International relations are growing as humanity evolves and connects through business and commerce, migration, social media, and shared concerns regarding global environmental challenges.
International Relations and Political Science is a broad degree that focuses on the connection between countries and frequently examines the causes and consequences of state conflict. The best graduate schools for International Relations students typically focus on terrorism, international security, trade, warfare, human rights, and building peace to apply their knowledge to real-world situations.
There are several advantages to studying International Relations, which include:
- Versatility: Studying international relations entails investigating various aspects of the field. As part of your education, you will study macroeconomics, international organizations, history, human rights, social sciences, cybersecurity, and math. Understanding all of these things helps students comprehend international relations.
Ability to apply teachings in real-life situations: International relations coursework gives a solid basis for comprehending the relationships between people and organizations. International relations students can use their education to solve conflicts, negotiate, and solve real-world problems.
- Transferable abilities:
Students with an international relations education will often acquire and enhance transferrable abilities such as research and analytical abilities, communication and interpersonal skills, and specialized knowledge regarding intercultural methods.
- Several career options:
Many students become diplomats who work on various subjects such as climate change, environmental issues, and human trafficking. Even so, an academic background in international relations is not restricted to a political career. Students may work in intelligence as analysts or in international business.
- Influence real-world issues:
The best graduate schools for International Relations Students who want a political career can create and implement ideas to improve people’s lives worldwide. They may, for example, assist with coordinating counterterrorism, aid in natural disasters, advocate for human rights, and address issues such as extreme poverty and environmental concerns.
What Might You Do With An International Relations Degree?
- Diplomat: Maintaining good ties between countries is part of a diplomat’s job description. Diplomats promote and protect a country’s interests in trade, foreign policy, and consular affairs. Some responsibilities include gathering and reporting on information affecting the nation’s interests and discussing and negotiating problems such as trade, peace, economics, and cultural and social issues.
- Intelligence Analyst: Intelligence Analysts serve in the military, national security departments, navy, government security departments, and nearly any state department. Some essential responsibilities include collecting and analyzing operational intelligence data, performing mission reports, assessing results, and managing intelligence databases.
- Analyst of Public Policy: The government typically hires policy analysts. However, chances can be found in media firms or research organizations. They assess political trends, political parties, analyze laws, and advise government officials, and the media, among other things.
- Specialist in Communication: Communications professionals can operate in a local office with a worldwide reach. Non-profit organizations provide such assistance, but there are numerous additional possibilities. Primary responsibilities include:
- Developing and managing effective internal communications.
- Developing communication strategies.
- Composing media and social media content.
Bottom Line:
A degree in International Relations does not confine students to only political occupations. There are some other career options as well. Some of the most popular occupations and advantages in this field are discussed in this article.