Foreign Affairs Careers
Michael Wolfe
Michael Wolfe has been writing and editing since 2005, with a background including both business and creative writing. He has worked as a reporter for a community newspaper in New York City and a federal policy newsletter in Washington, D.C. Wolfe holds a B.A. in art history and is a resident of Brooklyn, N.Y.
By Michael Wolfe, eHow Contributor
Foreign affairs, also known as international relations, is a field of study in which students learn about issues that affect international states and peoples. The subject is intensely interdisciplinary, covering a wide swath of topics, including conflict, trade, security, the environment and human rights. As a reflection of this, those who hold degrees in international relations have access to a number of different careers.
Education
Many holders of degrees in international relations will return to academia as a career, taking positions as professors or researchers. Many international relations professors have real-world experience, having previously worked for a government agency or a nonprofit organization. However, unless their professional credentials are truly exceptional, they will need a doctorate degree in order to receive a position as a full professor.
Foreign Service
Perhaps the most popular career path for international relations graduates is diplomacy. Many degree holders will work for their country's foreign service, holding one of two main types of jobs: political jobs, in which they help shape and implement policy; and support staff, in which they man a nation's embassies and provide support to citizens traveling or working abroad. Those who hold a bachelor's degree. can apply for entry-level positions, but higher-level diplomatic positions are generally restricted to Ph.D. holders.
International Business
Many of the skills developed in international relations can be applied towards a career in international business, especially for those companies seeking to enter foreign markets, a situation in which a knowledge of local laws and culture is essential. There are no strict degree requirements to enter international business, although some companies like employees to hold MBAs, particularly in management positions.
Intelligence
Many international relations graduates, particularly those with a concentration in security studies, enter a career in the intelligence community. In the United States, this can include working for the Central Intelligence Agency, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense, most of whom require only a bachelor's degree for lower-level positions.
Journalism
A good knowledge of international relations can also be applied to a successful career in journalism, particularly one that involves covering diplomacy or being stationed in a foreign country. All foreign correspondents must develop a good working knowledge of how the country in which they are working functions. Journalists are generally not required to hold advanced degrees.
International Organizations
There are a number of large international organizations, such as the World Bank and the United Nations, that hire scores of international relations students each year. Tasks for these graduates vary, but many will involve research and program development. Degree requirements depend on the position for which the applicant is applying.
Foreign Trade
There are a number of positions, both in the public and private sector, that demand a comprehensive knowledge of international trade. For example, many employees of the the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Administration hold international relations degrees, as do those who trade on international markets as a business venture.
NGOs
International nongovernmental organizations, or NGOs, are organizations, usually nonprofit, are committed to achieving a political or humanitarian goal. Many involve issues covered in international relations, such as the environment, human rights and conflict resolution. Degree requirements vary by position.
Law
Many lawyers, particularly those who practice international law, also hold degrees in international relations. Those who wish to practice law must hold a law degree and have passed the bar. Even for those international relations students who do not seek a law degree, there are a number of legal positions available to them.
Source : http://www.ehow.com/list_6585541_foreign-affairs-careers.html
Read more: Foreign Affairs Careers | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_6585541_foreign-affairs-careers.html#ixzz1OIhzb0Zo
Michael Wolfe
Michael Wolfe has been writing and editing since 2005, with a background including both business and creative writing. He has worked as a reporter for a community newspaper in New York City and a federal policy newsletter in Washington, D.C. Wolfe holds a B.A. in art history and is a resident of Brooklyn, N.Y.
By Michael Wolfe, eHow Contributor
Foreign affairs, also known as international relations, is a field of study in which students learn about issues that affect international states and peoples. The subject is intensely interdisciplinary, covering a wide swath of topics, including conflict, trade, security, the environment and human rights. As a reflection of this, those who hold degrees in international relations have access to a number of different careers.
Education
Many holders of degrees in international relations will return to academia as a career, taking positions as professors or researchers. Many international relations professors have real-world experience, having previously worked for a government agency or a nonprofit organization. However, unless their professional credentials are truly exceptional, they will need a doctorate degree in order to receive a position as a full professor.
Foreign Service
Perhaps the most popular career path for international relations graduates is diplomacy. Many degree holders will work for their country's foreign service, holding one of two main types of jobs: political jobs, in which they help shape and implement policy; and support staff, in which they man a nation's embassies and provide support to citizens traveling or working abroad. Those who hold a bachelor's degree. can apply for entry-level positions, but higher-level diplomatic positions are generally restricted to Ph.D. holders.
International Business
Many of the skills developed in international relations can be applied towards a career in international business, especially for those companies seeking to enter foreign markets, a situation in which a knowledge of local laws and culture is essential. There are no strict degree requirements to enter international business, although some companies like employees to hold MBAs, particularly in management positions.
Intelligence
Many international relations graduates, particularly those with a concentration in security studies, enter a career in the intelligence community. In the United States, this can include working for the Central Intelligence Agency, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense, most of whom require only a bachelor's degree for lower-level positions.
Journalism
A good knowledge of international relations can also be applied to a successful career in journalism, particularly one that involves covering diplomacy or being stationed in a foreign country. All foreign correspondents must develop a good working knowledge of how the country in which they are working functions. Journalists are generally not required to hold advanced degrees.
International Organizations
There are a number of large international organizations, such as the World Bank and the United Nations, that hire scores of international relations students each year. Tasks for these graduates vary, but many will involve research and program development. Degree requirements depend on the position for which the applicant is applying.
Foreign Trade
There are a number of positions, both in the public and private sector, that demand a comprehensive knowledge of international trade. For example, many employees of the the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Administration hold international relations degrees, as do those who trade on international markets as a business venture.
NGOs
International nongovernmental organizations, or NGOs, are organizations, usually nonprofit, are committed to achieving a political or humanitarian goal. Many involve issues covered in international relations, such as the environment, human rights and conflict resolution. Degree requirements vary by position.
Law
Many lawyers, particularly those who practice international law, also hold degrees in international relations. Those who wish to practice law must hold a law degree and have passed the bar. Even for those international relations students who do not seek a law degree, there are a number of legal positions available to them.
Source : http://www.ehow.com/list_6585541_foreign-affairs-careers.html
Read more: Foreign Affairs Careers | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_6585541_foreign-affairs-careers.html#ixzz1OIhzb0Zo
No comments:
Post a Comment