A Guide to What You Should Know:

How to Break into

Global Studies
and International
Relations
From alleviating poverty and improving
maternal health to supporting global ties at an
international company, a career in international
relations provides endless opportunities to
benefit societies worldwide.

In today’s globalized world, numerous

organizations, including multinational
corporations, nonprofits, and governments, have
a growing demand for leaders with the skill set
and expertise needed to bring individuals and
communities together.

Whether you’re considering changing careers

or are interested in bringing an international
focus to your current role, let this guide help you
transition into a field with lasting impact.

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Why Earn a Graduate
Degree in Global Studies
and International
Relations?

“A degree in international relations cuts across every

industry,” says Marissa Lombardi, assistant teaching
professor and program director for the Master of Science
in Global Studies and International Relations program at
Northeastern University.

According to Lombardi, there’s a range of different

reasons why someone would be interested in earning a
graduate degree.

“Some students might want to advance their careers

in the international space, while others might have
a targeted idea of what they want to do, like join the
Foreign Service and become a diplomat,” she says.
“Others may want to pivot their career—perhaps
they’re working in higher education but want to have an
international focus.”

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What Is the Expected Job Growth
and Career Demand? i

While there is no one specific job a degree in international

relations can prepare you for, getting an advanced degree
can open the door to a variety of different careers.

» Nonprofits: The nonprofit sector has grown by

more than 20 percent over the last decade, while
the for-profit sector has only grown by two to three
percent. There are more than 1.5 million nonprofits
in the U.S. alone.

» Government: The federal government employs

21.2 million workers—a 200,000 increase over the
past decade.

» Management: Employment of business and financial

roles is expected to grow by eight percent—adding
632,400 new positions—according to the Bureau of
Labor Statistics.

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 » Foreign Service: There are approximately 13,000
employees within the Foreign Service representing
the U.S., with 25 different career paths. Officers and
specialists can represent any embassy, consulate, or
diplomatic mission in the world.

What Can You Do With an

Advanced Degree? a

“At Northeastern, students learn the foundational

concepts they need to have a strong sense of intercultural
competencies and a global mindset,” Lombardi says. “We
help them understand industry conflicts and realities
by teaching them how to stay engaged, be aware of the
landscape, and have a strong understanding that will help
them face global challenges.”

Certain global roles prefer, or even require, an advanced

degree. According to a recent report from Burning Glass
Labor Insight, 57 percent of employers prefer or require
an advanced degree for positions within international
relations, with graduate-level job postings having
increased by 22 percent over the past several years.
Top Skills Needed
to Succeed in
International Relations

Employees in international relations need certain skills to

thrive in their careers, including:

Leadership

Strong leadership and team management skills are

important when directing a team, particularly within
international relations. Knowing how to coach, lead, and
inspire colleagues helps solidify a unified vision and move
goals forward. Teams also work better when members
feel they are making a meaningful contribution.

Ways you can do this include:

» Lead by Example: One of the greatest leadership

challenges is managing change and innovation. Yet
by pushing people to go out of their comfort zone,

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 leaders are more likely to inspire individuals and
guide their organizations to success. To do this, top
leaders must be the first to embrace change and
effectively communicate to their team how to do so.

» Be Decisive: Being decisive is the ability to make

decisions in an effective manner to achieve a desired
result. Almost every situation at hand has a number
of potential solutions, and when it comes time to
making a final decision, particularly under tight
deadlines, a strong leader should be confident in
the outcome. Great leaders do not hesitate when it
comes time to act. It’s also easier to be decisive when
your team shares a common goal. Be firm on your
demands, and don’t back down on your vision.

» Welcome Failure: Failure is a crucial stepping-stone

toward success. While not all decisions result in
a positive outcome, realize this is to be expected,
and know that failure can often lead to a bigger
accomplishment. Take responsibility when issues
arise, and be honest about what went wrong, as well
as how to avoid future dilemmas.

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Communication Skills

Employees within international relations, whether they

are a Foreign Service officer or management consultant,
need excellent written, public speaking, and negotiation
skills to communicate effectively. They also need to be
able to successfully present and debate ideas, and listen
critically. This helps them build and maintain strong
relationships with both individuals and teams.

Employees can become strong communicators by:

» Starting with What’s Important: Start any discussion

with what’s most important at hand, making sure
that your audience understands the context of the
conversation and can follow up with any questions.

» Actively Listening: It’s important not to just talk,

but listen. Active listening helps build rapport and
creates stronger relationships. Be focused on what
people are saying, and take note of their nonverbal
communication, such as eye contact, body
language, and posture.

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 » Providing Constructive Feedback: Criticism doesn’t
have to be negative, and it can have a positive
impact on professional growth. When delivering
feedback, be specific and make sure your tone is
still respectful. Explain why you disagree and how
you would change the situation.

Cross-Cultural Awareness

Our experiences, values, and cultural background

guide our viewpoints and actions. It’s important to be
cognizant that other people have a different perspective
based on their cultural background. People view,
interpret, and evaluate situations in a number of ways.
What is considered appropriate in one culture can be
inappropriate in another. Misunderstandings occur
when one person uses their viewpoint to make sense of
another person’s experiences.

The importance of cross-cultural awareness, therefore,

is significant. Cultural awareness is a skill that can be

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honed—making assignments, business meetings, and
negotiations successful.

The key to successful intercultural awareness is to think

globally. Research and better understand the cultures of
those you are communicating with to ensure that your
audience understands you. Learn about other cultures,
and realize that keeping a multi-cultural perspective is
essential for a job in international relations.

Research Skills

To have a thriving career in international relations, it’s

important to have the ability to thoroughly research and
examine information to make important decisions.

This includes identifying the problem, determining what

resources you need to respond to an issue, compiling and
organizing information efficiently, evaluating the data,
and using your findings to then address the problem.
Employees must be able use their research skills to
address dilemmas and influence others’ opinions.

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Analytical Skills

Analytical skills are a set of techniques used to help

understand problems and work toward effective
solutions. These skills play an important part within many
global roles. Oftentimes, the ability to analyze information
in order to see the bigger picture or trend is important. In
other cases, the ability to deconstruct large pieces of data
in order to identify the smaller details is essential.

Each assignment you encounter has new problems and

challenges, and while your background can help you solve
those problems, your ability to use your analytical skill
set is important. This includes the capacity to critically
analyze information and construct coherent arguments.

One must ask important analytical questions,

investigate data, and develop complex ideas based
on research. Employees within international relations
assess crises, evaluate theories, and solve problems
about societies and cultures.

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Industry ROI

While an advanced degree in international relations

does not lead to a specific career in the same way that
engineering or social work does, there are a variety of
rewarding roles to consider. Popular fields include:

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

With an advanced degree in international relations, you

can work at a multinational corporation in fields such
as economics, human resources, or consulting. Major
employers include PricewaterhouseCoopers, Booz Allen
Hamilton, McKinsey, Bain & Company, Deloitte, and
Boston Consulting Group. Positions include:

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Human Resources Manager

HR managers plan, delegate, Career Outlook

and coordinate the
Average Salary:
administrative functions of $ 106,910
a company, serving as a link
Job Growth by
between an employer’s senior
2026: 9%
leaders and their employees. (BLS, 2017)

Management Analyst

Analysts, also known as Career Outlook

management consultants,
Average Salary:
suggest ways to improve a $ 81,330
company’s efficiency by advising
Job Growth by
managers on how to increase
2024: 14%
profitability through reduced
(BLS, 2015)
costs and higher revenues.

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Economist

Economists analyze the Career Outlook

production and circulation of
Average Salary:
resources, goods, and services $ 101,050
by gathering and studying
Job Growth by
data, researching trends, and
2024: 6%
evaluating economic issues. (BLS, 2015)

FOREIGN SERVICE

Within the U.S., the Foreign

Service has five different Career Outlook
career tracks: consular affairs,
Average Salary:
economic affairs, management $ 80,969
affairs, political affairs, and
Number of Officers
public diplomacy. Foreign Overseas: 13,000
Service officers are diplomats (Glassdoor, 2017
U.S. Department of State, 2017)
who protect American citizens
while advancing U.S. interests
abroad. There are more than
270 embassies, consulates,
and other diplomatic missions
around the world.
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GOVERNMENT

Working in the government positions you to build

communities and organizations that can withstand risk—
including social, political, and economic threats.

Analysts are a popular position for those with advanced

degrees. They work in a variety of programs, projects,
and government agencies. Well-known departments
and roles consist of:

Department of Defense: Defense Analyst

The Department of Defense Career Outlook

provides military forces to
Average Salary:
prevent war and protect U.S. $ 109,770
security. The DoD includes the
Job Growth by
Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and
2024: 30%
Air Force. Defense analysts
(BLS, 2015)
may work in a specific military
branch, reviewing and analyzing information on global and
domestic security threats. Analysts often write detailed
reports that include information from military training,
departmental spending, and financial patterns, making
recommendations based on the results of their findings.
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Central Intelligence Agency:
Intelligence Collection Analyst

The CIA collects, analyzes, Career Outlook

evaluates, and distributes
Average Salary:
foreign intelligence to assist $ 92,940
the U.S. president and senior
Job Growth by
government policymakers in
2024: 18%
making decisions regarding (BLS, 2015)

national security. Intelligence

collection analysts investigate
systems, processes, and policies
to target intelligence problems.

Central Intelligence Agency:

Intelligence Collection Analyst

The NSA is an operations Career Outlook

agency that tracks data
Average Salary:
worldwide to intercept foreign $ 92,600
communications. Intelligence
Job Growth by
analysts conduct research,
2024: 18%
develop strategies, and (BLS, 2015)

analyze foreign intelligence

to produce reports and make
recommendations.
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NONPROFITS

There are numerous career paths within the nonprofit

sector, ranging from non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) to service-oriented charities and advocacy
groups. Organizations can range from less than 10
people to thousands of employees. Established
organizations include:

» United Nations: The UN promotes international

collaboration by improving relations between nations
and providing economic aid worldwide.

» International Monetary Fund: The IMF reduces

poverty around the world by emphasizing financial
literacy, international trade, and sustainable
economic growth.

» World Bank Group: The World Bank Group

provides loans to developing countries and offers
additional help through policy guidance, research,
and technical support.

Nonprofit positions include:

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Policy Analyst

Analysts, also known as policy Career Outlook

scientists, try to change, adjust,
Average Salary:
or implement new public $ 114,290
policies, regulations, and
Number of Jobs:
laws. They often work in non-
6,200
governmental organizations, (BLS, 2015)

which extensively lobby for

policy adjustments.

Executive Director

Directors create strategies Career Outlook

and policies to meet an
Average Salary:
organization’s goals. They often $ 103,950
plan, manage, and coordinate
Job Growth by
nonprofit operations.
2024: 6%

(BLS, 2015)

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Communications Manager

Managers develop print Career Outlook

and visual communications
Average Salary:
materials to enhance their $ 127,560
organizational branding.
Job Growth by
2026: 9%
(BLS, 2017)

Development Director

Directors establish fundraising Career Outlook

goals, identify potential donors
Average Salary:
and additional sources of $ 107,320
funding, and plan outreach
Job Growth by
campaigns to solicit donations.
2024: 7%

(BLS, 2015)

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Program Manager

Managers direct a team Career Outlook

that designs programs for
Average Salary:
their organization, making $ 116,090
sure to align with the
Job Growth: 7%
nonprofit’s mission and
support long-term goals. (BLS, 2013 and 2015)

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

International education enhances learning, promotes

understanding among groups from diverse backgrounds
and perspectives, and helps develop globally minded
individuals. In fact, the number of students earning a
college degree outside of their home countries has tripled
over the past 25 years. Currently, there are over one
million international college students in the U.S., with
foreign students contributing more than $35 billion to
the U.S. economy. Industry roles include:

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Director of International Programs

Directors guide all aspects Career Outlook

of a college or university’s
Average Salary:
international programs, $ 90,553
including study abroad and
Job Growth by
foreign exchange programs,
2024: 9%
the international admissions (Glassdoor, 2017 | BLS, 2015)

process, and English language

programs. They also develop
strategies to attract and retain
students and faculty.

Dean

Deans direct faculty and Career Outlook

staff, support research
Average Salary:
proposals, assist with $ 90,760
fundraising, and implement
Job Growth by
long-term strategic goals
2024: 9% (BLS, 2015)
within international education.

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Professor

Professors teach at the college Career Outlook

or university level, instructing
Average Salary:
students, conducting research, $ 75,420
and publishing scholarly papers,
Job Growth by
journal articles, and books.
2024: 13%
(BLS, 2015)

The number of students earning

a college degree outside of their
home countries has tripled over
the past 25 years.
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How an Advanced
Degree Can Impact
Your Career

Considering a graduate degree in international

relations? Here is how an advanced degree
transformed these alumni’s careers.

“ Yue Huang, M.S. ’16

Coming to Northeastern was a great decision. I met so many
incredible people from all over the world and amazing
professors with impressive backgrounds. My degree helped me
to improve myself, become a global citizen, and work in a truly
international environment.

“ Jonathan Hoogendoorn, M.S. ’16

I had a passion for cultures, particularly international
development. Then I came across Northeastern and it perfectly
fit my needs. When I started the program, I didn’t understand
the relationship between business consulting, investment, and
international affairs. My studies really showed me that it’s a
vital piece of what we would call ‘international relations.’

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A degree in international relations equips you
with a global outlook. It fosters international
engagement, promotes global perspectives, and
helps you create a more unified world.

Need help realizing your

vision?
To learn more about the Northeastern experience,
including its Master of Science in Global Studies
and International Relations program, visit
northeastern.edu/graduate or connect with our
team to receive personalized advice.

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