Career Guide

Career Benefits of International Relations Major

 

  • IR students gain critical thinking, analytic, and research skills that can be applied to understanding significant concepts, institutions, actors and debates in international affairs. 
  • IR majors develop their communication skills. The IR curriculum emphasizes writing, and students also develop verbal communication skills through class discussions, simulations, and debates.
  • IR majors have a variety of career paths that they may pursue, and the flexibility to apply their knowledge and skills to a variety of careers in a rapidly changing job market.

Spotlights

Kristen Childs Spotlight

Kristen Childs

2017 Graduate Uses her IR and GIS Skills after Graduation

Matthew Brainovich Spotlight

Matthew Brainovich

Program Analyst, National Preparedness Assessment Division, FEMA

Clair (Radyko) Scheiderer Spotlight

Clair (Radyko) Scheiderer

Attorney for Freedom House Represents Asylum Seekers

Paul Bratt Spotlight

Paul Bratt

2013 Graduate Now Judicial Clerk in U.S. District Court

Lizzie Heyboer Spotlight

Lizzie Heyboer

National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations Fellowship

View More Spotlights

Career Options

With a strong foundation in the liberal arts, International Relations majors are well suited for a variety of careers. Occupational opportunities include government administration, politics and campaigns, public policy, non-profit organizations, international relations, business, law, and journalism. 

  • Foreign Service and other government agencies including
    • Department of Defense
    • Agency for International Development
    • Central Intelligence Agency
    • Department of Commerce
    • Department of Homeland Security 
  • Education as a Teacher or Professor
  • International Organization Program Officer
  • Legal profession as Lawyer or Judge
  • Lobbyist or Political Analyst
  • Public Policy Researcher
  • International Sales and Marketing
  • Social Service Worker
  • Non-Profit or Public Administrator
  • Journalist
  • International Education Specialist

Careers of GVSU IR Graduates

  • U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
  • NATO
  • University International and Study Abroad Offices
  • Congressional Research Service
  • U.S. Naval Intelligence
  • The Carter Center for Human Rights
  • Steelcase Corporation
  • Motorola Corporation
  • USF Holland
  • Landmine Survivors Network
  • World Learning International Training
  • U.S. Customs
  • Catholic Charities
  • Peace Corps
  • Social Security Administration
  • Lutheran World Services
  • United Way
  • Ovation Travel Agency
  • Detroit Free Press

Building Your Career Prospects

  • Get good grades and foster strong relationships with your professors
  • Study abroad and develop language skills
  • Pursue internships
  • Engage in extracurricular groups on campus
  • Network with GVSU alumni and professionals
  • Keep abreast of global news and issues

Career Resources

GVSU Career Services

There are so many career resources available to undergraduates that it can be a bit overwhelming. To get you started, we recommend that you take advantage of GVSU's Career Services office, and read two books. GVSU's Career Services site can be found at https://www.gvsu.edu/careers/

The Career Services office has a very helpful Career Guide available at this site that is mandatory reading for anyone at GVSU contemplating a career. The office offers practice interviews and assistance with building and refining your résumé. They also sponsor periodic career fairs, which are chances to meet directly with potential employers.

 

 

Helpful Career Books

  • Careers in International Affairs. Maria Pinto Carland and Candace Faber. 2008. Georgetown University Press.
  • Working World: Careers in International Education, Exchange, and Development.  2008. Sherry Mueller and Mark Overmann. Georgetown University Press.
  • International Jobs:  Where They Are and How to Get Them.  Nina Segal and Eric Kocher.  2003.  Basic Books.
  • Alternatives to the Peace Corps: A Guide to Global Volunteer Opportunities.  Caitlin Hachmyer.  2008.  Food First Books.
  • Go Global! Launching an International Career Here or Abroad.  Stacie Nevadoski Berdan.  2011.  Amazon Kindle Edition.

 

Websites

 

Graduate School & Law School

Graduate School
These three sites can link you to all the professional master’s degree programs offered in the public administration, international affairs, and public policy fields:

National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)
https://www.naspaa.org/

Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA)
https://www.apsia.org/apsia/index.php

Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM)
https://www.appam.org/

Law School
If you are contemplating law school, check out our helpful pre-law FAQ.

News

Reuben Wins Scholarship to Attend the World Affairs Council National Conference

Reuben Wins Scholarship to Attend the World Affairs Council National Conference

Tristan Reuben wins scholarship to attend the National Conference of the World Affairs Conference in Washington, DC.

Oct 13, 2022

GVSU Students Attend the National Security Seminar in Washington, DC

GVSU Students Attend the National Security Seminar in Washington, DC

11 GVSU students spent one week in Washington studying US national security issues.

Sep 12, 2022

New Faculty Member: Professor Camarillo

New Faculty Member: Professor Camarillo

Professor C. Tyler Godines Camarillo joins the Political Science Department as a new assistant professor this semester. Professor Camarillo attended the University of Texas at San Antonio for his undergraduate degree in Political Science.

Aug 26, 2022

Craig Wins GV in DC Scholarship

Craig Wins GV in DC Scholarship

The Political Science Department is pleased to announce that Samantha Craig is our GV in DC Scholarship winner for 2022.

Jun 21, 2022

Recent Grad Interns with Czech Consulate

Recent Grad Interns with Czech Consulate

Stepan Loffelmann is busy with his summer internship at the Consulate of the Czech Republic in Chicago.

May 24, 2022

View More News

Events

Us-Afghanistan/Taliban Relations And The Human Rights of Afghan Women: Presented By Ahmad Farid Hassanzadah

March 23, 2023 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Farid Hassanzadah has worked extensively with the United Nations, the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) and international non-government organizations to promote human rights...

Pho2Night

March 31, 2023 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

The Vietnamese Cultural Association presents our annual Phß Night! This year our event will be on Friday, March 31st, 2023, from 6PM-10PM at the Fredrick Meijer Honors Colledge in the Neimeyer...

K-Pop Unleashed 2023

April 2, 2023 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

K-Pop Unleashed is K-Pop Group Evolution's annual dance and cultural showcase. This event features performances and discussions from both Grand Valley clubs and other organizations in the Grand...

Virtual Info Session: Graduate Fellowships for Foreign Service: Payne, Rangel, Pickering

April 5, 2023 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

The USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program seeks to attract outstanding individuals who are interested in pursuing careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency...

Native Truths: Re-Centering Who Tells the Story (SSD Keynote Panel) INT 100/201 APPROVED!

April 11, 2023 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

This year, the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship is collaborating with the Field Museum to host a panel of museum staff, scholars, and community members. Moderated by Levi Rickert,...

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Page last modified June 21, 2018