College Grad with BA in International & Area Studies, Need Help

College Majors
1

<p>Hi guys, </p>

<p>This is my first time posting on this board, so hopefully I get a good set of responses from people that will help me in my current dilemma.</p>

<p>I am a 2010 graduate with a degree in International & Area Studies ( BA ) from the University of Oklahoma. Since graduating, I haven't had any leads on where to apply with my degree ( either a job or an internship ) and have had an even tougher time finding information online. The closest I ever got was an oppertunity to teach english abroad, but because of the many applicants that apply ( making my chances slim ) and a criminal record ( misdemeanor dui from 2009, which even though charges have been retracted since then, the possibility of there being an arrest record will automatically disqualify me ), it ended up not happening. Since then, I've been struggling finding employment of any kind, and while I have found some steady employment, it's still not within the field I am wanting to work in ( whatever that may be anymore ).</p>

<p>Since I am wanting to better my situation, I am needing to advice from the board. </p>

<p>1) What jobs have IAS graduates been able to get with their degree? How long did it take them to get a job with their IAS degree and what measures did they take to secure one ( what internships did they go with, etc )?</p>

<p>2) If an IAS degree is practically useless, would it be best to go back to school and what major would be the best choice to go with? I've been looking at Photography and Graphic Design, but have heard various things about both. </p>

<p>If anyone needs additional information that I wasn't able to provide in this thread, I'll be more than happy to. I just need some kind of direction at the moment.</p>

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<p>What exactly is internation and area studies? i have never heard of it. Just curious.</p>

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<p>Search the links here [Go</a> Global! @ UW-Madison | A project of Global Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison](<a href=“http://go.global.wisc.edu/]Go”>http://go.global.wisc.edu/) for some leads and suggestions.</p>

<p>Did you specialize in a particular country/region? Language skills? Study abroad? Areas of interest? Any particular disciplinary strengths (economics? politics? business?)</p>

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<p>@endoftime</p>

<p>As described by my college, International & Area Studies is an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to understanding global social, economic, political and cultural issues that encouraged a broad understanding of the world, while exploring the diversity and richness of other cultures.</p>

<p>@zapfino</p>

<p>I will take a look at the links provided. To answer your questions, also:</p>

<p>I started off as an Asian Studies ( focusing more on China ) but after a semester switched over to the General track, in which I didn’t have to take specific classes that focused on one area. I took five semesters of German. I went to China for my study abroad requirement. I don’t have any particular areas of interest. I’m pretty open to whatever/wherever. My disciplinary strengths were in politics, taking mostly classes dealing with national security. I didn’t take much economics or business ( I only took the required courses needed to obtain my degree ) so I couldn’t tell you how I would be in those areas.</p>