Jobs for Debaters
There are several jobs that debaters tend to go on to:
• teaching high school and coaching HS debate
• coaching college debate as a graduate assistant
• coaching college debate with an MA or Phd (more the later than the former)
• being a lawyer (next step LSAT and law school)
Most tend to go into academia (PhD or high school level teaching) or go on to be lawyers. Oddly very few tend to go onto two obvious ventures they seem well suited for (to me this is more a function of recruiters and human resources not understanding the value of debate experience–as well as a function of how HR treats professional work “experience”):
• public relations executive
• internal communication
• technical writing
• online content editor
• book editor/book editor assistant
• market research
• investment consultant
• trainer
• life coach
• career coach
• legal assistant
• management consulting
• non-profit advocacy
• non-profit management
• public speaking consultant
• web programmer/developer
• technology consultant
• entrepreneur
• professor of public administration (natural fit)
• professor of non-profit management
• professor of mass communications
• professor of anthropology
I hope this list of jobs for debaters has been helpful. I think creating a portfolio (the online portfolio is very popular these days via blogs for writers or flickr for artists), networking, husselling (by asking questions of people who hold the job you want), and getting experience whether via internship or volunteering is the best way to get your foot in the door. Finally, this resource from the University of Georgia called “What do I do with a degree in communications?” may be helpful as you search for a possible career path. It also includes a list of suggestions for getting your foot in the door via an entry level job.
Compassion in Politics: Christian Social Entrepreneurship, Education Innovation, & Base of the Pyramid/BOP Solutions 
Thanks for the info. I doing a research paper on debating and I was looking a jobs, so I thank you, you’ve made my like easier.
Glad it was helpful Giovanna.
If you’re not familiar with Indeed–its quite helpful because it aggregates
http://www.indeed.com/
Finally, its hard for the internet saavy among us to realize that we have to do anything but search on the internet for jobs. Its critical to add strategically calling and networking–and leveraging personal connections to get jobs. The hiring process is incredibly relationship and network driven. Thats why it can be critical to work with your friends, family, and college counselor where they have strengths and skills to help you.
There is also the opportunity to add to your education with certifications and other forms of education. Often classes run from $25 to $250 at local venues (photography, design, photoshop, and other adult education opportunities).
“I’m an English Major Now What” while not a 1 to 1 relationship with all the humanities (like communication), is fairly well written–some of the first jobs it suggests are:
1) teaching domestically
2) teaching overseas
3) sales/telesales (although you probably need to believe in what you are selling–be it product or political agenda)
It is available for free on Google books. It also points out the limits of the english degree so you can supplement your education.
You may also want to check out a generic book on jobs for liberal arts students.