Internships, Jobs & Careers

Internships

Why an internship? 

  • Learn through practical experience
  • Invaluable as a means of professional networking and career advancement
  • Make connections between regular classroom work and possible profession
  • Earn college credit
  • Intern in DC via our affiliation with The Washington Center

For Employers

If you are interested in sponsoring an internship, please email us at [email protected] with the following:

  • Position Description
  • Estimated hours
  • Length of Position
  • How to apply
  • Contact information

Placements

  • national, state, and local executive and legislative offices
  • government agencies
  • political campaigns
  • party and interest group organizations,
  • think tanks
  • judicial agencies
  • law firms
  • international business
  • international non-government organizations (NGOs).

Internship Syllabus

For more information
PLS & IR Internship Syllabus
PLS & IR Internship FAQ 

Experience Matters
See examples of GVSU International Relations internships from each student's perspective at the Experience Matters site.

Contacts

Political Science: Dr. Donald Zinman
Phone: (616) 331-8714; Email: [email protected]

International Relations: Dr. Polly Diven
Phone: (616) 331-3282; Email: [email protected]

Jobs, Careers, Grad School & Law School

Jobs & Careers

The International Relations faculty work closely with Career Services and students on internships and career advising. Students are highly encouraged to pursue an internship. Capstone professors help senior students to prepare for careers and graduate school. For more information, consult our career guide and visit with your faculty advisor. 

  • Foreign Service and other government agencies including
  • International Organization Program Officer
  • Legal profession as Lawyer or Judge
  • Lobbyist or Political Analyst
  • Public Policy Researcher
  • International Sales and Marketing
  • Non-Profit or Public Administrator
  • Journalist
  • International Education Specialist

Graduate & Law School

International relations is a suitable major for many graduate programs:

  • Business
  • Communication
  • Criminal justice
  • Education
  • International affairs
  • International relations
  • Law (Pre-law information)
  • Political science
  • Public administration
  • Public Policy

For more information:
Pre-law 
See the graduate school section of our career guide.

Spotlights

Quinlyn Mork Spotlight

Quinlyn Mork

Grand Rapids Paralegal Volunteers with Iraqi Refugee Community

David Johnson Spotlight

David Johnson

Attorney in Global Sourcing and Technology Transactions

Autumn Modena Spotlight

Autumn Modena

2015 Graduate Founder of RefuTea

Kaylin Klein Spotlight

Kaylin Klein

Kaylin Klein now working for Fidelity Investments

Dorothy Sewe Spotlight

Dorothy Sewe

International Refugee Work in Grand Rapids

View More Spotlights

News

IR Alum to Receive GVSU Distinguished Alumni Award

IR Alum to Receive GVSU Distinguished Alumni Award

Shannon Cohen will be honored on October 27 as part of GVSU's Homecoming.

Oct 25, 2023

Professor Diven Discusses U.S. Foreign Policy & Global Citizenship on Expert Panel

Professor Diven Discusses U.S. Foreign Policy & Global Citizenship on Expert Panel

Professor Diven, the director of GVSU's International Relations program, spoke on a panel hosted by the Hausenstein Center for Presidential Studies. The panel addressed America's role in international relations and discussed current foreign policy issues.

Oct 18, 2023

Fleming Wins Zeeb Study Abroad Scholarship

Fleming Wins Zeeb Study Abroad Scholarship

The 2023 Zeeb International Relations Study Abroad Scholarship winner is sophomore Cloey Fleming.

Apr 26, 2023

Iacovone Wins Outstanding Paper Award

Iacovone Wins Outstanding Paper Award

Ryan Iacovone is the winner of the Outstanding Paper Award for Political Science and International Relations.

Apr 25, 2023

Koczak and Rusch Win Excellence-in-a-Discipline Awards

Koczak and Rusch Win Excellence-in-a-Discipline Awards

Katie Koczak (International Relations) and Aaron Rusch (Political Science) are the 2023 award winners.

Apr 11, 2023

View More News

Events

Van Andel Global Trade Center's The Business Travelers Series: Navigating France

December 13, 2023 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

France holds abundant opportunities for Michigan businesses poised to establish a fresh market presence or eager to broaden their horizons within this beautiful country. Michigan’s top three...

Virtual Info Session: Gilman International Scholarship Program (to help with costs of study abroad) - What is it? How do I write my essays? What's expected?

January 9, 2024 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Join me to learn more about the Gilman International Scholarship that helps to defray the cost of study abroad for Pell recipients! The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International...

Virtual Info Session: Gilman International Scholarship Program (to help with costs of study abroad) - What is it? How do I write my essays? What's expected?

January 10, 2024 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Join me to learn more about the Gilman International Scholarship that helps to defray the cost of study abroad for Pell recipients! The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International...

Virtual Info Session: Fellowships for Teaching English Abroad (JET, EPIK, USTA, Fulbright and more)

January 16, 2024 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Are you interested in teaching English abroad? If so, join us to learn more! The Office of Fellowships is conducting an informational about fellowships that support the experience of teaching abroad:...

Virtual Info Session: Fellowships for Teaching English Abroad (JET, EPIK, USTA, Fulbright and more)

January 17, 2024 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Are you interested in teaching English abroad? If so, join us to learn more! The Office of Fellowships is conducting an informational about fellowships that support the experience of teaching abroad:...

View More Events



Page last modified September 1, 2021