3 answers
Laura
Student
Virginia Beach, Virginia
1
Question
Asked
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What kind of job can I get with an International Relations degree?
I graduated high school in 2024 and took a gap year to study Arabic in Morocco for 9 months. In university I plan to study international relations and Arabic. However, I don't know what kind of jobs I should be looking for when I am done with university.
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3 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Advisor | Freelance Writer | TRIO Program Director
1060
Answers
Tacoma, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
A degree in international relations can lead to a variety of careers in fields like government, international organizations, and the private sector. It is an extremely flexible degree, where you can choose a diversity of career options.
Individuals who have these degrees can pursue roles such as foreign service officer, intelligence analyst, international development worker, diplomat, journalist, or political risk analyst.
Other paths include work in non-profits, national or regional think tanks, global business, and consulting.
Here is a list of the positions, that you might consider.
In the public sector:
*Government: Diplomat, foreign service officer, intelligence analyst, policy officer, political risk analyst, or government social research officer.
*Intergovernmental organizations: Work for groups like the United Nations, World Bank, or World Health Organization in areas such as humanitarian aid, international law, or policy analysis. The Gates Foundation is a good example of one of these.
*Non-governmental organizations (NGOs): Focus on human rights, development, disaster relief, or healthcare through non-profits and humanitarian organizations.
In the private sector:
*Business and trade: Work in international business development, global supply chain management, international marketing, or as an international marketing specialist.
*Consulting: Advise multinational corporations or work as a political risk analyst for a consulting firm.
*Finance: Pursue roles in areas like banking, credit institutions, or international rating agencies.
*Media: Become an international journalist, foreign correspondent, or reporting on global events.
*Law: Work as a paralegal or, with further education, become an international lawyer.
*Education: Teach at the university level or work in education-focused organizations.
*Research: Work for think tanks, research institutes, or other research centers.
*Communications: Become a lobbyist or public relations specialist.
Individuals who have these degrees can pursue roles such as foreign service officer, intelligence analyst, international development worker, diplomat, journalist, or political risk analyst.
Other paths include work in non-profits, national or regional think tanks, global business, and consulting.
Here is a list of the positions, that you might consider.
In the public sector:
*Government: Diplomat, foreign service officer, intelligence analyst, policy officer, political risk analyst, or government social research officer.
*Intergovernmental organizations: Work for groups like the United Nations, World Bank, or World Health Organization in areas such as humanitarian aid, international law, or policy analysis. The Gates Foundation is a good example of one of these.
*Non-governmental organizations (NGOs): Focus on human rights, development, disaster relief, or healthcare through non-profits and humanitarian organizations.
In the private sector:
*Business and trade: Work in international business development, global supply chain management, international marketing, or as an international marketing specialist.
*Consulting: Advise multinational corporations or work as a political risk analyst for a consulting firm.
*Finance: Pursue roles in areas like banking, credit institutions, or international rating agencies.
*Media: Become an international journalist, foreign correspondent, or reporting on global events.
*Law: Work as a paralegal or, with further education, become an international lawyer.
*Education: Teach at the university level or work in education-focused organizations.
*Research: Work for think tanks, research institutes, or other research centers.
*Communications: Become a lobbyist or public relations specialist.
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Laura. Your experience studying Arabic in Morocco already gives you a strong advantage, because language skills and international experience are very valuable. You could work in global business and international trade. Companies that do business in different countries need people who understand international markets and cultures. Jobs in this area include international marketing, global supply chain work, business consulting, etc. Speaking Arabic can make you a strong candidate for these roles.
Another path is research and policy. Think tanks, research centers, and universities need people who can study global trends, write reports, and analyze political or economic issues. If you enjoy writing or researching, this may be a good fit.
You might also consider translation or interpretation if you become fluent in Arabic. Translators work for government agencies, news companies, international organizations, or businesses.
Moreover, there are jobs in education and cultural exchange. You could work with study abroad programs, international student offices, or groups that promote cultural understanding and language learning.
Another path is research and policy. Think tanks, research centers, and universities need people who can study global trends, write reports, and analyze political or economic issues. If you enjoy writing or researching, this may be a good fit.
You might also consider translation or interpretation if you become fluent in Arabic. Translators work for government agencies, news companies, international organizations, or businesses.
Moreover, there are jobs in education and cultural exchange. You could work with study abroad programs, international student offices, or groups that promote cultural understanding and language learning.
Frank Rexach
International Business Leader
16
Answers
Dana Point, California
Updated
Frank’s Answer
Hi Laura, great question. What I personally learned in my own journey was that an international position from Day 1 after graduation is very difficult to obtain. Most global companies, for example, want to recruit new talent for entry level roles in the countries within which they operate because of government restrictions to hire from the local talent pool. For this reason, the best first step is to identify those companies which are 'global' already and find your first job in the U.S. market. You can then look to move within the company to position yourself for an overseas assignment in the future. In terms of leveraging your language capabilities, look to understand which industries have a focus in investing the Middle East so that you can target those specifically for your first domestic role. Good luck to you!