The "International Relations" Bubble ?????

Applying to College
1

<p>I am just wondering if the "international relations" major is a bubble that is about to burst, just like the law school bubble.</p>

<p>How many international relations graduates are really needed?</p>

<p>What exactly are these graduates going to do for a job?</p>

<p>What actual skills are they learning, or is it just a glorified political science degree?</p>

<p>No doubt it is an interesting subject, but what is its true value in the employment market place?</p>

<p>I ask this because my son may major in IR.</p>

<p>And also because I don't want to see kids spending big money to get a degree that may not be worth much.</p>

<p>I don't have any answers to these questions-----just questions----and concerns.</p>

2

<p>No limit to how much the government can grow. However, if you’re concerned about the “bubble”, consider that many people in that field can choose specific fields- previously many were “Kremlinologists”. Now we still need that kind of professional, but especially for the Arabic world- knowing a foreign language that few people know but is in high demand is a major plus, and you can try to tag it into a college education. IR majors can also find jobs in many non-foreign service fields, including with private companies.</p>

<p>To sum it up, I’d say that IR majors will always be in demand, but mostly after they’ve gotten more specialized education or experience.</p>

3

<p>I also wonder what kind of jobs IR grads get right out of school… I feel like it’s a very good minor to combine with something like business but I don’t speak with much authority.</p>

4

<p>most go to grad school and specialize, otherwise it’s a good pre law major</p>

5

<p>I was thinking of doing premed and IR … Thoughts on a possible career?</p>

6

<p>@emmy - healthcare related pharmaceutical co/consulting co/non profit. anything that operates on a global scale, which most healthcare companies do.</p>

7

<p>My Sr. in high school daughter was leaning toward International Studies with a foreign language minor but is now leaning toward linguistics with a foreign language and possibly teaching certificate for TESOL.(think that is the acronym) I think linguistics and IR can lead to the same type of careers but my daughter feels like linguistics along with teaching may be more secure…that and she really loves history, sociology and languages.</p>

<p>And I agree, there does seem to be a lot of kids with an IR major!</p>