International Studies | Career Centre

Have you always seen yourself working in an international career, whether for an organization, a government or a business? Do you want to make a difference on the international stage once out of the classroom and in the real world? The International Studies major will expose you to key issues of debate in today’s international system and society. You will undertake a multidisciplinary approach as you gain understanding of the interaction of politics and policy, law and diplomacy and their influence on contemporary realities. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to study abroad at one of more than fifty educational institutions around the world.

Career Options in International Studies

Below is a sample list of some future choices to explore following studies in International Studies. This list is not exhaustive but it provides a solid idea of what fellow graduates have gone on to do and what potential careers an International Studies degree can offer. Some options are more directly associated with specific areas of International Studies than others.

Author
Activist
Children’s Rights Advocate
Community Worker
Corporate Responsibility Officer
Diplomat
Economist
Editor
Entrepreneur
Foreign Business Advocate
Foreign Service Worker
Fundraising Coordinator
Historian
Human Rights Specialist
Immigration Officer
International Business Advisor
Industrial Relations Consultant
International Aid Director

International Development Worker
Journalist
Judge
Lawyer
Lobbyist
Macroeconomic Financial Analyst
Media Correspondent
Mediator
Paralegal
Politician
Professor
Public Policy Analyst/Strategist
Regional Consultant
Social Justice Commissioner
Social Program Director
Speech Writer
Think Tank Researcher
UN Representative

Some of these career choices may require additional education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential education or professional formative courses and exams. For a more in-depth description of some of the careers mentioned above visit Career Cruising (login information can be found on the home page of the Career Centre's online system) or the National Occupational Classification website.

Skills Developed through an International Studies Degree

A background in International Studies ensures that you develop the skills and mindset to tackle many different professional challenges. Here are just a few of the skills an International Studies degree can help you develop:

Core International Studies Skills

Exposure to an interdisciplinary scholastic approach combining teaching from several fields of study, their relation to contemporary International studies and the interaction of nations, geographic regions and transnational and extra-national networks.
Available as a bilingual or trilingual international Bachelor of Arts, your major can ensure exposure to at least one language aside from English and French.

Communication, Data Gathering and Organizational Skills

The ability to present your thoughts clearly and intelligently in written statements and written opinion pieces
Deduction of information from various sources and the ability to concentrate on relevant resources
The ability to learn new information and apply this to professional demands
The capacity to critically analyze problems, think creatively and make sound decisions while considering different sides of an argument
The ability to explain complex ideas clearly to others and to apply complex theoretical concepts to everyday practice and professional dilemmas

Management and Teamwork

The ability to interpret and analyze information presented by peers and efficiently and constructively support or challenge their proposals, theories, ideas and reports in order to achieve a project’s intended and successful end result
The capacity to lead and interact with a variety of people with different approaches and personal and professional backgrounds
Skills enabling you to work effectively in group situations, partaking in decision-making, leading and contributing in various capacities to the ultimate success of the team and task
The capability to identify priorities and proper courses of action, to plan the execution of tasks and to determine and delegate responsibilities to group members to most effectively carry out projects

Professional Associations and Organizations

Knowing the industry and how to excel in it after receiving a degree are key elements of future success. University study sets up the building blocks you will need to develop and enhance your understanding and knowledge in your career. Being part of a professional organization or network and gaining further insight through training are excellent ways of increasing your knowledge of the field. The following is a selection of organizations related to the field of International Development Studies that you may want to visit as you research career options for International Development Studies graduates.

International Studies Association