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Sara
Student
Apple Valley, Minnesota
1
Question
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what can i do if i study international relations?
Where exactly can I be hired with a degree in International Relations? For which companies can I apply with this degree? In which fields of work can I develop my skils?
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Jacob Taylor
Production Manager
523
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Stafford, Virginia
Updated
Jacob’s Answer
Studying International Relations can open up a wide range of career opportunities. Here's some advice on what you can do with a degree in International Relations and where you can be hired:
1. **Government and Diplomacy:** Many graduates in International Relations work for government agencies, such as the State Department, Department of Defense, or intelligence agencies. These roles involve diplomacy, foreign policy analysis, and international negotiations.
2. **International Organizations:** Consider working for international organizations like the United Nations, World Bank, or the International Red Cross. These organizations focus on global issues, humanitarian aid, and development.
3. **Nonprofit and NGOs:** Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) hire International Relations graduates to work on issues such as human rights, global health, environmental conservation, and humanitarian relief.
4. **Corporate Sector:** International businesses often seek individuals with knowledge of global politics and economics. Roles in international marketing, trade compliance, and global business development can be suitable for International Relations graduates.
5. **Journalism and Media:** If you have strong communication skills, you can become a foreign correspondent, international news analyst, or work in media organizations covering global events.
6. **Think Tanks and Research Institutes:** These organizations conduct policy research and analysis on international issues. They often hire International Relations experts to contribute to research and policy recommendations.
7. **Security and Intelligence:** If you have an interest in security and intelligence, consider careers in areas like counterterrorism, cybersecurity, or intelligence analysis.
8. **Consulting:** Management and strategy consulting firms often value the analytical and problem-solving skills that International Relations graduates possess. They may work on projects related to global market entry, geopolitical risk assessment, or international trade.
9. **Academia and Education:** If you're passionate about teaching and research, pursue advanced degrees (e.g., master's or PhD) and consider a career in academia, teaching International Relations at colleges or universities.
10. **Law and Human Rights Advocacy:** International Relations can be a stepping stone to law school. Many lawyers specialize in international law, human rights law, or immigration law.
11. **Global Development:** Work for organizations focused on international development and poverty alleviation, such as USAID or the Gates Foundation.
To develop your skills, consider internships, volunteering, or part-time positions while in school or after graduation. Networking with professionals in your field of interest can also provide valuable insights and job opportunities.
In addition to academic knowledge, soft skills like cross-cultural communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability are highly valuable in this field. Keep abreast of current global events and consider learning a second language, as language proficiency can be a significant asset in many international careers.
Remember that your career path can be dynamic and evolve over time. Keep an open mind, gain practical experience, and align your career choices with your passions and strengths within the field of International Relations.
1. **Government and Diplomacy:** Many graduates in International Relations work for government agencies, such as the State Department, Department of Defense, or intelligence agencies. These roles involve diplomacy, foreign policy analysis, and international negotiations.
2. **International Organizations:** Consider working for international organizations like the United Nations, World Bank, or the International Red Cross. These organizations focus on global issues, humanitarian aid, and development.
3. **Nonprofit and NGOs:** Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) hire International Relations graduates to work on issues such as human rights, global health, environmental conservation, and humanitarian relief.
4. **Corporate Sector:** International businesses often seek individuals with knowledge of global politics and economics. Roles in international marketing, trade compliance, and global business development can be suitable for International Relations graduates.
5. **Journalism and Media:** If you have strong communication skills, you can become a foreign correspondent, international news analyst, or work in media organizations covering global events.
6. **Think Tanks and Research Institutes:** These organizations conduct policy research and analysis on international issues. They often hire International Relations experts to contribute to research and policy recommendations.
7. **Security and Intelligence:** If you have an interest in security and intelligence, consider careers in areas like counterterrorism, cybersecurity, or intelligence analysis.
8. **Consulting:** Management and strategy consulting firms often value the analytical and problem-solving skills that International Relations graduates possess. They may work on projects related to global market entry, geopolitical risk assessment, or international trade.
9. **Academia and Education:** If you're passionate about teaching and research, pursue advanced degrees (e.g., master's or PhD) and consider a career in academia, teaching International Relations at colleges or universities.
10. **Law and Human Rights Advocacy:** International Relations can be a stepping stone to law school. Many lawyers specialize in international law, human rights law, or immigration law.
11. **Global Development:** Work for organizations focused on international development and poverty alleviation, such as USAID or the Gates Foundation.
To develop your skills, consider internships, volunteering, or part-time positions while in school or after graduation. Networking with professionals in your field of interest can also provide valuable insights and job opportunities.
In addition to academic knowledge, soft skills like cross-cultural communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability are highly valuable in this field. Keep abreast of current global events and consider learning a second language, as language proficiency can be a significant asset in many international careers.
Remember that your career path can be dynamic and evolve over time. Keep an open mind, gain practical experience, and align your career choices with your passions and strengths within the field of International Relations.
Edward Harvey, MBA
Military Communications Support
4
Answers
Nevada City, California
Updated
Edward’s Answer
International relations is a great field of study with broad application across a wide variety of careers.
The single largest employer of International Affairs majors is probably the US Government. My background was as a military officer where my international expertise and fluency in foreign languages put me in a great position to work directly with foreign militaries. I was also able to work in US Embassies overseas, where I saw that the majority of our Foreign Service Officers were either International Affairs or Political Science majors. ALL branches and agencies in the US Government have positions for International Affairs majors.
Any multinational company (Bechtel, Shell, Exxon, MicroSoft, etc) will have need for International Relations majors, especially if you are willing to live and work in overseas locations. If you can enhance that major with a minor or a second major in a complementary field like finance, security studies, a regional specialization, or foreign languages, it will make you more marketable for working either in specialized careers or in parts of the world that interest you.
Good luck!
Ed
The single largest employer of International Affairs majors is probably the US Government. My background was as a military officer where my international expertise and fluency in foreign languages put me in a great position to work directly with foreign militaries. I was also able to work in US Embassies overseas, where I saw that the majority of our Foreign Service Officers were either International Affairs or Political Science majors. ALL branches and agencies in the US Government have positions for International Affairs majors.
Any multinational company (Bechtel, Shell, Exxon, MicroSoft, etc) will have need for International Relations majors, especially if you are willing to live and work in overseas locations. If you can enhance that major with a minor or a second major in a complementary field like finance, security studies, a regional specialization, or foreign languages, it will make you more marketable for working either in specialized careers or in parts of the world that interest you.
Good luck!
Ed