<p>I was thinking about double majoring in Econ. I tried majoring in bio last semester because it's very good to get in the medicinal field right now and I was actually very good at it but I hated the subject. Therefore, I changed my major. I have always liked politics, government, and history. It seems like political science is more for pre law students and history majors usually become teachers or worse. I am wondering if I can get a job with a degree in IR that makes a decent amount of money. I want to get a Masters so keep that in mind.</p>
<p>What’s “a decent amount of money?”</p>
<p>Can you get a solid job that will put you squarely in the middle-class? Sure.</p>
<p>Are you going to get a job that will put you in the ranks of the 1%? Probably not.</p>
<p>I want to make at least $50,000 a year. Like I said, I want to get my Masters. And I actually want to do something to do with my degree, not end up working at a bank instead for example.</p>
<p>if you go to the federal government in DC after getting your masters, you will be making 51K (GS-9) in your first year, and $75K (GS-12) in year 3. After that it gets a little more dicey and you will likely have to apply for individual openings that meet your skill set to get significant raises. If the job you get stops at a 12, then in year 4 you will get around $77K, but if you get lucky and can find one that goes to a GS-13 (these are rare), year 4 will get you $90K. There are a very [very, very, very] few number of jobs that go all the way to GS-15 without any competition ($120K)… I know the Congressional Research Service has some.</p>
<p>If you get into the government without your masters, you will probably start at GS-7 or $42K, and then the next year you will be promoted to GS-9.</p>
<p>that said, it is not especially easy to get into the federal government.</p>
<p>What are my other options besides going into federal government? NGO? Are my chances of getting any job in my field, good?</p>
<p>Everything soccerguy said. At your highest peak in federal government you will most likely make between 100 - 150K. Again, that’s after years of experience (I’m talking 20+ years. It’s not as easy as joining at GS9, three years later making GS12, and so on and so forth)… it’s hard work. It’s very political.
You could also work for non-profits, but you won’t make much either. Essentially, you get into IR knowing you want to help change the world and make a difference, not because you’ll be making hundreds of thousands of dollars like you could as a lawyer or doctor. You could do US politics and perhaps have a shot at making more money, especially in lobbying.</p>
<p>Also you could work for companies contracted with the fed govt, Booz Allen, Boeing, Raytheon, Textron, PWC, etc.</p>
<p>Ok thank you. I want to do something I like and actually make a difference. I am really interested in politics and world affairs. I want to do something I like and becoming a lawyer had never seemed very appealing to me. I just want a job that is stable and actually has to do with IR.</p>
<p>I think that with IR and econ you could work for many multinational companies in a broad range of fields… It could help to have some experience with business, though.</p>
<p>I’m an IR/economics major graduating in May and I have a conditional job offer with the government. You can absolutely get a decent job, but it is pretty darn competitive. There are quite a few international relations majors out there that are having a tough time finding jobs especially since there isn’t one set career field that you can go into with an IR degree. </p>
<p>Fortunately, there are a couple of things you can do to make international relations as a degree more significantly marketable (and thus easier for you to get a job):</p>
<p>~Double major in economics or business. Gives you more tangible skills, demonstrates that you have quantitative understanding of concepts etc, and better allows you to enter related fields like, political risk analysis, international business, international trade etc. Plus, a lot of government work is in economic policy. Having a good understanding of economics would help you in essentially any government/IR job. </p>
<p>~Double major in a critical language and/or take courses/specialize in a particular region. i.e. if you are interested in East Asia, take several years of Mandarin, study abroad in China, specialize in Asian studies. If you are interested in the Middle East, take Arabic/Farsi/Urdu, focus your papers on the Middle East, study abroad in Egypt or similar country etc.</p>
<p>~Internships during undergrad. Research experience in any social science field, internships with your local Congressmen (even if unpaid) etc. are vital to getting noticed by hiring authorities (especially in government). Even better, do your best to get an internship with a government agency during undergrad. A lot of the government jobs are super competitive, but you increase your chances substantially if you have worked for the federal government before (even as an office clerk).</p>