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 2021 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 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 |
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 |