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 2023 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
- Explore additional UGA clubs and organizations on the UGA Involvement Network
- Connect with Your Career Consultant
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
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 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 |
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 |