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.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW EMPLOYERS/POSITION TITLES and GRADUATE SCHOOLS/PROGRAMS REPORTED FOR THIS MAJOR

Class of 2021 Career Outcomes for International Affairs*

** Includes Self-Employed

Campus Resources

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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.

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Additional Career Research Resources

Employment Websites

Federal

Nonprofit/NGO

Think Tanks/Institutes

International

General

Professional Associations/Resources

Employers/Position Title Reported by Class of 2021 International Affairs majors

The information below represents employers and position titles from the Class of 2021 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)
Accenture Client Management Financial Analyst
Aerotek Recruiter
Ally Field Auditor
American Enterprise Institute Development Intern
AmeriCorps VISTA Service Member
AMI Logistics Manager
Apple Inc. AppleCare Advisor
Arabella Advisors Program Assistant
Arden's Garden Manager
Baillie and Hershman P.C. Legal Assistant
Baker Donelson Paralegal
BSI Research Associate
Carolyn For Congress Call Time Manager
Catalyst Software Sales Development Representative
Cayote Logistics Account Manager
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Program Coordinator
Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria Research Intern
Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, U.S.A. Staff Member
Chick-fil-A Executive Director
City of Johns Creek Assistant to the City Manager
Congressman David Scott Constituent Services & Community Outreach Representative
Deloitte Strategy Analyst
Democratic Party of Georgia Deputy Finance Director
Department of Justice Federal Employee
Edelman Assistant Account Executive
Environmental Resources Management Sustainability Strategy & Disclosure Consultant
Environmental Resources Management Sustainability Strategy & Disclosure Consultant
FedEx Sort Manager
FedEx Sort Manager
FedEx Sort Manager
FedEx Sort Manager
FedEx Sort Manager
Fidelity Investments Customer Relationship Advocate
Forge Group LLC Analyst
Fulbright Austria US Teaching Assistant
Georgia College Advising Corps College Advisor
Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts Management Analyst
Georgia General Assembly Legislative Assistant
Glass, Lewis & Co. Executive Compensation Research Associate
Global Nomads Group Content Creation Lab Team Leader
GovDirections, LLC Intern
GQ Fashions Manager
Groth, Makrenko, Kasier and Eidex Legal Administrative Assistant
Guidehouse Investigative Analyst
Gwinnett County Administrative Assistant
Hallway Plumbing LLC Quality and Control and Safety Agent
Jordan Air Inc. Inside Sales Associate
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Analyst
KPMG Recruiting Coordinator
KPMG Recruiting Coordinator
Lincoln Financial Group Disability Claims Adjuster
LumberJaxe Business Development Manager
Mark Spain Real Estate Marketing Assistant
Marker 7 Coastal Grill Server
Novatech, Inc. Data Analyst
Office of Governor Brian P. Kemp Special Assistant to the Governor
Publicis Sapient Product Manager
PYA Consulting Intern
Quintus Corporation Leasing Consultant
Raytheon Technologies Software Engineer
Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners LLC Paralegal
Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners LLC Paralegal
Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners LLC Paralegal
Roth Law Firm, LLC Intake Coordinator
Sandler Search Operations & Administrative Coordinator
Schneider Hammers LLC Litigation Legal Assistant
Schramm, Williams & Associates, Inc. Research Associate
State Charter Schools Commission Program Coordinator
Strategic Systems Corporation Sales Representative
Synergetics Associate Healthcare Operations Consultant
Teach For America Teacher- 6th ELA
Tom James Company Professional Clothier
Transperfect Translations Account Manager
Trustpilot ADR
Tufts University Enrollment Advisor
United States Department of Homeland Security Analyst
United States Department of Homeland Security Analyst
United States Department of Homeland Security Analyst
United States Department of Homeland Security Analyst
United States Government Accountability Office Policy and Programs Analyst
University of Georgia GCAC College Adviser
University of Georgia Phone/Zoom Interviewer Research
University of Georgia First Year Intern
UPS Foundation Fellow
US Air Force Airborne Linguist
USCA Management Analyst GS7
West Stride Sales Associate
Woodruff Property Management Company Assistant Property Manager
* 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 2021 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 2021 International Affairs majors

The information below represents graduate/professional schools and programs reported through the Class of 2020 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 International Affairs: United States Foreign Policy and National Security, MA
Athens Technical College Not Specified
Columbia University Climate & Society, MA
Columbia University Public Health, MPH
Concordia University Political Science, MA
George Mason University International Security, MA
George Mason University Education, MEd
Georgetown University Security Studies, MA
Georgetown University Security Studies, MA
Georgetown University Law, JD
Georgia Institute of Technology City and Regional Planning; Public Policy, Master's
Georgia Institute of Technology Public Policy, MPP
Georgia Institute of Technology International Affairs, MS
Georgia State University Law, JD
Georgia State University School Counseling, MEd
Johns Hopkins University International Relations, MA
London School of Economics and Political Science Gender, Peace, and Security, MSc
Middlebury Institute of International Studies Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies, MA
New York University Law, JD
Penn State University Law, JD
Stanford University International Policy, MA
Tulane University Law, JD
University of Cambridge Political and Economic Sociology, MPhil
University of Delaware Art History, MA
University of Georgia College Student Affairs Administration, M.Ed
University of Georgia Public Administration, MPA
University of Georgia Public Administration, MPA
University of Georgia Landscape Architecture, MLA
University of Georgia Law, JD
University of Georgia Public Health, Graduate Certificate
University of Georgia International Policy, MIP
University of Georgia Law, JD
University of Georgia International Policy, MIP
University of Georgia MIP, EdD
University of Georgia International Policy, MIP
University of Georgia Law, JD
University of Georgia Public Administration, MPA
University of Georgia Arts and Teaching and Social Studies, Master's
University of Georgia Journalism, MA
University of Georgia Law, JD
University of Georgia Public Administration and Policy, MPA
University of Georgia Law, JD
University of Georgia Law, JD
University of Georgia Public Administration, MPA
University of Georgia Social Work, MSW
University of Georgia Emerging Media, MA
University of Georgia Public Administration, MPA
University of Georgia Law, JD
University of Georgia Law, JD
University of Georgia International Policy, MIP
University of Illinois Law, JD
University of North Carolina Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, MA
University of North Dakota Non-Degree
University of North Georgia Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Studies, AS
University of South Carolina Law, JD
University of Virginia Law, JD
Vanderbilt University Law, JD
* denotes no responses received.

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