WHAT CAN I DO WITH A DEGREE IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS?

 

INTRODUCTION

This section has been written for undergraduate and postgraduate students of International Relations and related subjects (including International Conflict Analysis and European Governance) at the University of Kent at Canterbury . It attempts to give a brief answer to the question: "What can I do with my degree?".

Although your main interest may be in how to make the best use of your degree subject, there are many issues which are common to all undergraduates and postgraduates planning their careers. Some of these are covered in our “Choosing a Career” pages www.kent.ac.uk/careers/Choosing/ChoosingCareer.htm, which will help you to assess your strengths, weaknesses, interests, abilities and skills in order to relate career options to you.

WHAT SKILLS HAVE I GAINED ON MY COURSE?

The study of International Relations requires the ability to research and analyse information from a variety of sources, possibly in different languages. Through this, International Relations students should develop skills in problem-solving and the ability to weigh arguments and to sift material. Written and verbal skills are necessary to present and discuss your opinions and conclusions in essays and seminars. All of these are qualities which are much valued by employers; in addition, your understanding of complex political and cultural issues, often in changing environments, can also be highly relevant to the world of work.

ORGANISATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

There are few careers where a degree in International Relations is essential, although there are numerous employers of particular interest to IR graduates by virtue of operating in an international field. Some of these have graduate recruitment schemes: others only seek to recruit experienced staff. The ones most frequently mentioned by IR students are the United Nations and European Union. Links to these, and a number of other international organisations can be found at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/workin/internationalorg.htm Other employers are listed below.

Voluntary, charitable and campaigning organisations

This covers a wide range of bodies from Amnesty International to Oxfam to Greenpeace. However, they have in common the fact that there are few paid posts available and these will normally require relevant work experience. While some, at least, of this experience can normally be gained as a volunteer with the organisation the time commitment expected may be substantial - six months, for example, with Amnesty.

Links to these organisations can be found at:

OCCUPATIONS WHERE AN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS DEGREE WOULD BE USEFUL

The following are examples of careers where International Relations graduates might also find scope for using their skills or interests; for more detailed information, see www.prospects.ac.uk/links/Occupations

CAREERS OPEN TO ALL GRADUATES

About 40% of all vacancies advertised for graduates do not ask for a specific degree subject. However, you may sometimes need postgraduate training or work experience. Major areas of graduate recruitment include Business and Finance, Computing and IT, Education, Marketing, Public Sector Management but there are many more opportunities. See our web page which lists Jobs Open to Graduates of any Subject. For more information on career choice and graduate opportunities generally, see www.prospects.ac.uk

WHO EMPLOYS INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS GRADUATES?

A wide range of employers, including the Civil Service, local authorities and other public sector organisations, both national and international, universities and colleges, manufacturing and commercial companies, financial institutions (especially in risk assessment and management), solicitors' firms, publishing companies and media employers.

The organisations listed below may offer career opportunities or internships (marked with an asterisk*) relevant to International Relations students and graduates. The list includes NGOs, think-tanks, consultancies and voluntary/campaigning organisations. Internships are likely to be unpaid and long-term or permanent opportunities will not usually occur on a regular basis, so check the websites regularly.