Academic Resources

Explore International Relations academic resources, designed to support your academic aspirations.

Curriculum Guide

International Relations Department

CLAS Advising Center

What Can I Do With This Major?

Career Resources

Unlock career potential in Political Science! Discover resources to maximize your professional trajectory.

Career Assessment - PathwayU

Jobs via Handshake

International Relations Career and Internship Site

Career Communities

Sample International Relations Internship Sites

Internships provide a way for you to get hands-on, supervised experience in the world of work. You are able to apply the concepts you are learning in the classroom to a work environment.

• Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County
• United States House of Representatives
• U.S. Department of Commerce
• Michigan State Senate
• Center for Disease Control
• National Council on U.S. - Arab Relations
• Hispanic Center of Western Michigan
• Bethany Christian Services

International Relations Internships

General Information on Internships

Join A Student Organization

Get involved with a student organization related to your major. Student orgs are a great way to get connected and explore career options!

• International Club
• Japanese Culture Association
• Latino Student Union (LSU)
• Muslim Student Association
• Native American Student Association (NASA)
• African Student Council
• Arab Culture Club
• Asian Student Union
• Black Student Union (BSU)
• Francophiles (French Club)
   

Student Organizations

Relevant Courses and Certificates for Building Skills

Developing the relevant skills that employers seek is an essential component of a student's education. GVSU students should consider strategic elective courses and certificates to pair with their major in order to gain additional skills.

Intercultural Communications Undergraduate Certificate
Grant Writing
Research
Public speaking

Electives to Consider

Community Service Opportunities

Seek volunteer opportunities related to the field you're exploring as a way of testing out future careers.

The Civic Engagement Center keeps a list of current volunteer opportunities updated on their website. There are ongoing opportunities on a continuous basis, as well as on-campus and off-campus opportunities posted as they become available.

Civic Engagement Center

International Relations Study Abroad Options

Through study abroad you’ll also set yourself apart from other job-seekers and graduate-school applicants in an increasingly competitive market.

Learn about the field of International Relations abroad. Studying abroad provides you with unique opportunities to build intercultural communication and problem-solving skills essential to success in this field.  

International Relations Study Abroad
Explore Internships Abroad

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Pursuing academic, creative, and research experiences and projects outside the classroom is an excellent way to learn new skills and build a body of work in your field.

Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship

Getting Started

Fellowship Opportunities

Fellowships are high-impact, potentially life-changing opportunities for students and alumni, opening doors to careers in public service, advanced academic study, foreign service, international teaching, and other career and service pathways into meaningful and fulfilling lives.

Frederik Meijer Office of Fellowships

Finding a Fellowship

Students with a International Relations degree may continue on to a graduate program.  Here are some examples of programs students have pursued:

• Master of Arts (MA) in Political Science or International Relations
• Master of Public Policy
• Law School
• Master of Public Administration