What can I do with a B.A. in International Affairs?

Eastern WashingtonUniversityInternational Affairs Program

A bachelor's degree in International Affairs can lead to exciting careers in international, national, federal, state, and local governments; law; business; international organizations; nonprofit associations and organizations; campaign management and polling; journalism; precollegiate education; electoral politics; research, and university and college teaching.

International Affairs majors gain foreign language skills, analytical skills, administrative competence, and communication abilities that are valued in a wide spectrum of potential career areas.

ExampleJobs - International Affairs and Government/Political Science majors:

Activist, Advocate/Organizer
Administration, Corporate, Government, Non-Profit, etc.
Archivist, Online Political Data
Budget Examiner or Analyst
Attorney
Banking Analyst or Executive
Campaign Operative
Career Counselor
CIA Analyst or Agent
City Planner
City Housing Administrator
Congressional Office/Committee Staffer
Coordinator of Federalor State Aid
Communications Director
CorporateAnalyst
Corporate Public Affairs Advisor
Corporate Economist
Corporate Manager
Corporate Information Analyst
Corporate Adviser for Govt'l. Relations
Corporate Executive
Corporation Legislative Issues Manager
Customs Officer
Editor, Online Political Journal
Entrepreneur
Federal Government Analyst
Financial Consultant
Foreign Service Officer
Foundation President
Free-lance writer / High School Government Teacher
Immigration Officer
Information Manager
Intelligence Officer
International Agency Officer
International Research Specialist
Issues Analyst, Corporate Social Policy Div.
Journalist
Juvenile Justice Specialist
Labor Relations Specialist
Legislative Analyst / Coordinator
Lobbyist
Management Analyst
Mediator
Plans and Review Officer, USIA
Policy Analyst
Political Commentator
Pollster
Public Affairs Research Analyst
Public Opinion Analyst
Publisher
Research Analyst
State Legislator
Survey Analyst
Systems Analyst
Teacher
University Administrator
University Professor
Urban Policy Planner
Web Content Editor

Usually there are two main routes to these jobs and the careers of which they are a part: either they do not require a graduate-level degree, or they do.

Non-graduate degree options include the following:

I.Work for the Federal Government

(choose USAJOBS on menu; includes resume-builder & -posting options)

Advantages: thorough on-the-job training, steady employment (depending on admin.), clear advancement procedures

Disadvantages: lower pay (compared to business), nature of job may change with change in U.S. executive’s administration; bureaucratic work can be routine

Entry-level positions with government agencies (IRS)

Other positions often requiring extensive examination process:

  • CIA – domestic and international intelligence
  • FBI – domestic intelligence
  • Foreign Service - – supports US foreign policy mission from locations throughout the world
  • Civil Service – supports US foreign policy mission from D.C.

II.Private-sector jobs (may or may not require a graduate-level degree)

Advantages: often higher-paid positions than others; can be exciting and constantly changing, depending on industry

Disadvantages: you may start out at low-level positions; employment usually less secure than public sector

For more on the careers you can obtain with an IAP or Government major, see the publication by the American Political Science Association (APSA), Careers and the Study of Political Science. Order online at

Graduate degree programs most often pursued by IA and Government majors

I.Masters in Business Administration (MBA)

Advantages: good place for business networking; MBA’s can make a lot of money

Disadvantages: Business school can be limiting in terms of life experience; expensive programs

II.Masters in Public Administration (MPA)

Advantages: good place for public-policy networking; can lead directly to employment

Disadvantages: Public Admin. programs can be limiting in terms of life experience; often not as expensive as MBA programs, but it is graduate school

III.Juris Doctor (JD)/LawSchool

Advantages: good place for legal networking; can lead directly to employment

Disadvantages: law school programs can be limiting in terms of life experience; not as expensive as MBA programs, but it’s grad. school; competitive atmosphere; law as a profession is rather vulnerable to economic turns

IV.International Programs

Masters in International Affairs (MIA)

Language requirements/acquisition required

Foreign working or education experience desirable

  • Political Science (terminal Ph.D.)

Application process

Interview process (if necessary)

Financial aid/assistantships

MA exams/theses

Comprehensive/Candidate exams & defense

Dissertation proposal defense

Dissertation research – aid

Dissertation writing

Dissertation defense

III.Work Overseas

Finally, there is the option of working overseas, regardless of whether you go to grad. school. Here are some Web sites that may be useful to pursuing this option:

Peace Corps –

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

JET Program – one- to three-year stints teaching English in Japan

There’s even a JET alumni association, at

For more on working overseas, see

“Finding Nonacademic Work Overseas”, The Chronicle of Higher Education,

USEFUL CAREER WEB SITES FOR IAP MAJORS:

For more information about careers in International Affairs as well as Government/Political Science, see

See also the document, “Online Resources for Jobs in International Affairs and Government/Political Science,”posted on the EWU International Affairs Program Web Page,