I want to go into politics but...

Career Opportunities & Internships
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<p>So I am interested in international relations. After my undergrad I would like to get a masters in security studies perhaps and work in any organization that fights against international terrorism or makes general military decisions (e.g. the UN decided to enforce a no-fly zone in Libya). I'm really open to anything though. The US foreign service seems like another dream job. </p>

<p>The problem is that most of these positions require, at the least, a secret clearance, and the big jobs require a top secret clearance. I am a US citizen and was born and raised in the US. I have lived here all my life. However, my parents are both Indian citizens. They currently work at an international organization which is why I am here, really. But although I am proud of being an American, judging by what the government looks at during the background checks, it's pretty much hopeless that I will get a top secret clearance. I am still in contact with a few relatives in India, my parents are still Indian citizens, India's relations with the US are not comparable to those of Great Britain or France, and I visit India for 3 weeks every other year. What's more is that I will be heading off to college in Canada for my undergrad degree next year, so I will be studying in an international country, hanging out with internationals, etc. All of which will make it even more hard to get that top secret security clearance. </p>

<p>It is slightly irritating that one needs to "have a country" to help bring order to the world. The big international organizations all have representatives from each country. Where would I be? One option is to become an Indian citizen, but then I doubt India would give me a top secret clearance...I can only speak broken Hindi for that matter, not that its a requirement or anything but yeah.</p>

<p>Is it even worth majoring in political science and trying to work in the political world? Should I just give up on this and let other..nationalists rule the area of politics?</p>

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<p>your parents not being U.S. citizens does not automatically disqualify you, I don’t think, but they will dig into those relationships hard, and your parents would likely be investigated as well.</p>

<p>If you want to do something other than write strongly worded letters with no tangible impact, I suggest you don’t work for the UN.</p>

<p>A lot of US agencies have a piece of the fight against terrorism, and some of the positions only require a Secret clearance.</p>

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<p>thanks for the response.</p>

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<p>I am interested in a very similar career path as you. From what I know about receiving a top secret clearance - you are correct…it will be nearly impossible to receive one (from the infamous 3-letter agencies) if both of your parents are foreign nationals. My mother has been a naturalized citizen for 16 years and I’m already having a hard enough time as it is.
That being said, don’t let that discourage you from majoring in political science. You can abosolutely work in fighting against international terrorism without getting a top secret clearance. There are a lot of NGOs ie Business Executives for National Security that deal with security issues but don’t require a clearance. And you haven’t even started attending college yet, don’t assume that international terrorism is the only area of interest that you’d want to work in. Give poly-sci a chance! :slight_smile: good luck</p>