25/01/2022
Earning a Master in International Relations from IE University can clear the path to a wealth of different career options, from politics to business and beyond.
The skills you learn over the course of an international relations master’s program are highly transferable and include everything from learning how to present yourself through public speaking and in writing, forming persuasive arguments, and collaborating with others toward common goals. These skills are desirable to employers for many different roles.
People who have completed IE University’s Master in International Relations program have gone on to work across an array of industries and at global players such as UNICEF, the European Parliament, Klarna, the OAS and more. Read on to discover where your degree can take you!
Public affairs and politics
The skill sets that international relations students acquire are extremely useful in roles related to political science. Common jobs in this area include: working as a civil servant for the government, working in public affairs toward conflict resolution or policy development, or serving abroad as a diplomat.
Our program’s alumni have specifically landed roles such as European Parliamentary Assistant, Research Assistant, and Public Affairs Intern, to name a few.
Each of these roles capitalizes on the knowledge that your international relations degree gives you regarding history and the dynamics between political groups or countries with varying interests. In addition, you’ll rely on the research skills you hone during your studies to stay up to date on current affairs.
You can also apply your skills in political analysis to work as a journalist.
Since you’ll develop strong writing skills as an international relations student, you’ll be well prepared to construct coherent analyses of current events for publication across various types of platforms.
The business world
Studying international relations involves developing the skills to analyze a multitude of factors and the way they can influence the outcomes of a situation. This capacity for analysis is especially valuable in the business realm.
As such, some international relations students go on to become important figures in international banks, marketing executives, consultants or economists.
The ability to assess factors at play and to forecast are key to success in these roles.
IE University’s partnership with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) ensures that students are surrounded by opportunities to learn how to apply these skills in roles involving economic decision-making.
What’s more, students can make important connections while they study, with nearly 200 recruiting partners having visited our campus in the 2019-2020 academic year—including Uber, Facebook, Nike, Goldman Sachs and S&P Global.
Social development and international aid
Another common career path for international relations students is social development or roles in international aid organizations. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as well as government-funded organizations often recruit international relations grads because of their skills in problem-solving, communication and intercultural awareness and cooperation.
Prestigious NGOs such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Save the Children have participated in IE University’s special careers forum for international relations students, meaning that you’ll have the opportunity to start building your network with these organizations while you study.
Furthermore, individuals with an international relations background can also find work with organizations closer to home or smaller NGOs.
For example, working as a lobbyist in your local or national government will allow you to drive efforts for changes at the legislative level.
The world awaits!
A Master in International Relations equips you with skills and knowledge that you can use in a myriad of ways. Whether you’re aiming for a career in the public, private or non-profit sector, you won’t regret studying such a dynamic, relevant field that offers constant stimulation and countless possibilities.
