International Studies is a field that is becoming more relevant as the world grows in the network of globalized interconnectedness. This is generally through market and business, migration, social media, mutual concerns about global environmental issues and most importantly growing global economic scenario. International Studies also known as International Relations which is a sub-branch of Political Science gained prominence after 1970’s when study of relationship between nation-states became significant with an analysis to find the causes and effects of state conflicts. The scholars of International Relations primarily focus on questions concerning international security, terrorism, trade, wars, human rights, peace-building and peace-making. Through the prism of International Studies, all these areas are covered theoretically and academically.
Studying International Relations further benefits scholars with:
- Adaptability
Studying international relations is exploring a variety of factors that comprise the field. During this course, as a scholar one comes across the idea and fundamental of global-economics, history, international organizations, human rights, cybersecurity, and migration phenomena. Understanding all of these helps scholar understand the relationships between countries and their institutions. - Ability to apply lessons into real life
The coursework in international relations provides a solid foundation for understanding the relationships between individuals and organizations. Students of international relations can use their education for negotiations, to find solutions to a conflict or other real-life dilemmas. In addition to gaining specialized knowledge about intercultural approaches, students graduating from an international relations will typically acquire and refine transferable skills such as research and analytical skills, communication skills, and interpersonal skills. - Multiple career options
Students opting for International Studies can become diplomats, working on a broad range of topics in areas such as environmental issues, climate change, or human trafficking. Still, a degree in international relations is not limited to a political or diplomatic path. Students can pursue a career in intelligence, such as an analyst or consultant and many a times with higher academic degree in international studies one can opt for a journey in Academics and Advisory to Government or Multi-National Agencies. Students who choose to work in politics can develop and implement related policies that can potentially improve lives around the world. For example, they may work to coordinate counterterrorism, assist in natural crises, promote human rights, and address concerns like world hunger and environmental issues.
A degree in International Studies opens job perspective in prestigious fields such as:
- Diplomat
A diplomat’s job description is maintaining good relations between countries. Diplomats represent and protect a nation’s interests abroad in terms of politics, trade, and consular services. Some of the responsibilities are collecting and reporting on all the information that would affect the nation’s interests, discussing and negotiating issues like peace, trade, economics, and social and cultural aspects. A young scholar in International Relations can always have a firsthand experience as intern with embassy and ministries. - Intelligence Analyst
Intelligence analysts work in the national security departments, or mostly in home-state departments. Prior to joining academic, I too was associated with Ministry of Home Affairs as a Research Officer and served them with my analytical skills and report writing. Some primary duties of Intelligence Analyst include collecting and analyzing operational data, conducting mission reports, evaluating results, and maintaining intelligence databases. - Policy Analyst
Usually, policy analysts get employed by the government, but work opportunities can be found within media companies or research institutes. Some of the tasks that they do are interpreting political developments, analyzing laws, and advising government officials, political parties, or the media. - Lobbyist
Lobbyists usually get hired by an association, corporation, or non-profit organization. Given the varied interests in global trade deals, most lobbyists work in country capitals. Lobbyists’ leading roles are monitoring, researching, and analyzing legislation, attending congressional hearings, reaching out to government policymakers, and using communication tools to promote ideas to the public. - Communications Specialist
Communications specialists have the chance to work at a local office that has a global reach. Non-profit agencies like World Vision and Red Cross provide such services, but there are many other options. Primary duties include creating effective communication strategies, handling internal communications, writing content for media, and social networks.
Overall International Studies offers a wide range of carrier options peppered with new and innovative ideas in social science. The world with shrinking distance, issues like migration, gender, holistic justice, and international affairs are getting more prominence than ever. In the coming years graduating with International Studies will surely help students to gear up for the future.
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