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Are you searching for the reasons why you should study international relations? In this post, we will talk about some of the reasons why you should study international relations. We will also talk about some of the best career paths for international relations graduates.
International relations is a course that introduces you to the world of politics and the socio-historical impact of global development. You will get to learn about the different governing policies and political systems around the world. You will understand their connection with a wide range of international issues such as global ethics, climate change, global poverty, human rights, etc.
There are other popular names used to refer to International Relationships, such as Global Affairs, International Affairs, Global studies or International studies. Because it is a relatively new discipline, the courses, curriculum, and academic approach may vary significantly from one institution to another.
Are you wondering why you should consider studying International Relations? Here are some of the reasons.
International Relations programs are designed to help prepare students to develop communication skills that can be applied across diverse cultures. Apart from acquiring specialized knowledge centred around intercultural approaches and theories, students studying international relations will develop the following skills:
The skills you acquire while studying international relations can be applied in many other industries and areas. Even if you decide not to continue your career path in International relations, these skills will help you in your other areas of endeavour.
Studying International relations will position you to address contemporary global issues. The world is living in a time where the overall living standards are higher than what it ought to be. The human race is facing diverse challenges despite constant scientific discoveries and technological advancement. Human trafficking, kidnapping, insurgency, poverty, inequality, and corruption are some of the problems faced by nations.
After graduating with an International Relations degree, you’ll be able to work with NGOs, private/public institutions, or local governments to address these trending issues. Whether you choose to implement public policies or collaborate with organizations to implement welfare projects, you’ll be helping to reduce the suffering and social injustice in the world.
Also read: Top 10 Scholarships to Study International Relations
Although a degree in International Relations prepares you for a career path in Politics, your career options and opportunities are in no way limited to politics alone. Because the skills acquired during the study are transferable, students who study international relations go further to work in different industries and careers including activism, national security, military intelligence and analysis, international business frontiers, and more.
Many graduates go on to become diplomats and work in a wide variety of areas like:
Preservation of cultural property
Most people who get to study international relations do so because they are passionate about making the world a better place regardless of their career goals.
Individuals who use their degrees to work in politics (e.g. ambassadors, activists, diplomats) can achieve their goals by developing privacy policies that can help make the world a better place by improving the lives of people. For example, they can
Also, those who choose to go into the business path after their graduation can be agents of change. They can help champion an organization’s strategic and charitable operations.
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International relations is not a course that exists in isolation from other related courses. Whether you’re in a consulate/embassy or working as an ambassador, your job will be a collaborative one. For example, Diplomats collaborate with different agencies to establish ties between people around the world and also learn how to connect people across borders to achieve a common international goal. They work with people from all works of life including professionals from intelligence services, military, law enforcement, agriculture, trade, commerce, science, and technology.
To be highly successful in your career as a business executive, lobbyist, ambassador or diplomat in a particular region, you’ll have to immerse yourself in other cultures. Part of the experience will require you to learn another country’s traditions, cultures, and language. In addition to making you highly proficient at your job, it will position you for deep personal growth which is incredibly fulfilling.
Depending on your aspirations, interests, and experiences, career opportunities related to International relations in the Public, Private, or NGO space are always in abundance. If you’re considering a career in government, you can opt in for a role in intelligence or security. This will allow you to be involved with international relations projects. More so, studying international relations is a great starting point to kickstart your ambition to be an ambassador or diplomat.
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Studying international relations positions you to have real-life experience. It helps you to understand where and how strategies, policies, laws, and conflicts have an impact around the world. Most institutions around the world are now integrating compulsory study and work experience in the curriculum to help students have a practical application of what they learned within the four walls of a classroom.
According to data from Glassdoor, International Relations jobs have some of the best salaries. However, this depends on some factors like the country you reside. But one thing is certain: careers in international relations have very lucrative salaries. For example, here are the average salaries for some of the most popular jobs in international relations culled from Glassdoor
Are you still wondering why you should study international relations? Take a look at some of the most renowned world leaders who studied the course.
There are different career opportunities for graduates of international relations. The career paths are usually classified into three main sectors: non-profit (NGO). Private (business), public (government). The undergraduate courses are designed to offer a wide range of knowledge and cutting-edge skills to graduates. The above classification of career paths positions graduates to switch from positions in charities, the private sector, and government.
It is a common practice for people who work in this sector to switch from one type of career path to the other. Some of the most popular career paths for international relations students include
The civil service is the main public service provider offering graduates of international relations different career openings. Civil service job openings include the Ministry of Defence, Department of International Development, and Department of Foreign Affairs.
A career path in the central intelligence agency is one of the safe havens for international relations graduates. Gaining an appointment in this sector is seen as a huge achievement and requires a rigorous application process but opportunities exist for graduates
The best shot on this career path is working with the Department of Political Affairs at the UN. Political affairs officers work tirelessly to help nations resolve conflicts and prevent war. They work to proffer peaceful political solutions to foster peaceful coexistence between nations
Most international relations graduates pursue career paths in diplomacy. Diplomats are ambassadors appointed to represent their nation’s government in its relation with other organizations and governments. They work to protect the interests of their nation while working closely to promote friendship with other nations.
This career path is one of the high-demand positions sought after by international relations graduates. However, pursuing a career path in this sector will require further studies in addition to your international relations degree. Your main focus is to special in banking and finance concerning international relations.
Another possible career option available for international relations graduates is to enter into the Armed forces as an international affairs officer. The armed forces of any nation play a key role in foreign policy implementation.
The goal of a Foreign Service officer is to promote stability and advance his/her country’s interest in the eyes of the world. Pursuing a career as a Foreign Service officer will position you to serve in Africa, and America. Europe, Asia or the Middle East at one of the consulates or embassies.
As a research consultant, your work is to undertake research, collect finding-based papers, report conclusions and make recommendations. Every year there are several globally interested Non-governmental organizations and private organizations who are searching for passionate and excellent research consultants to work with
International relations is a very marketable and lucrative course to study. The benefits that come from studying this course are so vast and cannot be overemphasized. At this point, we believe the information we have shared in this post is sufficient enough to help you make up your mind to study International Relations.
Do you want to study abroad? Note that obtaining a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in this field helps to improve your chances in the labour market. Studying abroad is no joke for international students due to the cost. However, you can achieve your dreams without breaking the bank by applying for student loans, which you can pay for as long as 10 years.
MPower Finance and Prodigy Finance are some of the best student loan providers for international students. They also do not require a cosigner or collateral before an application. Reach out to us today, and let’s help you begin the process.
This post was last modified on September 6, 2024 1:19 pm