Are you interested in pursuing an international relations degree? This study field has become more and more popular today, especially with the number of global events that also have an impact in political, economic, cultural, and social life. Not only is this an attractive discipline, it is also broad and versatile. Pursuing this degree will provide great insights on laws, public policies, social issues, political affairs, and economic trends, in which everything’s linked together to create the big picture. Even so, it’s also understandable if this becomes your concern: your career prospects.
Career Prospects for International Relations Degree
- Opportunities in government and politics.
With this degree, you can pursue a career in the government sector, especially foreign services career at national level. Or you can opt for joining the diplomacy department if you’ve got knowledge about other countries, including their language, culture, political environment, and so on. Other options you can consider when working in the government sector with a degree in international relations also include intelligence specialist (in the navy, the military, or security departments) and political analyst (as researchers; the opportunities are also within research institutes or media companies).
- Opportunities in international law and business.
Being a lobbyist is also another career opportunity as someone with international relations degree. Lobbyists are hired to convince members of government institution so they’d make a decision to benefit the organization represented. Alternatively, you can also work as an international lawyer, be it in the government sectors, corporations, or even non-profit organizations. There are various issues the international lawyers will need to deal with, such as finance, banking, and trade law.
- Opportunities in a non-profit organization.
You can also work to improve the welfare of the society with this degree. Join the non-profit organizations operating on the international level so you’ll get the chance to shape your career with opportunities to travel to other countries.
Graduates from international relations major often impress many employers due to the qualities they possess, such as the extensive knowledge and interdisciplinary skills. In addition to that, they also often demonstrate an exceptional communication and language abilities. This is why graduating an international relations degree may open up a vast opportunity to pursue career in various fields, such as journalism, economics, or research analysis. This is why you should also develop the set of skill during your study, such as learning foreign languages, communication skills, problem-solving skills, and negotiation and persuasion abilities.