Careers for International Relations Global Studies Majors
Global Studies and International Relations are intersecting fields of study that concern world politics, cultural differences and similarities, methods of cross-cultural communication, the inter-connectivity of national policy and the manner in which all of these things intersect on the global stage. Careers for Global Studies and International Relations majors run the gamut from government positions to private sector jobs, academic appointments and NGO work in various cultures and nations.
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Public Service Jobs
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Public service jobs are government careers. International Relations and Global Studies majors have numerous opportunities in a career in public service. Students with an expertise in a certain field or fluency in a foreign language can find diplomatic work as a representative of the United States in the State Department or at an embassy. The Department of Defense employs intelligence officers who assist in the assessment and analysis of intelligence information regarding foreign nations. Graduates with experience in working with major immigrant populations in the United States can find work in social services. Public service careers may also be available with the United Nations.
Private Sector Jobs
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Private sector jobs are those with non-governmental, for-profit industries. International Relations and Global Studies majors are eligible for careers in a number of private sector industries, including international law and business. Such positions require the expertise of translators and cultural interpreters to insure full comprehension between all parties involved in all legal or business proceedings in a given instance. Special-interest private research firms and think tanks hire International Relations and Global Studies majors to assist with projects that will eventually be used to pressure politicians into considering legislative changes.
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Academic Jobs
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Academic jobs involve research and teaching. International Relations and Global Studies majors who continue to graduate school and receive a master's or doctoral degree are eligible to teach at the collegiate level. Colleges and universities expect professors to undertake research projects and publish their findings. Teaching jobs are also available at the high school level. Academic research jobs differ from private-sector research jobs in that there is neither political motivation nor dogmatic agenda behind the research.
NGOs and Nonprofits
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NGOs, or nongovernmental organizations, are independent entities often undertaking work that heavily affects international relations. NGOs do work related to international development, international relations, global politics, world hunger, human rights, women's rights and countless other causes. The number of NGOs in the world is astounding: the Express India newspaper estimates that as of 2009, there were 3.3 million NGOs in India alone.
Nonprofits are tax-exempt organizations doing work that is considered to benefit the greater good. Such organizations do work in countless fields. International Relations and Global studies majors may find careers at nonprofit organizations working with immigrant populations, in foreign nations or on an international scale.
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References
- CollegeBoard: International Relations
- CollegeBoard: Global Studies
- Making the Difference: International Relations Jobs with the Federal Government
- Lehigh University: Careers in International Affairs
- Lehigh University: Careers in Global Studies
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville: Global Studies Major
Resources
- Photo Credit united nations plaza, manhattan, nyc image by Albo from Fotolia.com
