CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR
INTERNATIONAL STUDIES MAJORS
SKILLS & ABILITIES OF THE INTERNATIONAL STUDIES MAJOR
Skills  Conflict Resolu on
 Diplomacy
 Ethics
 Power Poli cs
 Foreign Language
 Policy Analysis
 Ac ve Listening
 Social Percep veness
 Problem Sensi vity
 Coordina on
 Time Management
 Complex Problem Solving
 Judgment and Decision‐Making
Knowledge  Interna onal Law
 Transna onal Forces
 Military Strategy
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Economic Development Strategies
Human Rights
Geography
Foreign Language (Preferred)
Abili es  Wri en & Oral Communica on (Reports)
 Deduc ve Reasoning– Apply general rules to spe‐
cific problems
 Close A en on to Detail
 Induc ve Reasoning– U lize specific details to
form general rules
 Problem Sensi vity
 Networking– Form strong interpersonal
rela onships
 Obtain Updated Informa on
*Par ally taken from O*Net OnLine & Educa onforadults.com
POTENTIAL INTERNATIONAL STUDIES CAREERS
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Archivist
Demographer
Diplomat
Foreign Affairs Analyst
Foreign Affairs Specialist
Foreign Service Officer
Immigra on Specialist
Intelligence Specialist
Journalist
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Language Specialist
Humanitarian Relief Worker
Interna onal Educator
Careers Requiring Advanced Degrees  Interna onal Lawyer
 Professor of Interna onal Studies
 University Interna onal Student Advisor
*Par ally taken from O*Net OnLine & the NC State Career Center
TYPES OF EMPLOYERS
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State/Federal Government
Banks
Interna onal Organiza ons
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Import/Export Organiza ons
Non‐Profit Organiza ons
Travel Industry
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Business and Industry
Public Rela ons Firms
Peace Corps
* Provided By The University of Southern California Career Center
NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS POSITIONS
BY FEDERAL AGENCIES
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Defense
Department of Jus ce
Department of State
Office of Personnel Management
42,844
5,534
4,585
2,093
*Provided by Fedscope, March 2010
ADDITIONAL INTERNATIONAL STUDIES RESOURCES
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Foreign Service of the Department of State, www.state.gov
Federal Government Employment Opportuni es, www.usajobs.gov
United Na ons, www.un.org
World Trade Organiza on, www.wto.org
Peace Corps Employment Center, h p://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.former.carres
University of Minnesota: Guide to Careers in Interna onal Rela ons, h p://blog.lib.umn.edu/gpa/
globalnotes/2011/04/prof‐zelizers‐guide‐to‐careers‐2.php
 Associa on of Interna onal Educators, www.nafsa.org
RELATED BOOKS IN THE CAREER RESOURCE LIBRARY (CLC 530)
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Careers in Interna onal Affairs
College Majors Handbook
The Internship Series: Internships in Interna onal Rela ons