Degrees earned through a graduate program in international relations are often associated with intrigue and James Bond fantasies, but anyone who pursues this degree with that kind of life in mind may be disappointed. Those who are globally inclined, however, may find this career path appealing. Some people are born with the travel bug. Some are naturally interested in other cultures. If you are innately curious and inclined to be on the move, you shouldn’t ignore your instincts as you build your career. Instead, you should tailor your education and experience so that, when you’re ready for the workforce, you’ll be employable in your desired field.
Perhaps you got your Bachelor’s in political science or economics, but aren’t sure where to go from there. Going to graduate school for international relations is an excellent way to delve into the field. Core courses you’ll likely have to take are foreign policy and international law, while electives include anthropology and politics as well as conflict resolution.
The type of work you can do after successfully completing a graduate program in this field runs the gamut. You can work for the U.S. government in numerous capacities, stateside and overseas. You also can work for a private company, or seek employment with a nonprofit.
Many people enter this field with the hope of entering the U.S. Foreign Service and becoming a diplomat. The service, which has about 3,000 members, is extremely tough to get into and requires a rigorous and highly selective testing process. If you make it through, you’ll probably spend the better part of the next 20 years overseas, though the screening process takes about a year. The test is free and is administered in an SAT-like setting a few times throughout the year.
If you don’t want to wait a year to get started, or the process seems a little daunting, you can still work for the U.S. government in a different capacity. You can look into work with places like the Agency for International Development, the National Security Administration, or the Central Intelligence Agency. Or, if you’re so inclined, you can use your education to pursue a career within the U.S. military.
As a holder of this degree, your options will be far from limited to work within the public sector. Even if you don’t have an accompanying Master’s in Business Administration, it’s possible to find work with a foreign company operating overseas or in part on American soil, like a bank. You can also work for a nonprofit or non-governmental organization (NGO).
Regardless of what route you go, it’s important that you complete at least one internship over the course of your graduate studies. Internships will not only give you real world experience, but they’ll also give you a chance to start building a network of professionals working within your field. An independent study can also be beneficial to your future career.