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 2023 Career Outcomes for International Affairs*

** Includes Self-Employed


Campus Resources


Additional UGA Career Center Recommendations

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.


Additional Career Research Resources

  • O*NET Online – The O*NET database includes information on skills, abilities, knowledge, work activities, and interests associated with over 900 occupations.  
  • My Next Move – An interactive tool for students and job seekers to learn more about their career options.  
  • Occupational Outlook Handbook – The OOH is a career resource offering information on the hundreds of occupations that provide most of jobs in the United States.  
  • Vault – Vault.com provides in-depth intelligence on what it’s really like to work in an industry, company, or profession – and how to position yourself to land that job.  
  • Candid Career – This resource provides you with access to thousands of informational video interviews with real professionals through an easy-to-use website.  
  • UGA Mentor Program – Connect with a mentor (alumni, faculty, staff) to research and explore industries and careers. Research industries and careers by connecting with a mentor for a quick chat or formal 16-week mentorship through the UGA Mentor Program.  
  • Interstride - Interstride is an interactive tool for both international and domestic students to enhance their international experience and employment potential. The platform consists of job-listings, hiring trends, employer information, self-assessments, and up-to-date immigration guidance. 
  • Glassdoor - Glassdoor is a free jobs and career community that offers an inside look at jobs and companies through "employee generated content" – anonymous salaries, company reviews, interview questions, and more – all posted by employees and job seekers.  
  • Steppingblocks - Research your future career with real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with career and education searches designed to find your best path based on millions of others. It’s data-powered career exploration for doers like you.


Employment Websites

General  

  • Handshake (scroll down to the bottom of the page; login with your UGA MyID and password)  
  • LinkedIn (this popular networking site also has a job board!) 
  • Idealist (non-profit jobs) 
  • USAJobs (federal jobs) 


Professional Associations/Resources


Employers/Position Title Reported by Class of 2023 International Affairs majors

The information below represents employers and position titles from the Class of 2023 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)
Accountable.US Fellow
Arizona Secretary of State Passport Specialist
Athens-Clarke County Unified Government Grant Specialist
Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Communications Public Relations Assistant Manager
Atlanta Police Foundation Criminal Intelligence Analyst and Communications Intern
BBDO Atlanta Account Coordinator
Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center Executive Assistant
Best Buy Samsung Home Theater Expert
Bethany Christian Services Case Support Specialist
Boston Consulting Group Associate
Capital One Associate Product Manager
CBS Broadcast Associate
Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellow
Cherokee Office of Economic Development Communications and Marketing Specialist
Chick-fil-A Propel Leadership Program Manager
Children's Defense Fund Organizing Associate
Crosscut Emerging Journalist Fellow
DC Office, Representative Mike Collins Intern
DeKalb County Government Administrative Specialist
Deloitte Business Analyst
Department of Defense Analyst
Department of Defense Program Officer
Double the Donation Client Success Specialist
ECC Teaching Staff
English Language Institute Teacher
ePlus inc. Junior Account Executive
ESS Substitute Teacher
Executive Office for Immigration Review Legal Assistant
Fiserv Technology Analyst
Food Research & Action Center Research Intern
Fralick Bozeman Legislative Assistant
Fulbright Foundation for Scholarly Exchange English Teaching Assistant
Fulbright Foundation for Scholarly Exchange English Teaching Assistant
Gannett Contributing Writer
Georgia Association of Realtors Local Advocacy Manager
Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel Event Coordinator
Gwinnett County School District Life Science Teacher
Halle Foundation Program Officer
Hawkins Parnell & Young, LLP Legal Clerk
HOA Brands Information Technology Intern
Independent Community Bankers Association ThinkTECH Accelerator Program Coordinator
Insight Global Technical Recruiter
Insight Global Government Contract Specialist
J.P. Morgan Business Relationship Manager Trainee
Keybridge Research Assistant
Kuck Baxter LLC Client Relations Associate
Lavender Pest Control Office Administrator & Social Media Manager
Library of Congress Economic Research Analyst
MarkeTeam Account Coordinator
Mass General Brigham Russian Digital Access Coordinator
Mathews & Maxwell, Inc. Legislative Aide
Molten and Harden Project Manager
Morris Manning and Martin Executive Assistant
National Academies of Science Engineering and Medicine Program Assistant
NBC News Desk Assistant
NBCUniversal Saturday Night Live Desk Page
Partnership Against Domestic Violence Community Outreach Advocate
Princeton in Africa Tech Care for All Fellowship
Progressive Turnout Project Federal Campaign Fellow
Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners PLLC Legal Assistant
Salesforce QA Solutions Consultant
SECURUS Strategic Trade Solutions, LLC Analyst
TDI Analyst
UnidosUS Content Specialist
United States Department of Justice Paralegal Specialist
United States House of Representatives Legislative Correspondent
United States House of Representatives Staff Assistant
United States Senate Special Assistant
United States Senate Staff Assistant, Office of U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock
United States Senate Legislative Intern for the Office of U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock
University of Georgia Office of Research Administrative Associate
US Army Position Not Specified
Vinson & Elkins Intern
Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control Research Assistant
Worldwide Express Account Executive
* denotes no responses received.

*Source: Areas above marked with an Asterisk (*) have been created utilizing data taken from the UGA Career Outcomes Survey. The "Employers Hiring...," "Job Titles of...," "Career Outcomes for...," and "Graduate/Professional Schools and Programs..." information listed above represent UGA Class of 2023 Graduates. The lists are not exhaustive and therefore do not represent all potential career options. Click here for more detailed Career Outcomes information regarding this major.

Graduate/Professional Schools attended by Class of 2023 International Affairs majors

The information below represents graduate/professional schools and programs reported through the Class of 2023 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)
Aerie Backcountry Medicine Wilderness EMT, Certificate
American College of the Mediterranean Unspecified Master's Program, MA
American University Terrorism and Homeland Security Policy, MS
American University Unspecified Master's Program, MS
Arizona State University Unspecified Master's Program, MS
Clayton State University Archival Studies, MA
Dublin City University Refugee Integration, MS
Emory University Divinity, Master's
Emory University Law, JD
Emory University Law, JD
Georgetown University Security Studies, Master’s
Georgetown University Security Studies, Master’s
Georgia Institute of Technology Sustainable Energy and Environmental Management, MS
Georgia State University Law, JD
Georgia State University Law, JD
Harvard University Computational Science, MS
Indiana University Bloomington Law, JD
Leiden University International Affairs and Political Science, MS
Liberty University School Counseling, Master's
Mercer University Law, JD
Mercer University Law, JD
North Carolina Central University Law, JD
North Greenville University Leadership, Master's
Pennsylvania State University Additional Undergraduate Coursework
Reichman University Government Diplomacy and Conflict Studies, MA
Texas A&M University Political Science, PhD
Texas Tech University Law, JD
The Johns Hopkins University International Relations, MA
The Ohio State University Law, JD
Tulane University Law, JD
University of Edinburgh International and European Politics, MS
University of Georgia Law, JD
University of Georgia Law, JD
University of Georgia Psychology, Master’s
University of Georgia Public Administration, MPA
University of Georgia Public Administration, MPA
University of Georgia Public Administration, MPA
University of Georgia International Affairs and Political Science, Degree Not Specified
University of Georgia International Affairs and Political Science, MS
University of Georgia International Policy, Degree Not Specified
University of Georgia International Policy, Degree Not Specified
University of Georgia International Policy, Degree Not Specified
University of Georgia International Policy, MA
University of Georgia International Policy, Master's
University of Georgia International Policy, Master's
University of Georgia International Policy, MIP
University of Georgia International Policy, MIP
University of Georgia International Policy, MS
University of Georgia International Policy, MS
University of Georgia Journalism, MA
University of Georgia Law, Degree Not Specified
University of Georgia Law, Degree Not Specified
University of Georgia Law, Degree Not Specified
University of Georgia Social Studies Education, MAT
University of Georgia Social Work, MSW
University of North Georgia International Affairs and Political Science, Degree Not Specified
University of Tennessee Unspecified Professional Program
University of Virginia Law, JD
Yale University Public Health, Master's
* denotes no responses received.