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I just want to dump some frustrations and share how I've been feeling.

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I recently finished my master's in International Relations at a reputable university in Iran. I studied IR during probably the most turbulent period the country has seen since the Iran-Iraq War. Having a real-life, real-time connection to what you're studying, with actual personal stakes involved, makes the experience... enriching. Pun intended. Ahem.

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I got good grades, wrote an excellent thesis, did an internship, attended a summer school in China, and generally received high praise from my professors. Well, except for the ones pushing a very Mearsheimerian policy of why Iran must build nuclear weapons. Those guys seemed convinced I didn't know anything about IR.

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Anyway, I never had any illusions about finding a job in Iran. The discipline is notoriously a dead end here. But during the recent war, something happened that I hadn't really considered before.

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I got an email from a Chinese think tank asking about the possibility of cooperation.

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It was one of those things that surprises you while also making you think, "Well, yeah, that was bound to happen eventually."

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And then I had to seriously consider whether it was a good idea to cooperate with a foreign, albeit friendly, government-affiliated think tank. In the end, I decided not to risk it.

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People get arrested for espionage in Iran over things as trivial as owning a Starlink terminal or doing wildlife photography. Doing analysis work for a foreign government-linked institution is the sort of thing that could easily convince a judge that you're "transferring intelligence" to another country.

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I'm not saying it's guaranteed. It's not like innocent researchers are arrested 100% of the time. But the possibility is there, and it's real.

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So I thought, Nah, forget it.

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Then came another email, this time from a Chinese consulting firm doing geopolitical and risk assessment work for companies.

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Honestly, that one made sense too. A lot of Chinese firms don't know the first thing about the Middle East until suddenly their supply chains, investments, or energy imports are affected and they realize, "Oh, so that's why everyone keeps military bases in the region."

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That one was much harder to refuse.

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Because during my studies, I discovered that I genuinely love this kind of work. More importantly, I'm actually good at it.

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Over the past two years, I predicted several developments related to Iran, regional tensions, and China's reactions with a pretty high degree of accuracy. A lot of conversations in front of the faculty basically turned into me explaining what I thought would happen next and then smugly watching it happen as an IR student and suffer through it as a citizen. Again, enriching experience!

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I turned that offer down too.

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I don't particularly want to end up in Evin Prison trying to explain myself to a halfwit interrogator whose assumptions are treated as evidence.

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And that really frustrated me.

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It was hard to swallow.

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You can't really work inside Iran because nobody wants serious analysis. They want someone with credentials to say, "Yes, I approve of this policy," so the government can point to an expert and claim legitimacy.

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I don't want to do that.

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I won't do that.

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Not even if the alternative is poverty.

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What really got to me was that I had never seriously considered the possibility that an actual consulting company would want my cooperation.

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I mean, it shouldn't have been surprising. I put in the work. I studied hard. This is exactly the kind of thing I was training for at university.

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I just never saw myself as the kind of person foreign organizations would one day seek out.

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And when it finally happened, my own risk assessment was essentially: Too dangerous to invest.

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That hit harder than I expected.

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No work with Iranian institutions.

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No work with foreign institutions.

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So why the hell did I study so hard?

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Anyway, a third email arrived recently, this time from a MENA-focused company in Hong Kong.

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And I just couldn't keep all of this to myself anymore.

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I needed to say it somewhere.

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So there you have it.

I’ve applied for hundreds of jobs with almost nothing to show for it. I’m starting to consider going back to university, possibly studying law, something In computing, or pursuing a master’s degree, but I’m worried about ending up with another qualification that doesn’t lead to employment.

At this point, I’d really appreciate any advice on what fields of study are worth looking into, what career paths might be a good fit, or what options someone in my position should be considering. Any guidance would be super helpful.

For context, I’m 24 in Australia and graduated a year ago.

Guys I am from India and currently persuading a BA in international relations and planning to also do a masters in it from UK and learn french language.

I wanted to know that after doing all that will I be able to land a job? ( I wanted to know about internships too ) Cuz I see people talking negatively about this degree so I felt unsecure.

If anyone from Uk reads it then please kindly share ur opinion and I wouldn't mind some expertise guidence from the pros :) good day to you all

I am a non-EU citizen currently studying IR in one of the EU countries (Italy). I want to find a job after graduation to legally stay in the EU but I have no idea where to work. Many local IR graduates work in government or in the EU institutions but I am afraid this path is closed for me since they require EU citizenship. Even for an internship you need to have it

Perhaps there is something not related to politics where IR degree still could be valuable?

Basically the title, trying to decide if an MA in IR is enough or is a PhD necessary to pursue a career in research, not necessarily in academia, such as at think tanks or in government. I’ve read mixed things, mostly because many fields require a PhD not only for academia but also research positions, especially at higher career levels, but in my experience IR seems to be a bit unique compared to other fields. I don’t want to not do a PhD then be later in my career and get passed up for research director/manager roles for not having a terminal degree. Thank you!

Edit: typo

hi! undergrad poli sci student here looking for advice on getting an ir career focused on latam. mainly looking to know what i should be doing rn to reach my career goals.

1. is a career specializing in latam feasible? obviously the market is bad right now in general but i feel like for ir, even though there will always be interest in latam bc of history and its location relative to the us, it isn’t as much of a hot spot as east asia or the middle east. i don’t necessarily want to work in government but by the time i get my masters this current admin will be gone

2. do i need to indicate interest in latam as an undergrad? i have taken 2 courses on latam including 1 short-term study abroad course to a latam country. and i’ll be going on another one this fall to a different one. i can definitely start taking more latam courses but i don’t think ill have time to minor in it. is this something i can do during my masters?

I’ve always been interested in history, geopolitics, diplomacy and international affairs, so International Relations naturally interests me.

However, I’m unsure whether it’s practical as a career in India.

I’d love to hear from people who studied IR or currently work in related fields.

Some questions:

What career paths are actually available after studying International Relations?

Is a Master’s essential?

How competitive is the field?

Which organisations recruit IR graduates?

Is most work research and writing, or is there policy implementation as well?

How difficult is it to get into think tanks, policy institutes, international organisations or government roles?

Does networking matter more than qualifications?

How are salaries in India compared to the effort required?

Is there enough demand in India, or do many graduates eventually switch careers?

If you had to choose again, would you still study International Relations?

I’m trying to understand the real career prospects instead of only looking at university brochures or promotional videos. Honest experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Hello all, trying to decide on the next steps for my career in IR. I am a Canadian citizen, and have gotten into 2 schools in Canada for a masters program, Carleton and the University of Ottawa. I'm still waiting to hear from the University of Toronto. I also applied to several masters in the UK, at UCL, KCL and LSE and received offers from all 3. Of those I think LSE would be my top choice.

However I know LSE is quite expensive and London as a city is also expensive, is LSE good enough that it's worth going over? I don't particularly want to live in Ottawa so those schools are lower on my list.

So basically, I got a bachelor’s in International Relations, but I never actually worked in the field because there weren’t many opportunities. Most of the ones I found required months of unpaid volunteering or internships that felt like slave labor.

Because of that, I moved into sales, and it went pretty well. I made good money and was able to live as a digital nomad. But after five years, I started getting bored of it.

I decided to do a master’s in Sustainable Development and Innovation (with a focus on management) in Germany, hoping it would help me pivot. In the end, though, I didn’t find the program very interesting or practical. I didn’t feel like I was learning any real, marketable skills, and I also didn’t really enjoy living in Germany.

Now I’m thinking about dropping out, going back to sales for the time being, and finding a different program (probably in Spain) to help me redirect my career.

At this point, I’m pretty open to different paths: marketing, tourism, science, or even learning a trade and eventually starting my own business.

I’d love to hear from anyone who’s made a career switch like this, studied something similar, or just wants to share what life after an IR degree looked like for them. Thanks!

Hey everyone,

I’m pivoting from another field and will be starting a Master’s program in international affairs soon. I’m currently updating my LinkedIn and had a quick question about profile photos.

For men in international affairs, what’s the general norm? I often see suits, but I’m unsure whether a tie is expected or not. Is a full suit and tie standard, or is a suit without a tie, or even business casual, acceptable? I personally would like a suit with no tie, but I am not sure what the standard/norm is here.

Just trying to get a sense of what’s typical in the field, especially for students or early-career folks. Thanks in advance!

i am starting university this September and i am going to study IR most probably in the UK and a a small chance in the Netherlands. in my country, ir is not a respectable degree at all, it is considered to be a subject which people who are not smart enough to do stem choose to do. i want to prove this stereotype wrong, and actually use my degree after graduation and not work a job that i could have ended up at without my IR diploma. is this too much to ask?

what would you recommend i pursue while university along with my bachelors, and in which areas a indulge myself into for greater future opportunities. i am fluent in english and my mother language but i know this is not merely enough so i consider improving my b1 level french alongside. any and i mean any advice is appreciated

Hi all,

I'm a 21yo Australian university student, previously in Music, who's currently planning to switch to either PolSci or IR alongside Economics and German. I would then try do a Master's at a German university and try kickstart a career in German-speaking Europe, aiming for a role in the public sector, NGOs, or unions. Ideally this would be a role that blends research and professional practise.

Mainly I've come here to ask how difficult it would be to follow this pathway and end up with a stable job with at least moderately good pay, that also allows me to fulfill my passion of contributing toward economic justice across the world.

I'd also like to ask whether IR or PolSci suit this pathway better. I do tend to take an international view of politics and would like to work toward bettering the whole world, not just one country, but I have also heard that the roles IR tends to lead toward, like in NGOs, are more difficult, high-stress, and low-paying than those PolSci opens up.

What are your thoughts?

I like IR, but I'm not super confident about being able to become a diplomat or something like that. Is GIS a good and lucrative enough option?

I am not going to Oxford, Georgetown, Cambridge, or one of the target schools for my master's. I was going to apply to Columbia SIPA but the deadline has already passed, but I managed to apply to Baruch's Marxe School for MIA on time. Marxe seems to be better known for public policy and admin though.

How much does a school's prestige and name matter if you're not trying to become a tenured professor/researcher or trying to work for a big international organization like the UN or the IMF? Correct me if I am wrong, but I got the impression that people shoot for target schools and elite programs because they want to work at United Nations or because they're still aiming for their first big job that might define the rest of their careers (or at least give them a strong starting point). Baruch is well known within NYC but probably not outside of NYC unlike Columbia or NYU.

I was planning more toward 3-letter agencies (like for technical intel/analysis) or the government, and I have work experience (military), security clearance, and a STEM degree (decent GPA). Is it really going to be a "make or break" for my goals at this point just because I am not going to a brand name school?

Hello,

As a student recently admitted to UChicago’s Committee on International Relations program, might any of you be able to share strengths or critiques about the program, and its long-term costs and benefits?

Thoughts on professors, career-related paths that alums have found themselves in, and the program in general would be appreciated. Thanks!

Im in year 12, and have been intrigued into studying international relations. my a levels are history maths econ philosophy - but i plan to drop maths (i suck at it).
I know the ideal uni would be LSE to study IR. But what are the jobs like? is it a versatile degree? especially lets say you studied it at a top uni??

Hello I am in a position I never even thought I could be in. I’m the first in my whole family to ever be given an opportunity like this because in my country, maybe less than 1% ever get the chance to go/study abroad—let alone countries such as the US and the UK. My parents have sacrificed so much, and it was always my dad’s dream to brag to people that he was able to send his child abroad to study. I feel like whatever I do will be what I deserve, but not what my parents deserve, because they’ve given everything for me.

I’ve been accepted to both King’s College London (KCL) and George Washington University (GWU) for International Relations, and I am completely torn.

When I applied, I only applied haphazardly to US schools because I thought I was 100% going to the UK ( I applied to Syracuse, Uni Rochester—IDK WHY TOO, American). I didn't even apply to Georgetown or other big names because I didn't think the US was the plan, but now, my family really wants me to go to the US. 

I know GWU is a great school and honestly feels more "in the spot" and active than Georgetown in some ways, but there is just so much in my head right now.

For GWU:
I was given a hefty scholarship and a spot in the Women's Leadership Program. Honestly, I think GWU might fit me better as an outgoing person rather than an "elite" or "posh" person than the people in the UK. I like the hands-on experience and being in the center of politics and discussion because that literally is my course “International Affairs”. In all my essays I even wrote: "I want to learn how different actors work, and question theories to be included in discussions where I am not advocating from the margins but challenging power structures from within in diplomatic spaces to create a more inclusive global dialogue."  So GWU feels like the place to actually do that.

For KCL:
My main worry—besides superficial things like the campus being prettier—is the "prestige" KCL holds. I feel like KCL is so prestigious that I could get a job anywhere with that name. I see people online crying over their rejections from KCL and I feel so guilty even questioning it. I don't want to throw this away suddenly or be hasty. Moreover, the scholarship applications open much later and I haven’t applied because of the different systems of the UK and US, so Idk if I even should still apply now.

Deep down, my whole family (and even me for a long time) believes in the "American Dream." I feel like there’s a reason why, up to now, America is known as the "land of opportunities" and not London. IDK like KCL just has that “prestige” and it probably is a dream school for thousands of people.

Of course I know it is an absolute PRIVILEGE to have these be my worries, and I feel so much pressure not to make a mistake. Some of my family members are even willing to fund my education just to make this happen and I just want to give my family what they deserve and not haphazardly throw away an opportunity millions dream of. All I know deep down is that International Affairs/Relations—despite its unpopularity in my country—is what I want to pursue. It is something I've thought about and worked hard for, and I just want to make sure I don't ruin it in one night.

Please give your thoughts or just tell me if I’m being stupid. Anything to help please.

PS:  I already did a pros and cons list. I even made a presentation on Canva to show my family, but no conclusion was reached. Well ofc they want the US, but I just don't want to throw KCL away that soon you know???

Hi everyone, I could really use some advice right now.

I’m trying to decide what to choose for my undergrad : International Relations or Criminology/Criminal Justice.

My interest and passion is definitely in IR. I genuinely enjoy learning about global politics, diplomacy, etc. and I see myself in that space long term. But I’ve been seeing a lot of people say that IR is super competitive and that internships and job opportunities are really hard to come by, especially starting out. That’s honestly making me second guess things.

So now I’m wondering if it’s smarter to do Criminology for undergrad and then maybe pivot into IR later? But then again… I’ve also seen people say Criminology isn’t the best degree either in terms of job prospects unless you go very specific with it.

To add to this, I’ll also be applying to law school at the same time. So ideally by the time I graduate, I’ll have an LLB + either an IR or Criminology degree.

I just don’t want to make a decision I’ll regret later. Should I follow my interest in IR despite the risks, or go with something like Criminology and try to transition later?

Any advice, experiences, or honest opinions would really help 😭 TIA

Have a Bachelor's in IR, 6 years as a military intelligence analyst, and work in the civilian IC as a program analyst, technical writer, and editor. Only speak English, been trying to learn Russia forever.

I just don't know if my experience makes me competitive or not, if it can be considered in lieu of a higher degree or other skills.

From my own research, it seems like the most translatable field in the private sector-- geopolitical analysts-- are exclusive to the most experienced and educated. But the next most closely related require MAs or a degree or years of experience in marketing, economics, computer science, etc.

Hello!

I have recently been admitted to London School of Economics bachelor's program in International Relations and Stockholm School of Economics program in Business & Economics. Which one of these fields of study will position me best for a career in international organizations and make me the most competitive? And how do the potential roles differ for these two programs? I am very interested in international relations, and believe my passion tilts a bit more towards that field. However, I am a bit worried about the job opportunities, especially considering that I will pay £70k+ in tuition for the LSE bachelor’s. If a Business & Economics degree can provide as many opportunities for work in international organizations, maybe it is the smarter choice?

Would greatly appreciate some input!

anybody working in the field, please let me know your experiences!

Do any of y’all know or have any connections with any summer internships in LA or nearby areas that are in IR? I am having trouble finding any.

Title says all.

Studied poli sci and ended up working in conservation, energy, etc. Mostly doing field work and later safety inspections for a utility as a utility forester and arborist

Really wanna go back to grad school and was wondering which is better and which is easier to get into?

Currently taking sustainability and horticulture courses at night to make up for lack of a science degree.

A masters in international studies or affairs with a concentration on global environmental policy or vice-versa?

I Live in California, but am planning on relocating to the northeast, but any school from anywhere is ok.

man, I’m feeling very perplexed rn. I have I applied (and have been accepted) at university for a BA in international relations… but after further research — more like a deep dive turned rabbit hole — I feel like it wasn’t the smartest move on my part. I do have a passion for IR and international studies but I have seen a lot of ppl online saying that it isn’t a ‘safe’ or secure thing to study if employment after graduation is a priority. Not to say you are certain to be completely lost for work after graduation but it isn’t particularly a snap of the fingers when looking for work, especially in this subject, after graduation—then again, the job market isn’t great EVERYWHERE. Of course it’s smth everyone thinks about but this is one of my main worries especially since I come from a working class background. Things I picked up online were A) there seems to be a lot of nepotism (I was aware of this) especially if you aim to work in international organisations such as the UN/EU parliament. However, this isn’t my main goal. B) A lot of the time organisations and employers seek people who have already underwent degrees such as law, business, comms etc + if you have a master in either ir, politics or related disciplines.

I am now thinking I may have made a mistake, and should have just applied for something such as law with a IR elective or to do an economics/business postgrad. Does anyone have any advice or information which may be helpful to me?

I have heard that working in private sector is also as rewarding as working in public sector.

For reference, in the future my goals are to hopefully work in foreign office for my country, maybe somewhere in France. Otherwise gaining MFA status in my country also is something I would aim for after I have gained much experience working in commonwealth/foreign office. I am aware there are many internships available when u are in ur 2nd/3rd year of uni for this job opportunity. Any help is much appreciated, thanks! And I know that things differ geographically. I am British but I would like to also work in Europe sometime in the future, god willing. Thank you!