Saturday, March 26, 2016

Study International Relations?

by Karen S. Johnson, Demand Media

Studying international relations can lead to a myriad of interesting careers, from working in the U.S. State Department to vying for an ambassadorship in another country. It also provides a good educational foundation for graduate school. If your career path is uncertain but you have a fascination with cultures and languages, or how countries and their leaders interface, studying international relations can help you pinpoint your career. It also translates well into more mainstream careers, such as teaching or law.

Areas of Study
When studying international relations, you will delve into three distinct areas – economics, history and political science – to understand civilizations, cultures, traditions and world trade. You will get a historical look at world leaders, and understand the roles various organizations play around the world, such as the United Nations and non-governmental relations, or NGOs. Understanding a country or region’s history also helps foreign language development, if that is an area of interest.

Humanitarian and Health
The influence of religious leaders or access to healthcare can have a long-lasting influence on families and norms, such as how many children are born into a family or how citizens seek medical treatment. If you are interested in healthcare and eventually become a nurse or a doctor, your international studies will leverage your ability to work in humanitarian and health fields. You will gain a better understanding of why this international work is sometimes contentious, or works better in some countries than others.

Related Reading: How to Register an International Domain Name

Education
If you think teaching is in your future, your background in international relations is an asset in any classroom because of the fusion of disciplines. If you want to explore an overseas position, you will find that it’s often easier to teach abroad than in the U.S., requiring only a bachelor’s degree. Programs can vary from just one year to several years. A grasp of the native language is an advantage, but you can also find programs that include language training as part of your teaching package.

Business and Law
If you go on to law school, your international relations studies is a great asset in international law practice or even in navigating business contracts. Companies routinely conduct business with overseas vendors, partners and customers. If they expand internationally, they need to understand work laws and regulations, as well as any constraints imposed by the U.S. on doing business with a specific country. Other business areas that benefit from international relations include marketing, human resources and management.

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