<p>I am very interested in International relations, learning about other countries, how they effect each other, America's place in the international community, etc. Though I wonder, besides running for office in Congress or something similar, which is unlikely for any graduate unless you come from a rich family, what are some initial career paths you can pursue with just an International Relations Masters? </p>
<p>Is it likely that you can be hired in an institute? Such as the Council of Foreign Affairs, or the Washington Institute for Near East Policy? What are some entry level jobs for those with a Masters degree in the State Department? What factors determine what types of jobs you can get with this degree, without coming from a rich family already? And finally, how does which college you are in effect all this? </p>
<p>Anyone who knows this, or even better, who is an IR major now, or graduate I would appreciate your insight. :)</p>
<p>I'm a graduate student in international relations. I would say there are three main paths for people with an IR degree. </p>
<p>The first would be government, either State or elsewhere, which doesn't even necessarily require a graduate degree (although one has to take the Foreign Service Exam for State). I have a friend who worked for State both in DC and abroad while an undergrad (we went to GW so we were studying in DC). </p>
<p>The second would be a think tank or other type of institute (likes the ones you mentioned), I used to work for a think tank as an undergrad and hope to go back to that when I graduate with my masters. I worked mostly researching, editing, and writing policy papers and I did historical and philosophical research for the President of the Institute for his new book over the summer. One certainly can get a job in these types of organizations, although it can be quite competitive, I'm looking at research assistant positions. The catch is that to move up and be a Fellow (who are the actually scholars who do most of the writing of the papers) one needs a Ph.D. There are other types of positions as well though if research isn't your interest and there opportunities for all different areas of IR depending on your interests. There are think tanks for tons of issues or regions, as well as more general ones. </p>
<p>The third would be an int'l org or an NGO, which is also something I'm looking at. There are also some other types of jobs (consulting for one) but these are less common, especially at the entry level. There is international business type things as well, but I consider that a subset of IR proper. </p>
<p>I don't really know what factors would be relevant. IR jobs tend not to pay that well, at least initially, but it certainly isn't necessary to be independently wealthy to pursue these types of careers. The deciding factors in getting jobs are probably how you did in your studies, perhaps where you went, sometimes what you studied (if your interests or concentrations match the organization or job you are applying for), and experience (it's a huge plus both in getting into grad school, and necessary to get into some schools, and also in getting an actually job.) </p>
<p>I've already written a very long post so if you have more questions or want more details, send me a private message. There are lots of other IRers on this board so I'm sure others will jump in.</p>
<p>interesting, international history, so you would study figures like Metternich and the Congress of Vienna etc? Personally, that's my favorite topic. (btw, I pmed you)</p>
<p>Perhaps you shouldn't be so worried about not coming from a rich family. I admit, it makes things much harder, but this can be overcome by some extent to hard work and/or an elite degree and connections made in college.</p>
<p>Good point. Well its hard to find many senators or top government officials, or presidents, or secretary of states that did not come from a wealthy family. Though I agree that graduating from a prestigious college with connections to fellow students who do have wealthy families off-sets this.</p>