In our increasingly interconnected world, and even if we look back in history, relationships between nations are of the utmost importance when it comes to facing global issues (such as pandemics, terrorism, and the environment), advancing human culture, conducting international trade, and business, etc.
International relations majors are designed to give students strong theoretical foundations on global societies and their interactions. Students will develop expertise in diplomacy and foreign policy. This degree includes coursework in law & ethics, political economy, diplomatic history, among other core and elective subjects.
Let’s take a look at some of the highest paying and sought after international studies major careers.
1. Economist
Economists use various computer programs to gather and present data. They advise private and government organizations on different aspects of economics, such as tax rates, health statistics, transportation, international trade, and development.
What does an economist do?
An economists tasks include:
- Designing and conducting research
- Identifying trends and formulating budget models
- Advising the government, agencies, corporations, and banks on adopting financial policies
- Compiling reports and illustrations of research findings
- Formulating data collection methods concerning finance, labor, agriculture, trade, etc.
Economist salary
The national average salary for an economist is between $75,703 and $97,811.
[lgw-widget id=”3″]2. Diplomat
Diplomats (often referred to as Foreign Service Officers) represent their country and its interests abroad to ensure that diplomacy persists. These representatives are resilient negotiators who promote peace, protect citizens abroad, and encourage prosperity.
What does a diplomat do?
A diplomat’s responsibilities are:
- Building trust
- Overseeing international relations such as human rights, and the environment
- Negotiating treaties and global agreements
- Conducting consular activities
- Collaborating on economic issues
- Managing embassy operations
Diplomat salary
The national average salary for a diplomat ranges from $89,078 to $106,344.
3. Political Analyst
Political Analysts (also referred to as Political Scientists or Policy Analysts) research political systems, develop political theories through analysis of historical documents, and advise national leaders or management about a government’s policy and their implications for the government or the company.
What does a political analyst do?
A political analysts’ duties include:
- Monitoring national political trends, policy decisions, and legislation changes
- Writing political updates daily
- Generating materials for national and regional political briefings
- Gathering data from public opinion surveys, election results, and other sources
- Conducting statistical analysis
- Interpreting research findings
Political analyst salary
The national average salary for a political analyst is $90,606.
4. Lobbyist
These professionals use their political skills to influence governmental decisions and elected officials to vote in their organization’s best interests. Lobbyists obtain information on how political systems work effectively and are active at all levels of government.
What does a lobbyist do?
The duties of a lobbyist include:
- Ensuring clients’ policies are shared with government officials
- Communicating governmental and other parties’ reports and responses to team members and clients
- Researching and examining legislation and regulatory proposals
- Attending congressional hearings
Lobbyist salary
The average salary of a lobbyist is $114,490. However, the range typically falls between $92,263 and $157,866, depending on many factors such as state and education.
5. Communications Officer
Communications officers create communications content on behalf of an organization. They write press releases, develop blog content, and create social media posts. Usually, they get tasked with keeping tabs on campaign analytics and maintaining digital media archives.
What does a communication officer do?
A communication officer’s tasks are:
- Developing, writing, and editing materials such as press releases and social media content
- Promoting communications and marketing materials on social channels
- Tracking analytics
- Creating reports detailing successes and failures of campaigns
- Ensuring that all marketing material aligns with brand standards
Communication officer salary
The average annual salary for communications officers ranges from $79,885 to $110,117, with the average base salary of $93,515.
6. International Development Consultant
International development consultants (or advisers) advise and support international organizations such as government agencies, nonprofits, and private corporations. They work in a diverse sector, providing help to developing countries and communities around the world. They provide clients with the appropriate tool to achieve their goals. The approach used is to find long-term solutions to varying problems.
What does an international development consultant do?
An international development consultant’s job description includes:
- Helping people in need
- Providing technical expertise and support for global organizations
- Reviewing programs and organizational strategies
- Recommending changes in organizations’ best interests
- Creating reports
- Teaming up with other professionals
- Doing administrative duties
International development consultant salary
The annual average salary for an international development consultant is $75,499.
7. Immigration Specialist
Immigration specialists work under a group of lawyers. They study, inspect and review rules, regulative acts, fundamental laws, and documented principle policies of judicial organizations and foundations to estimate the modifications and alterations for numerous legal cases.
What does an immigrant specialist do?
An immigrant specialists’ tasks include:
- Translating judicial policies and its standard principles into simplified forms
- Assessing investigations
- Designing plans and defenses to formulate various ways of presenting legal and judicial proceedings.
- Instructing customers on various laws and policies
- Formulating visa papers
- Upholding their reports and presentations
Immigrant specialist salary
An immigration specialist’s annual average salary is $75,704, but the range typically falls between $64,776 and $89,656.
8. Intelligence Analyst
Intelligence analysts work for government agencies and companies that work with the government to provide information on security threats. This profession involves working in an office environment; however, it often requires on-field exploration to understand situations better and conduct investigations.
What does an intelligence analyst do?
An intelligence analyst’s job includes:
- Identifying threats
- Providing recommendations on fighting crimes
- Utilizing information to develop assessments
- Collaborating with international and national contacts in the intelligence and law enforcement
- Applying knowledge and understanding of the language, culture, and history to fight threats
- Updating data to ensure information is up-to-date
Intelligence analyst salary
The average annual salary for an intelligence analyst is $70,469.
If you’ve asked yourself what can you do with a degree in international and global studies, these were just some of the positions waiting for you. There are many more high paying jobs in addition to these. However, we’ve chosen a few that stand out.
If you found these international studies major jobs exciting and would like to make a career in any of them, check out our Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & International Relations degree.
For any information, don’t hesitate to contact us.