International Relations
As the world becomes ever smaller and ever more interconnected, the work of
international relations specialists grows in importance. Indeed, the old idea of the butterfly flapping its wings in Sydney causing a
tornado in Oklahoma City has never been more applicable than it is today in regards to international relations: We are all connected, now
more than ever, and those who understand the ways in which people and countries all over the world interact and affect one another are some
of the most in-demand and important professionals on the marketplace today.
Niche Areas
As has been mentioned, there are many specific areas in the field of international relations in which students may choose to specialize.
They include, but are not limited, to the following:
- Diplomacy
- Power politics
- International law
- Ethics
- Transnational forces
- Military Strategy
- Behavioralism
- Economic development strategy
- Conflict resolution
- Human rights
Types Of Associate, Undergraduate & Graduate Programs Available
International relations can be a rather complicated field, demanding of its practitioners an understanding of innumerable aspects of the
world and the ways in which it works. Therefore, if you have little background in the field, an Associate's degree is likely a good place to
start, for it will not only provide you with the basic information you need to pursue the field farther, but it will also let you know what
aspects of it are most intriguing to you. A Bachelor's degree in international relations is the next logical step, though many people do not
make it their last one. Master's and Doctoral degrees in international relations not only allow you to pursue specific areas of the field in
much greater detail, but they also open up doors to some of the most fascinating jobs in the marketplace today.
Typical Admissions Requirements
An Associate's degree is an excellent way to begin the process of working towards an eventual career in the field of international relations
. And though it is often a stepping stone, it has a great many merits in its own right. A Bachelor's degree candidate should have a solid
academic record as well as a good understanding of the world. Graduate degree applicants often pursue programs in specific areas in which
they have already some level of expertise, though the graduate degree program itself helps to hone that much more sharply. But more than
anything those hoping to pursue a degree in international relations should be engaged in the world, active followers of the news, and
enthusiastic about the possibilities of working in the field.
Careers In This Field
There is literally a whole world of possible careers out there for graduates of international relations programs. They run the gamut from
the mundane to the (literally) earth-shaking, and include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Archivist
- Demographer
- Diplomat
- Foreign Affairs Analyst
- Foreign Affairs Specialist
- Foreign Service Officer
- Immigration Specialist
- Intelligence Specialist
- Journalist
- Language Specialist
Salary Ranges In This Field
Because of the wide variety of careers in the field of international relations, it is difficult to quantify the earning potential across the
board. After all, as the previous section makes clear, there are many different aspects of the field to go into, and the amount of money
earned by professionals in each of them varies greatly. Therefore, for the most accurate accounting of what you stand to earn, research each
of them individually (
www.bls.gov
is a good place to start).
Future Outlook
There are precious few statistics that deal with the career outlook for the field of international relations in general. This is likely
because there are simply too many various and sundry fields to allow for an accurate accounting in general terms. However, it stands to
reason that, as the world becomes ever more intertwined, those with specialized knowledge in international relations will be of ever
increasing use. After all, the history of the world is one of conflict and resolution, and as we see more of both of them, international
relations experts will be the ones increasingly stepping into the breach and working to resolve the differences that arise.
- www.cfr.org (The Council on Foreign Relations)
- www.un.org (The United Nations)
- www.iwa.org (The Institute of World Affairs)
