| According to one source, international relations is | | | | - Duration of program - How long will you be |
| defined as the multidisciplinary study of the | | | | working in the international program? |
| behavior of nations, as well as international | | | | It's said that international relations majors should |
| governmental and non-governmental | | | | be interested in obtaining a liberal arts education. |
| organizations. It allows students to learn about | | | | Some other characteristics of these students are: |
| various relationships, conflicts, and the efforts of | | | | - Being comfortable in learning a foreign language |
| these nations and organizations in their searches | | | | - Doing extensive amounts of reading and writing |
| for global order. | | | | - Developing skills in research, analysis, and |
| Have you ever thought about working outside of | | | | presentation/communication and job preparation |
| the United States? If so, then you might be | | | | skills |
| interested in finding an entry level job in | | | | - Analyzing complex social and political situations |
| international relations. People who want to work | | | | College graduates who decide on a career in |
| abroad are usually drawn to opportunities to | | | | international relations usually have a bachelor's |
| experience life in another culture. By taking part | | | | degree in the field. They have taken courses in |
| in another culture's lifestyle, you could clear up any | | | | economics, political science, sociology, |
| misconceptions that may exist in your mind. | | | | anthropology, history, and business to prepare |
| Working in another country allows you not only to | | | | them for various entry level jobs in international |
| learn new skills and raise your cultural awareness, | | | | relations. In addition, depending on the institution, |
| but potentially can give you an advantage over | | | | students may take courses such as Diplomacy |
| other people looking for jobs in the United States | | | | and Global Security, Global Economy, Current |
| because of your international experience. Of | | | | Diplomatic Issues, and The Third World. Here is |
| course there are factors to consider before you | | | | a list of some of the jobs: |
| decide to accept an entry level job in international | | | | - Archivist |
| relations such as money and travel requirements, | | | | - Demographer |
| but if you can overcome any such obstacles, | | | | - Diplomat |
| more power to you. | | | | - Foreign Affairs Analyst |
| College students and recent graduates should | | | | - Foreign Affairs Specialist |
| understand that programs offered in international | | | | - Immigration Specialist |
| relations may take a while to apply for, as well as | | | | - Journalist |
| the time necessary to find an entry level job in | | | | - Language Specialist |
| international relations. In addition, there is a need | | | | - Market Research Analyst |
| to save money to provide for yourself while | | | | To find information on getting a job abroad or |
| working globally. That's why it's important to | | | | viewing international job listings or internship |
| choose a program that fits your needs and wants | | | | listings, contact: |
| and to plan early for it. Some of these | | | | - American Foreign Service Association |
| programs include agriculture, business, foreign | | | | - One Small Planet |
| relations, and teaching. | | | | - The Peace Corps. |
| Today, we live in a global economy, where | | | | - United Nations Internships and Careers |
| businesses are making and spending money in | | | | - U.S. State Department Career Opportunities |
| other countries. This is due to globalization, the | | | | While some of the jobs are not associated with |
| expansion of businesses into other countries. | | | | the federal government, employment |
| With this gradually increasing practice in the U.S., | | | | opportunities in this area do exist for those who |
| more employers are looking for more "globally | | | | have experience in international relations. Federal |
| minded" workers. Therefore, having experience | | | | agencies that have workers abroad include: |
| in the world of international business could be an | | | | - Department of Agriculture |
| asset for job seekers in international relations. | | | | - Department of Commerce |
| There are both professional benefits and personal | | | | - Department of Defense |
| benefits to having work experience in international | | | | - Department of the Air Force |
| relations. On the professional side, working | | | | - Department of the Army |
| abroad can help you apply any classroom studies | | | | - Department of State (also has internship |
| to a real world experience and increase your | | | | opportunities) |
| qualifications in the hopes of getting an entry level | | | | - U.S. Agency for International Development |
| job in international relations. A survey done by | | | | - Peace Corps. |
| The Institute for International Education of | | | | - U.S. Information Agency |
| Students indicated that more students may seek | | | | The federal government also has internship |
| international careers if they participated in | | | | opportunities available in international relations if |
| internships overseas. If you decide not to take a | | | | you're interested. |
| permanent job abroad, the skills you obtain might | | | | Salaries for jobs in international relations will |
| still be valuable when it comes to finding | | | | depend on factors like the type of position, your |
| employment in the U.S. that requires some | | | | experience, and your location. In the United |
| international experience. The personal benefits of | | | | States, one source reports an average starting |
| having work experience in international relations | | | | salary to be $41,400, while the average |
| include allowing yourself time to examine career | | | | mid-career salary is $80,500. |
| opportunities, having new cultural experiences, and | | | | The most important part of deciding to work in |
| finding out more about yourself. Also, by living in | | | | another country is finding something that interest |
| another culture, you can gain more of a | | | | you. After all, you want to have the best |
| perspective on the lifestyles of people who don't | | | | international experience possible. Consider all the |
| live in the U.S. | | | | factors involved in this decision, and do extensive |
| Here is some criteria to consider when working | | | | research before making any long-term |
| abroad: | | | | commitments. Who knows? Once you've had |
| - Professional focus - Is there an opportunity to | | | | a taste of another culture, you might want to |
| learn about specific careers? | | | | stay abroad and get an entry level job in |
| - Location of program - How does location impact | | | | international relations. |
| the type of experience you want to have? | | | | If you have an interest and are willing to make |
| - Degree of cultural immersion - Can you interact | | | | the preparations, then an international relations job |
| with the local culture? | | | | may be right for you. |
| - Degree of pre-trip job placement - Will you be | | | | Sources (Information provided by Dawn |
| responsible for finding a job as well as housing? | | | | Rosenberg McKay, About. |