International relations is a field that is becoming more relevant as the world grows and interconnects through commerce and business, migration, social media, and mutual concerns about global environmental issues.
What Is an International Relations Major and What Does It Contain?
Political Science & International Relations is a diverse degree that mainly studies the relationship between countries and often analyzes the causes and effects of state conflict. International Relations students primarily focus on questions concerning international security, terrorism, trade, wars, human rights, and peace-building in order to apply this understanding to real-world work.
Benefits of Studying International Relations
Studying International Relations has a few perks that include:
Versatility
Studying international relations is exploring a variety of factors that comprise the field. During your education, you will take courses in macroeconomics, history, international organizations, human rights, cybersecurity, social sciences, and mathematics. Having an understanding of all of these helps students understand the relationships between countries.
Ability to apply lessons into real life
The coursework in international relations provides a solid foundation for understanding the relationships between individuals and organizations. Students of international relations can use their education for negotiations, to find solutions to a conflict or other real-life dilemmas.
Transferable skills
In addition to gaining specialized knowledge about intercultural approaches, students graduating from an international relations program will typically acquire and refine transferable skills such as their research and analytical skills, communication skills, and interpersonal skills.
Multiple career options
Many students become diplomats who work on a broad range of topics in areas such as environmental issues, climate change, or human trafficking. Still, a degree in international relations is not limited to a political path. Students can pursue a career in intelligence, such as an analyst or something in international business.
Have an impact on real issues
Students who choose to work in politics can develop and implement related policies that can potentially improve lives around the world. For example, they may work to coordinate counterterrorism, assist in natural crises, promote human rights, and address concerns like world hunger and environmental issues.
What Can You Do With An International Relations Degree
As we mentioned previously, an International Relations degree does not limit students into political careers; still, these are some of the most popular jobs in this field:
1. Diplomat
A diplomat’s job description is maintaining good relations between countries. Diplomats represent and protect a nation’s interests abroad in terms of politics, trade, and consular services. Some of the responsibilities are collecting and reporting on all the information that would affect the nation’s interests, discussing and negotiating issues like peace, trade, economics, and social and cultural aspects.
Average salary in the U.S.: $87,000 a year.
2. Intelligence Analyst
Intelligence analysts work in the military, the navy, national security departments, or almost any state department. Some primary duties include collecting and analyzing operational intelligence data, conducting mission reports, evaluating results, and maintaining intelligence databases.
Average salary in the U.S.: $70,000 a year.
3. Policy Analyst
Usually, policy analysts get employed by the government, but work opportunities can be found within media companies or research institutes. Some of the tasks that they do are interpreting political developments, analyzing laws, and advising government officials, political parties, or the media.
Average salary in the U.S.: $84,000 a year.
4. Lobbyist
Lobbyists usually get hired by an association, corporation, or non-profit organization. Given the varied interests in global trade deals, most lobbyists work in country capitals. Lobbyists’ leading roles are monitoring, researching, and analyzing legislation, attending congressional hearings, reaching out to government policymakers, and using communication tools to promote ideas to the public.
Average salary in the U.S.: $71,000 a year
5. Communications Specialist
Communications specialists have the chance to work at a local office that has a global reach. Non-profit agencies like World Vision and Red Cross provide such services, but there are many other options. Primary duties include creating effective communication strategies, handling internal communications, writing content for media, and social networks.
Average salary in the U.S.: $50,000 a year.
You can get prepared for any of these careers by getting a degree in Political Science and International Relations at BAU. If you have any questions or want additional information, we encourage you to contact us anytime.