<p>I am an undergrad majoring in international affairs and minoring in political science. I am not sure what I want to do for a career yet, but I think I would like to work in government and foreign policy. Ideally, I would like to work for the UN, focusing on international law. I have been told that it is not worth it to go to law school if you do not want to be a lawyer. Would law school be a good choice for me or would I be better off going to grad school for international relations or choosing a different option?</p>
<p>Depends on what you want to do in “International Law,” which for what it’s worth is a basically nonexistent field (the way most undergrads tend to conceptualize it). If you’re looking to work for, say, the ICC or something, then I can imagine that a law degree would be helpful. (Such jobs are obviously very rare, selective, and poor-paying.)</p>
<p>On the other hand, if your interest is actually in government and foreign policy, then you want an MA in IR and then a job with the State Department or the UN.</p>
<p>law school would not be a good option. i would try to get an IR job right from u-grad and get a sense of what the field is looking for.</p>
<p>It must be said that the top policy makers in gov’t and foreign relations often have law degrees (think Robert Gates, Hillary Clinton, or Leon Panetta in the current administration). That doesn’t mean that law school is right for darkblue. OP, definitely talk to your advisers and others in the fields that interest you about their own sense of the best course for you.</p>
<p>First, do you speak at least one of the official UN languages other than English proficiently? If you don’t, forget working for the UN. </p>
<p>Second, are you a US citizen? I know a fair number of people who work for the UN, some of whom are US citizens. They all agree that it is a major disadvantage and tell any American who will listen NOT to work for the UN. Citizenship is, according to them, very, very much a factor in determining who gets promoted into important positions at the UN. Being an American will hinder your career prospects.</p>
<p>According to wikipedia, Robert Gates has an MA in History and a PhD in Russian History. No JD.</p>
<p>[Robert</a> Gates - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Gates]Robert”>Robert Gates - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>Funny, I thought Gates was a lawyer by training. Oh well. The Deputy Sec’y of Defense William Lynn is a law graduate as is the Deputy Sec’y of State. I’m just saying that a law degree certainly is no hindrance when it comes to working “in government and foreign policy” which is the OP’s basic career goal. As for the UN, I haven’t a clue, but Jonri’s remarks seem on target.</p>
<p>It probably isn’t a hindrance.</p>
<p>DSD Lynn is a JD (Cornell), but he also has what would now be called an MPA from Princeton’s Public Policy school.
[William</a> J. Lynn III - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_J._Lynn_III]William”>William J. Lynn III - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>DSS Lew started his political career (1979) before he attended law school (Georgetown).
[Jacob</a> Lew - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_J._Lew]Jacob”>Jack Lew - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>Yeah I don’t see where law school would hurt, only the debt one has to take on.</p>