What Can I Do With a Major In International Affairs?
UGA Specific Information for International Affairs
International Affairs is the comprehensive study of global issues of importance in the contemporary world. The focus in this field is on topics such as war and peace, globalization and economic development, as well as domestic and international politics and economics. The major is divided into two subfields: comparative politics and international relations. Comparative politics is the study of domestic politics in developed and developing countries and the different ways that countries deal with global issues. International relations studies how countries relate and interact with one another, as well as with multinational entities, as they deal with global issues.
Class of 2022 Career Outcomes for International Affairs*
** Includes Self-Employed
Campus Resources
- Model United Nations
- SPIA Student Organizations
- SPIA Study Abroad opportunities
- Center for the Study of Global Issues (GLOBIS)
- Center for International Trade and Security (CITS)
- SPIA Ambassadors Program
To find additonal clubs and organizations, visit the Center for Student Organizations.
And connect with your Career Consultant!
Additional UGA Career Center Recommendations/Considerations
SKILLS acquired with your degree
Critical Thinking
- Understanding complex factors within problems
- Perceiving patterns/structures
- Comparing/contrasting interpretations
- Assessing cultural differences
- Assessing conflicting viewpoints
Communication
- Analytical writing
- Editing
- Drafting documents
- Summarizing and presenting information
- Public speaking
- Language proficiency
- Strong writing skills
Research
- Defining problems
- Formulating and assessing hypotheses
- Gathering and analyzing information
- Using original sources
- Understanding cultural contexts
- Interpreting data
- Evaluating evidence and results
- Reading critically
SAMPLE INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
- White House Fellows
- U.S. State Department
- International labor organizations (e.g. AFL-CIO)
- U.S. or State Congress
- Research Institutes/Think Tanks (e.g. Brookings Institute, Urban Institute)
- International development and relief (e.g. Freedom House, AED, USAID)
- Environmental organization (e.g. EPA, PIRC, Green Peace)
- Educational programs (e.g. Summerbridge)
- Financial services (e.g. The Emerging Markets Private Equity Association)
- Consulting firms (e.g. Drum Cussac Inc.)
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Intelligence and National Security (e.g. Intellibridge.com, CIA)
- Political Action Committees (PACs) (e.g. American Israeli PAC)
- Government consulting (e.g. DFI, SAIC)
- Non-Governmental Organizations (e.g. Search for Common Ground)
TIPS
- Develop linguistic skills. Become fluent in a second and third language.
- Demonstrate intercultural competency, sensitivity, and tolerance.
- Gain experience communicating with people from other cultures. Seek opportunities to interact with international students on campus or in your community.
- Study abroad, work abroad, or travel to a foreign country while in school to develop language skills and international competency.
- Commit to a continuous study of host country’s language.
- Develop a good understanding of etiquette and business practices in country of target.
- Look for temporary or volunteer positions abroad.
- Obtain daily papers in target city to determine international and national news, business features, real estate markets, and community calendars.
- Get your foot in the door through domestic positions because many international employers promote current employees to international positions.
- Develop traits such as creativity, initiative, tenacity, a willingness to take risks, an adventurous spirit, and a sense of humor.
- In general, international positions are competitive and difficult to obtain. Be proactive in developing the skills and experiences that will prepare you for an overseas job.
- Be very planful about building an international career. It takes time to develop a set of skills and experiences that will prepare you for an overseas job.
- Learn about international travel regulations including the specific visa requirements for the country you’re traveling to and the jobs you’ll be working in.
- Join LinkedIn groups that are related to your career interest. To search, select “groups” under the “interests” tab. Also, review the groups that professionals in your field of interest have joined and consider joining them as well.
Interested in graduate school? Find current information on getting into graduate school at UGA’s Career Center webpage.
Supplemental Career Research Dashboard
Additional Career Research Resources
- My Next Move
- Occupational Outlook Handbook (type in general term for career of interest)
- Idealist Careers - Helping You Find a Nonprofit Career
- Data Analytics for Public Policy - Guide to public policy analytics degrees, the intersection of data science and policy, tips on industry applications, jobs, conferences, internships, and more
- Traverse Jobs- See thousands of advocacy jobs in politics, policy, and PR.
Employment Websites
Federal
- USAJOBS
- Go Government - Select "Find Your Fit" and then "Browse information by Agency"
- US Department of State
- US Agency for International Development (USAID)
- US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
- Central Intelligence Agency
- Defense Intelligence Agency
- National Security Agency
- Peace Corps
- United Nations
- Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
- U.S. International Trade Commission
Nonprofit/NGO
- USAID 2015 VOLAG Report - List of voluntary relief agencies engaged in overseas relief and development
- Idealist
- The Washington Center
- OXFAM International
- Amnesty International
- Transparency International
- Habitat for Humanity
- AmeriCorps
- American Red Cross
- Catholic Relief Services
Think Tanks/Institutes
- List of think tanks in the U.S. (Wikipedia)
- Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- Institute for Policy Studies
- Center for Strategic and International Studies
International
- GoinGlobal
- AIESEC
- Escape Artist
- Resources for Working Overseas - from the U.S. Department of State
- Transitions Abroad
- Overseas Jobs
- Global Jobs
- Global Development Jobs
- Riley Guide - International Resources
- Go Abroad
- Language Corps - Teach English Abroad
General
- Athens-Clarke County Employment Guide
- Team Georgia - Careers with the State of Georgia
- The Carter Center
- International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
- Policy Jobs
- Disaster Relief Agencies
- Humanitarian Relief Organizations
- World Trade Organization
- International Relations EDU
- USA.gov - Public Service and Volunteer Opportunities
Professional Associations/Resources
- Foreign Policy Association
- Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs
- International Strategic Studies Association
- Center for International Policy
- Council on Foreign Relations
- American Foreign Policy Council
- Center for Strategic and International Studies
- American Foreign Service Association
- Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
Employers/Position Title Reported by Class of 2022 International Affairs majors
The information below represents employers and position titles from the Class of 2022 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.
Employer | Position Title(s) |
---|---|
Acquia | Global Development Representative | AIESEC United States | Head of Volunteers | American Foreign Policy Council | Research Fellow and Program Officer | AmeriCorps | Fellow | Apollo Technical | Account Manager/Recruiter | ATL Colorectal Surgery P.C. | Medical Assistant | Bain & Company | Associate Consultant | Ballast Research | Associate - Communications Advisory | Beech Haven Church | Office Administrator | Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley, P.C. | Real Estate Legal Assistant | Brunet-García Advertising | Public Health Communications Intern | Burr and Forman Law Firm | Case Support Specialist | CMSPI | Payments Analyst | Cobbler Union | Sales Associate | Community of Madrid | Auxiliary | Cornerstone Government Affairs | Policy Intern | Cowsert Heath | Legal Intern | Crossroads Campaign Solutions | Associate | DC Office of the Attorney General | Legal & Victim Witness Services Internship | Dear Asian Youth | Social Media Director | Deloitte | Business Analyst | Deloitte | Government and Public Service Analyst | Deloitte | Analyst | Deloitte | Government and Public Service Analyst - Enabling Areas Rotational Program | Deloitte | GPS Analyst | Deloitte | Analyst I | Egon Zehnder | Business Analyst | Empower College and Career Center | High School Social Studies Teacher | English for Everybody | English Teacher | EY | Account Executive | EY | English Teacher | Fragomen | Business Immigration Analyst | Fragomen | Business Immigration Analyst | Fulbright | English Teaching Assistant | Fulbright Spain | English Teaching Assistant | G Squared Funding, LLC | Client Relations Manager | Georgia Chamber of Commerce | Government Affairs Intern | Georgia Department of Revenue | Revenue Agent | Georgia Public Defender Council | Youth Defense Initiative Project Assistant | GlobalMed Logistix | Logistics Specialist | Governor's Office of Planning and Budget | Fiscal Policy Analyst | Heart of Oregon Corps | Corps Member | High Museum of Art | Assistant to Chief Curator and Director of Collections and Exhibitions | HSA Associates | Research Assistant | International Republican Institute | External Affairs Program Associate | International Rescue Committee | Immigration Legal Assistant | Itineris | Functional Analyst | James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies | Undergraduate Research Fellow | John Hancock | Internal Sales Consultant | KPMG | Tax Associate | KPMG | Associate | KPMG | Associate | KPMG | Trade and Customs Intern | Kresky Law | Project Assistant | McKinsey & Company | Business Analyst | Mercado Global | Development Associate | MovementForward, Inc. | Partnership and Outreach Organizer | Muslim Public Affairs Council’s Congressional Leadership Development Program | Fellow | National 4-H Council | Well-Being and Equity Consultant | Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) | Program Analyst | Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough | Corporate Analyst | Noah Kallard LLC | Legal Assistant | Not Specified | Not Specified | Not Specified | Not Specified | Nuci's Space | Public Relations Communications Manager | Office of Governor Brian P. Kemp | Public Policy Intern | Oracle | Business Development Consultant | Oracle | Business Development Representative | Premiere Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta | Medical Assistant | ProCare Therapy | Account Executive | Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm P.C. | Legal Assistant | Robert F Kennedy Human Rights | Human Rights Education Intern | Sair Sight | Organizer | Sherry Campbell | Legal Assistant | Signal Mountain Lodge | Host | Southern States Architectural Sales | Manufacturers Product Specialist | Speed Seta Martin Attorneys At Law | Clerk | SPK Consulting, LLC | President | State of Georgia Office of the Attorney General | Paralegal | The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights | Senior Assistant | The Manely Firm | Junior Paralegal | Troutman Pepper Strategies | Public Affairs and Legislative Session Intern | Turning Point USA | Leadership Program Administrator | U.S. House of Representatives | Congressional Intern | United States Senate Office of Raphael Warnock | Northeast Georgia Outreach Representative | US Air Force | Security Specialist | US Army | Second Lieutenant | US Department of Treasury | Economic Analyst | US House of Representatives | Staff Assistant | Venn Strategies | Client Services Associate | Vinson & Elkinn | Student Intern | Warnock for U.S. Senate | Communications Intern |
Graduate/Professional Schools attended by Class of 2022 International Affairs majors
The information below represents graduate/professional schools and programs reported through the Class of 2022 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.
Graduate School | Program(s) |
---|---|
American University | Data Science, MS | ATP Flight School | Commercial Airplane Rating, Not Specified | Augusta University | Medicine/Pubic Health, MD/MPH | Charleston School of Law | Law, JD | Charleston School of Law | Law, JD | City University of New York | Law, JD | Georgetown University | Security Studies, MA | Georgia Institute of Technology | Cybersecurity, MS | Georgia Institute of Technology | Sustainable Energy and Environmental Management, MS | Georgia Southern University | Higher Education Administration, Not Specified | Georgia State University | Business and Health Management, Master's | Georgia State University | Public Administration, Not Specified | Gonzaga University | Law, JD | Johns Hopkins University | Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS | King'S College | Emerging Economies and International Development, MS | London School of Economics and Political Science | Development Management, MS | London School of Economics and Political Science | European and International Public Policy, MSc | Mercer University | Law, JD | Mercer University | Law, JD | Mercer University | Law, JD | New York University | International Relations, MA | Oklahoma City University | Law, JD | Sciences Po | Human Rights and Humanitarian Action, BS/MS | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville | Law, JD | University of Denver | Global Environmental Sustainability, MA | University of Florida | Law, JD | University of Georgia | Health Administration, Master's | University of Georgia | Political Sci and Int Affairs, Master's | University of Georgia | International Policy, Master's | University of Georgia | International Policy, Master's | University of Georgia | International Policy, Master's | University of Georgia | International Policy, Master's | University of Georgia | Public Administration, Master's | University of Georgia | Public Administration, Not Specified | University of Georgia | Public Administration, Not Specified | University of Georgia | Public Administration, Not Specified | University of Georgia | Public Administration, Not Specified | University of Georgia | Public Administration and Policy, MPA | University of Georgia | Public Administration and Policy, MPA | University of Georgia | Public Administration and Policy, MPA | University of Georgia | Public Administration and Policy, MPA | University of Georgia | Public Health, Not Specified | University of Georgia | Law, JD | University of Georgia | Law, JD | University of Georgia | Law, JD | University of Georgia | Law, JD | University of Georgia | Law, JD | University of Georgia | Law, JD | University of Georgia | Law, JD | University of Georgia | Law, JD | University of Georgia | Law, JD | University of Kansas | Law, JD | University of Texas - Dallas | Not Specified | University of Virginia | Law, JD | University of West Georgia | Public Administration, MPA | Vanderbilt University | Law, JD | Vanderbilt University | Law, JD | William and Mary | Law, JD |