International relations at CMC or Pomona - will I be at a disadvantage on the job market?

College Search & Selection
1

I’m very interested in studying international relations, and Pomona and CMC are among some of my top college choices because of a variety of reasons. I know they would be very good schools for grad school admission in addition to having strong programs. But I was wondering if I decide not to go to grad school and just stick with my undergraduate degree at a LAC if I’d be at a disadvantage. This is because I know LACs like Pomona and CMC are very well known and highly regarded nationally, but if I wanted an international career, would having a LAC degree be a disadvantage for me when applying for jobs? I’d appreciate any feedback, thanks everyone!

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bump

3

Assuming your first job will be in the US, no an undergrad degree from Pomona or CMC will not be a hindrance. After a few years out of college no one will care where you went to college.

4

Depends upon whether your first job out of college is in the US or abroad. If targeting US based positions, then no you will not be hampered by a degree from either of these outstanding schools.

5

Not a hindrance, not a help. There are a handful of schools that have a name for IR; for schools like CMC & Pomona it is the same as any generic highly selective LAC.

Your internships will matter A LOT. Start working on those before Thanksgiving of first year- not exaggerating. Do a DC semester at least; better is a DC semester + an international semester/summer/year in which you are taking classes in your target language.

6

Claremont McKenna College has a long & outstanding reputation for strong placement in international business as well as government.

CMC has an unusally strong, tight alumni group.

If I could redirect my kids college choices, Claremont McKenna would be among the top 2 or 3 targeted schools even including Ivies & Georgetown SFS.

Claremont McKenna is well known for government, economics, and international relations.

7

International Relations =/= International Business

Not dissing CMCs at all. Answering a specific question about a specific field.

8

OP: Claremont McKenna College shares an “Outcomes Brochure 2019” for each graduating class.

CMC has one of the best reputations for placement in industry, government, and grad school in the US.

If you search the internet, you should find articles detailing CMC grads’ phenominal successes in the real world.

https://claremontmckenna.app.box.com/s/9x78t9vquzd19jz5ruu4ewbdefooj6zb

CMC is a very social school.