Kristen Childs
2017 Graduate Uses her IR and GIS Skills after Graduation
Why an internship?
If you are interested in sponsoring an internship, please email us at [email protected] with the following:
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.
Political Science: Dr. Laura Schneider
Phone: (616) 331-8988; Email: [email protected]
International Relations: Dr. Heather Tafel
Phone: (616) 331-8511; Email: tafelh@gvsu.edu
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.
International relations is a suitable major for many graduate programs:
For more information:
Pre-law
See the graduate school section of our career guide.
2017 Graduate Uses her IR and GIS Skills after Graduation
2015 Graduate Founder of RefuTea
GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Alumni of the Year
Associate Director for both the Global Trade Alert and Digital Policy Alert in Switzerland.
LMI Project Manager for Consumers Energy.
Olivia Robach (PLS and IR double major) earned a scholarship to join student scholars from around the US to attend the annual conference of the World Affairs Council in Washington, DC in November 2025.
Dec 3, 2025
IR alum Kyla Ozinga is starting law school at Case Western
Sep 16, 2025
PLS, IR and Human Rights alum Taylor Bessinger is attending the University of Illinois College of Law
Sep 12, 2025
Professor Polly Diven received the 2025 Hillman-Orr Award from the World Affairs Council of West Michigan.
Jun 23, 2025
March 19, 2026 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Running Start, the non-profit organization that runs the Elect Her program, brings campaign training and real-world experiences from currently-elected officials to college campuses across the U.S....
March 25, 2026 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Are you looking for a dynamic minor that will complement your major, help you obtain communication and analytical skills, and make you more marketable to employers? Then come to our pizza night hosted...
March 30, 2026 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Join us for a broad, quick survey of various “strongmen” that came to power more-or-less democratically throughout the past century, then subverted democracy and became autocrats. There...
April 3, 2026 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Drop-in Days of Service are on-campus opportunities for students to "drop in" and complete service projects for service hours. Click here for additional information
April 3, 2026 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Join or Die is a documentary based on the research of political scientist Robert Putnam, exploring the critical role community participation plays in strengthening democracy and improving collective...