What Can I Do With A Major In International Relations
International Relations (IR) is the comprehensive study of global issues of importance in the contemporary world. IR is an interdisciplinary program that exposes students to other cultures, people, and places in order to understand one’s own culture from an international perspective and gain a deeper appreciation of a global society. Students choose from courses in a variety of academic departments including Politics, History, Anthropology, and Business and Economics. A major in IR will develop the ability to work with diverse groups of people and will also develop transferable skills that are valued by employers including analysis, research, writing, problem solving, and- often- knowledge of another language. IR graduates may find employment in business, government, nonprofits, social services, consulting firms, and educational institutions depending on their skills, experience, and interests.
Career Planning
Professional Associations
- Agency for International Trade Information and Cooperation
- American Association of Exporters & Importers
- American Association of Language Specialties
- American Foreign Policy Council
- American Foreign Service Association
- American Political Science Association
- American Translators Association
- Association of Professional Schools in International Affairs
- Federation of International Trade Association
- International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language
- National Association of International Educators
- Society for Human Resource Management
Miscellaneous
- American Institute for Foreign Study
- American Foreign Policy Council
- Amnesty International
- Carnegie Junior Fellows
- Center for International Private Enterprise
- Center for Strategic and International Studies
- Council of the Americas
- Council on International Education Exchange
- Cultural Survival
- Euro Pages
- Foreign Policy Association
- International Center for Journalists
- International Chamber of Commerce
- International Committee of the Red Cross
- International News Links
- International School Services
- One Small Planet
- Public Citizen
- Riley Guide International Resources
- Save the Children
- Transitions Abroad
- The Cato Institute
- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- UNICEF
- United Nations
- US International Trade Commission
- World Bank
- World Economic Forum
- World Trade Organization
Related Career Titles
College/University Professor
Community Service Managers
Congressional Aide
Economist
Export Agent
Foreign Area Specialist
Foreign Exchange Trader
Foreign Language Interpreter
Foreign Service Officer
Foreign Service Peacekeeping Specialist
Foreign Student Adviser
Government Services Executives
Industrial Relations Analyst
Industrial Relations Specialist
Intelligence Specialist (Government)
International Relations Specialist
Labor Relations Advisor
Legislator
Market Research Analyst
Missionary Worker (Foreign Country)
Political Science Professor
Political Scientist
Reporter
Technological Intelligence Agent
Translator
This is just a sampling of titles, for a more comprehensive list and details on the professions including employment outlook and salary information, log into the Focus Program.