer and closer towards graduation I do have a sense of fear over what my future career may hold. 

Oftentimes after describing my major, I am asked if I want to be a diplomat. While of course this seems like a dream job, it is also a game of chance in which all the proper cards must fall into place. Because of this I always politely shake my head in response, and say “no, I am actually interested in working in the non-profit or inter-government field”. Each time I say this however, more and more doubt creeps in. Am I cut out for the high effort low (monetary) reward of the United Nations? What are the chances I would even get a position in the first place? As I have learned more and more about the human rights field, I am often left boggled by the extreme competition and menial pay its workers are left with. Of course, the social fulfillment of working for expanded human rights would be like no other job, but am I truly prepared to give my whole life to it? I imagine I will be pondering these questions for quite some time, however I also must examine the opportunities for peace as a profession and the sectors I would truly be interested in. 

I have always had a particular interest in unicef and the concept of children’s rights. Now, after spending significant time researching education for my thesis, as well as preparing to enter a career in teaching for the next year, I realize that this niche may be right up my alley. While Unicef does incredible work globally, there are many non-profit organizations that have similar goals. Save the Children is a charity organization that operates globally, funding missions to feed children, keep them safe, healthy and educated. It describes itself as “the first global movement for children, boldly declaring that children have rights”. While this organization operates on a large scale, there are many nonprofits with a similar goal working on a local level. One non-profit from my home town called Puertas Abiertas, specialized in working with the Spanish speaking community to give social assistance in a variety of ways. I volunteered with their daycare program, created to give kids and parents a head start at learning English before they enter primary school. Working hands on with communities in which non-profits can directly ask the people they are attempting to serve what their needs are can be a great benefit to peace building on the local level. While I am not sure that this is the work I will pursue, it has great value and serves communities that unicef or Save the Children may overlook in their global work.

Although I remain unsure of what size of organization I will eventually enter, one thing rings true for me, the desire to work with children, preferably in intercultural settings. Throughout my time in the peace studies department, I have learned a lot about the concept of othering, and how detrimental this can be to peace in our world. By working in something related to intercultural understanding, I can both expose myself to new things every day while working to do the same for others. Work at the United Nations or a small NGO may have very different day to day routines, however both aim to preserve the goodness of humanity and provide a more just world.

The concept of peacekeeping as a profession may appear unorthodox in today’s volatile world, yet its importance cannot be underestimated. The search for peace crosses boundaries and presents itself in a variety of ways across different professions. I will examine how pursuing peace can be a rewarding career path, given that many occupations actively seek to reduce tension and foster environments where harmony prevails over conflict. Here are five professions where peace is at the forefront:

1. Diplomacy: One important area where a career in promoting peace comes together is diplomacy. Here, experts in diplomacy and international affairs negotiate treaties, forge alliances, and balance competing national interests to promote stability and peace. These professionals work in conflict or post-conflict environments, resolving disputes, facilitating communication between parties, and starting projects that lead to enduring peace. In this context, creating a peaceful world is the goal of the profession of peacemaking.
2. Humanitarian relief: Working for humanitarian relief groups is another significant way that employment and peace can coexist. Through their efforts to combat poverty, inequality, and social injustice, these groups help to create a peaceful environment. Improving the economy, healthcare, and education reduces the underlying causes of conflict and tension. People can actively promote peace by addressing the root causes of conflict by working in these types of organizations.
3. Academia and Education: There are opportunities to build a profession around peace in the fields of education and teaching. Students of all ages are greatly impacted by the teachings of peace studies professors and academics, who impart the values of nonviolent communication, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding. They shape future generations to emphasize peace by instilling qualities of empathy, understanding, and compassion via education.
4. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Dedicated to human rights, environmental conservation, and demobilization, NGOs work nonstop to promote peace. By forming public opinion, influencing policy, and raising public knowledge, these groups play a crucial role. Through proactive engagement with societal and global issues, they facilitate the implementation of meaningful peace initiatives.
5. Legal Advocacy: The legal system offers a potent platform for advancing peace. Attorneys, judges, and legal advocates may focus their practice on international law, transitional justice, or human rights. By upholding accountability, justice, and the rule of law, these professionals strengthen the cornerstones of a peaceful society and become champions for peace.

The path to peace is complex and difficult, requiring the commitment and cooperation of professionals from many fields. We can link our professional choices with the cause of peace by seeing and appreciating the potential for peace across a range of professions. Every one of us can meaningfully contribute to peace on a local, national, or international level, whether through working with NGOs, studying diplomacy, supporting humanitarian relief projects, teaching students about peaceful values, or standing up for justice. Equipped with the understanding that peace surpasses professional limits, I am motivated to pursue a career that is in line with these goals as I forge my own path. Together, let’s set out on this life-changing path to mold our careers in the direction of a more peaceful world.

Important Links to Look at:

https://www.divinalaw.com/news-and-updates/lawyers-as-peacekeepers-if-you-desire-peace-cultivate-justice/

https://www.un.org/en/our-work/deliver-humanitarian-aid

https://www.asaporg.com/communication/public-diplomacy-a-tool-for-peace-and-understanding#:~:text=It%20is%20vital%20for%20promoting,in%20an%20increasingly%20disconnected%20world.

https://ideas.repec.org/p/ess/wpaper/id9060.htm

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When I was first applying to college, it was an internal struggle trying to decide what I would major in and then what I would do with that degree. I started as many do, a communications major; but peace studies was always in the back of my mind. I knew I would either do a double major or a minor; I was certain it was going to be part of my education. After one semester, I knew communication was not for me and I quickly registered for all peace studies classes my second semester. It is safe to say that was the best decision I made. I was quickly immersed in courses that I truly cared about. I found them interesting and felt my knowledge expanding at a rapid pace compared to what I was experiencing the semester prior. I was happier because I knew that this was what I wanted.

I did have the anxiety that most get when becoming a peace studies major; the “what am I supposed to to do with this degree?” fear. But the truth is, in my time of pursuing this degree I have learned that like many undergraduate degrees, you can truly do anything. I was simultaneously working on my political science degree, making me feel only more confident in my future. I have come to learn so many things about our world, but time and time again my interest has circled back to refugees. Both my parents are immigrants, with my mother from Poland and my father from Palestine, and so I have always been immersed in that world and seen the suffering that people endure while trying to escape those unfortunate realities. So to me, it always made sense to strive to help those people

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Naturally I have kept up with current conflicts, ones that produce mass amounts of refugees and the refugee crisis in general. This has led me to stumble upon several agencies and organizations that do such work, both on an international scale and a more local one. I have come to understand in this time that important work does not always have to be done Internationally. I always thought to make big change I had to work for the United Nations or have a high position in government. But the truth that I have come to believe is that there are so many ways to make just as important change. In my opinion, some of the most effective change happens on a smaller scale. The way that I see improving people’s lives in the best way possible is to be able to form connections, and truly provide them with what they need, not what we think they need.

What I have also come to understand is that you can get involved anywhere, even in your backyard. There are opportunities just around the corner to become part of that change you want to see. It is not always the easiest work or position to get, but it is there to try. And it is important to try everything, not just the things you think you are interested in. Because just as important as it is to know what you like, it is equally as important to know what is not for you.

My understandings and goals have shifted over the years, I have continued to learn and gained the skills to be a critical thinker leading me to pursue a career wherever I want. Peace studies has given me a skill set that has taught me how to think and to be adaptable, rather than a specific skill that will excel in one place. My meetings with the career center have validated those points, telling me that I can really apply anywhere and try anything. That is what I wanted from my college degree, I wanted to be able to graduate and do anything, not be tied down. There are endless possibilities!

I want to feel good about what I am doing. I think that what this career path has, is people who are passionate. Everyone I have met through peace studies has always really cared about their niche subject area and that is very empowering. While I have learned a lot, I know there is always room for growth. That anxiety still remains, wondering where I will end up, but I no longer fear it won’t be anywhere; I know that there is something out there for me. Wherever I end up, I will always be a peace studies major, instilling what I learned into everything I do. So yes, peace can be a profession, without a doubt; peace can be any profession. At the end of the day, everyone should strive to promote peace.

Multiple ways one could use peace as a profession.

Beginning my journey as a peace studies major, I imagined my future profession in peace to revolve around peacebuilding internationally, within the UN, or in the government. After studying peace for the past four years, I have discovered that a profession in peace is possible through multiple avenues, such as internationally and locally, through government, nonprofits, or combating social justice issues. Another avenue I discovered in my past class on mediation showed peace as a profession can occur on a small scale by dealing with interpersonal disputes between two parties. Mediation demonstrates how one can apply peace studies to multiple careers because conflict arises in many avenues where creative problem-solving, effective communication, and resolving conflict nonviolently are essential.

For my own interests in peace studies, I would like to contribute to the fight against human trafficking and the rehabilitation of survivors. There are multiple organizations where one could take a role in fighting against human trafficking, such as Amnesty International, Polaris, Mercy Corps, Coalition Against Trafficking in Women, and the International Justice Mission. Even a peace professional in combatting human trafficking can have many avenues, such as victim support and engaging in more emotional support with trauma-informed care for survivors to help cope with the aftermath. Other avenues could focus on each individual’s needs, such as developing plans to address their physical, legal, mental, and social needs, including shelter, medical care, counseling, legal aid, and educational opportunities. Another avenue can focus on advocacy and raising public awareness, such as outreach efforts, workshops, training sessions, and community events or advocating for policies and legislation that improve services for survivors and address the root causes of human trafficking. Lastly, one could be more crisis intervention, possibly with law enforcement, to provide immediate assistance to rescue survivors. 

A panel discussion of Human Trafficking by Amnesty International supported by multiple organizations.

Collaboration is also essential to combat human trafficking, where a profession in peace can be found in every aspect, such as mental health providers, domestic violence organizations, shelter organizations, social workers, and healthcare providers. In a more governmental approach, the U.S. Department of Justice has a considerable role in detecting and investigating human trafficking. They collaborate with the Office for Victims of Crime through The Enhanced Collaborative Model Human Trafficking Program, which develops and enhances human trafficking task forces to identify victims of sex and labor trafficking and ensure they have the right services with the collaboration of victim and social service providers, law enforcement and prosecution forces, and a range of governmental and non-governmental workers. The U.S. Department of Justice also assists the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program, which helps law enforcement agencies investigate Internet crimes against children. Another crucial player in combating human trafficking is the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Forces, which recovers survivors and investigates traffickers. Even through the government, there are multiple peace career options to combat human trafficking. 

Ultimately, a peace profession is possible with multiple career paths engaging in problem-solving and resolving conflict. For my own interest, there are a variety of peace professions in preventing and combating human trafficking as well as rehabilitation of survivors. 

When I began my Peace Studies major, I imagined a career in Peace & Justice had to pertain to international government and relations. This was probably due to the global emphasis in many of my classes. However, while I am still very interested in learning more about the international realm and being involved in international peace-building, peace as a profession does not have to fall into that single path. Not only have I come to understand many of the challenges of carrying out international humanitarian work, but I have also become inspired by local and domestic humanitarian work. Being a peacebuilder doesn’t mean you need to make significant, global-scale changes. Making a difference in one’s community or workplace is equally important and meaningful.

During my sophomore year, I started working in Chapman Disability Services at the Testing Center. Although working at a testing center does not seem like an obvious career in peace & justice, it is somewhat. I have always been passionate about advocating for people with disabilities after growing up with a sister who has a learning disability. I have seen firsthand how the education system does not accommodate those who think and work differently than expected. Therefore, it is incredibly meaningful to help make people’s educational experiences easier by assisting them to use their accommodations. Additionally, working with the Disability Service Center has inspired me to advocate for accessibility for everyone, not just at Chapman.

Another form of peace-building I have learned at Chapman is the art of storytelling. While I would not have guessed that storytelling would be one of my favorite forms of peace-building, it has become one of my main passions within Peace Studies. It began when I took “Ethnofiction Through Contemporary Narratives” with Professor Garcia during my freshman year. This class gave me the skills and confidence to write the stories I was passionate about sharing. In my junior year, I took “Unsung Stories and New Expression,” in which I made a film for Nadia’s Initiative about Western media’s portrayal of Yazidi women as victims instead of survivors. While I felt weary about being in a documentary class with zero film skills, I still felt like I had an essential role due to my background in Peace Studies. Since I had more experience studying the region and international conflicts, I helped us research more deeply. Additionally, our film embodied my Peace Studies background’s ethical and moral standards, providing a new perspective on how the group was portrayed. Recently, when these films were screened, my group was told that our “female gaze” shined through our film. I felt honored that others could see our intentions in portraying the Yazidi women in a more empowering manner. Making this film has made me want to be a part of sharing new stories.

Through these experiences and classes, I have shifted my perspective on what a career in peace can look like. Although I tend to tell people I aspire to work at the United Nations or some other international body when asked what I want to do with my degree, I have moved past this generic answer. Working on a smaller scale in local matters makes peace-building more achievable and it is an essential step towards world peace. I plan on exploring careers in journalism and storytelling as a part of working towards a more peaceful and just world.