For students interested in the global landscape and how to make it a more peaceful and just place, international affairs is a fascinating field to explore. It combines politics, economics, history and culture to examine how nations and organizations interact across borders.
Central to international affairs are issues of conflict and cooperation among states, as well as the role of non-state actors like corporations and NGOs. IA majors consider domestic influences on state behavior, the foreign relations of states, characteristics of the international system, and the roles of individuals within nations.
A degree in international affairs opens up a number of career paths, including positions with government agencies at the local, state or federal level; jobs with multilateral organizations composed of several countries (like the United Nations); and careers with multinational companies, private research firms and development consulting firms. In addition, many international affairs majors choose to specialize in a particular area or region of the world through an intensive study of that region’s culture, history, political system, language and foreign policy.
Students in the major will gain a range of skills that are critical to any industry, including critical thinking, the ability to see different perspectives on complex international issues, and clear communication. These are all skills that employers in every sector value and look for in new hires. Students will also gain valuable professional experience through participating in real-world events, simulations like Model United Nations and hands-on research.