Careers: International Relations opportunities

It used to be that majoring in International Relations meant you were bound for a career with the State Service, or perhaps slogging it out with an NGO (Non-governmental organization). The latter, in particular, could often be disillusioning - under the patina of "saving the world" often came less-than-invigorating administrative/secretarial/maintenance chores.

Thankfully IR majors have a lot more to look forward to these days, courtesy of the shrinking world. Any organization, public/private, for-profit or non-profit that conducts business, cultural exchanges or diplomacy across borders needs people with a global studies/initiatives background.

In the public world, it's no longer just the State Dept. (or CIA) looking for such skills. Think Agriculture, Commerce, Peace Corps, USAID, US Information Agency and Defense, just to name a few departments. In the private world, large multinationals (or smaller companies wanting to "go global") need people with language skills (translators and interpretors) and cultural know-how in order to foster successful relationships with potential customers, vendors, employees, investors, political allies and business affiliates. Think-tanks, universities, private foundations and other research centers likewise are increasingly needing IR talent - because these days, leaving the global component off of one's business/marketing plan, teachings or research will prove to be a self-limiting and ultimately fatal decision.

Internships, or at a minimum student exchange and/or foreign travel, can certainly help in the preparations. My nephew, a student at George Washington University, finagled an internship last summer working for a British MP (Member of Parliament). This page-like assigment allowed him to pick up exciting international experience, make incredible networking connections, gather a few school credits, get paid, and of course, party-it-up in London for a summer... not a bad gig, all in all!