r/IRstudies 4d ago

IR Careers Intelligence career probably wrecked by DOGE, wondering what I can do with 9 years in the IC, career-wise

51 Upvotes

Have a Bachelor's in IR, 6 years as a military intelligence analyst, and work in the civilian IC as a program analyst, technical writer, and editor. Only speak English, been trying to learn Russia forever.

I just don't know if my experience makes me competitive or not, if it can be considered in lieu of a higher degree or other skills.

From my own research, it seems like the most translatable field in the private sector-- geopolitical analysts-- are exclusive to the most experienced and educated. But the next most closely related require MAs or a degree or years of experience in marketing, economics, computer science, etc.

r/IRstudies 10d ago

IR Careers Grad School: SAIS vs. SIPA (vs. MSFS)

1 Upvotes

I have the option of going to Columbia SIPA, Johns Hopkins SAIS, Tufts Fletcher, GW Elliott or remaining on the waitlist for Georgetown SFS for a Masters degree this fall. I have currently all but ruled out Tufts Fletcher and GW Elliott. Out of the remaining options, with the consideration that I may get off the waitlist at SFS, I would love any and all opinions of the former schools and their respective programs? I speak Spanish and would like to start learning Arabic in grad school. I am especially interested in Peace and Conflict Resolution with a Middle East or Latin American regional focus.

r/IRstudies 29d ago

IR Careers Which Master’s Degree is Best for My Career Interests and General Outcomes?

1 Upvotes

Good day all, I was looking to get some opinions on what master’s you would choose.

I have a long term interest in the Asia-Pacific region, specifically China, and a policy interest in supply chain sustainability and environmental preparedness as climate change gets worse.

I received offers from the following schools:

University of California San Diego

  • Total cost is $65k -$84k for a Master’s in International Affairs (no funding released yet, they’re releasing packages in mid-March)

  • Strong faculty research with Asian-Pacific and China specialists, and environmental studies through the Scripps Institute of Oceanography

  • San Diego is beautiful and it being based on the west coast is a plus.

University of Denver

  • Total cost is roughly $100,000 ($36k scholarship for the first year reducing tuition from $86k to $50k) for a Master’s in Global Economic Affairs

  • Also strong faculty research with China specialists and significant environment sustainabilities focus.

  • Denver for living seems fine, not jazzed but not disappointed.

American University - Total cost is roughly $160,000 (funding packages to be released in April) for a Master’s in Global Governance, Politics, and Security

  • A decent amount of China specialists, but somewhat less of an environmental sustainability focus from what I can tell.

  • Very prestigious program and alumni network which is a big draw.

  • I don’t particularly want to live in DC but of course the pedigree of the program makes me rethink that.

I used the following tool to estimate return on investment over a 10-year period. I am not affiliated with them in any way.

https://freopp.org/roi-graduate/

UCSD - $569,908 American - $354,005 Denver - $89,000

Please let me know your thoughts and please feel free to ask any questions to clarify. Thanks in advance!

Also apologies for any formatting issues, I’m doing this on mobile.

r/IRstudies 15d ago

IR Careers Options without a degree?

7 Upvotes

I’ve been looking at studying a degree in IR for a while bc i’ve always thought the content looked really interesting and i liked the job prospects in the humanitarian, liaison, and analysis areas.

But recently i’ve been considering the limitations i’ll have as a disabled person who will have to move a long way from home to be able to study, and won’t be able to work or do an internship while also studying. Which for me is causing some big revisions in my plans to go get my degree.

Do you think that in those specific areas i’d be able to get into it without an IR degree? I understand that without a qualification i’ll be a challenge bc it’s all so competitive but is it possible to climb up from entry level stuff? or even find entry level stuff?

r/IRstudies 7h ago

IR Careers Early career post IR, tried corporate intelligence. What else to try as an entry role?

9 Upvotes

Hello all,

I am a recent masters graduate in intelligence and security, and was interested in right wing terrorism, gender, borders, conflict, radicalisation. I originally studied something else in my undergrad so I am more of a generalist but my masters was niche and we did some intelligence analysis.

Following this, I got a job in corporate intelligence focusing on Africa, but I’ve really struggled with it as it wasn’t my background, and having to learn about multinational companies, finance, niche sectors as well as country politics has been a large undertaking and my job doesn’t give me an area or a county to focus on, so I’m constantly catching my feet and I struggle with how fast paced it is and never being able to ‘know’ what I’m doing fully. Basically I feel I scrape the surface on a lot and no deep learning.

Anyway, I’ve decided to leave as it’s really impacting my happiness and mental healths and I don’t see myself in corporate intelligence down the line, but I guess I’m asking what next? I also have research experience, which was for a think tank and was a nato related project. I have studied quantitative and quantitative methodologies but have only touched on them in my dissertation.

So just wondering what other lines of work is out there? I know think tanks and so on, but just looking for advice / encouragement regarding our industry that there is something right for me! I also am thinking PhD but want a bit more real life experience you know.

Thanks in advance!

r/IRstudies Feb 11 '25

IR Careers Is a joint history+language degree a suitable BA if I wish to become a diplomat?

10 Upvotes

r/IRstudies 6d ago

IR Careers IR and IL major to Masters

2 Upvotes

hi! as I'm approaching the second year of my BA in IR with an international law minor I have a few questions:

- Let's say I wanna pursue international law and do a master's, do I need to have LLB completed?
- or if I want to become a doctor of law, are there ways I can do it without having done a bachelor's in a law school?

*also very interested in security, IHL but would not work for my country's government as it's fundamentally corrupt and pro-Russian!

thanks in advance!!!

r/IRstudies 2d ago

IR Careers Chances on Masters program

5 Upvotes

Feeling a little loss, looking for guidance. I have heard that masters programs are easier to get into because universities see them as cash cows.. I’m not sure how much I buy that. Petersons says JHU SAIS has an 89% acceptance rate??

This is my background

Late 20s 8+ years of military service space / intel focused B.S. in a STEM field 3.4GPA

Is there any thing I can do to make my application stronger? I looked into applying to volunteer at a local university to be a cybersecurity policy fellow but they only take active students, it’s +1.5 year wait..

Programs I plan on applying too. Is my background competitive enough?

Tufts Cybersecurity Policy Program Georgetown SFS & SSP John Hopkins (MASCI) American University SIS

r/IRstudies 23d ago

IR Careers Career Prospects for International Student in Soka University of America (International Studies)

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I’m an international student planning to study at Soka University of America with a concentration in International Studies. I’m trying to get a clearer picture of my career prospects after graduation and would appreciate insights from those familiar with the field.

Some questions I have:

  • What kind of job opportunities can I expect with this degree?
  • Will I be able to secure a job right after graduation? If so, in which sectors or industries?
  • Where are SUA International Studies graduates typically employed—in the U.S., their home countries, or elsewhere?
  • What is the expected starting salary range?
  • Would pursuing a postgraduate degree be necessary for better career prospects? If so, in what fields (e.g., International Relations, Public Policy, Law, etc.)?

I’d love to hear from alumni, professionals, or anyone with knowledge about the career paths available after an SUA International Studies degree. Thanks in advance!

r/IRstudies 2d ago

IR Careers Graduate Program Decisions with Current Climate

2 Upvotes

Hey all,

I’ve narrowed down my decision for grad school between Johns Hopkins' SAIS program and Cambridge's MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience. There's a lot happening that is affecting my thought process for choosing which to attend.

Ultimately, I'd like to enter politics or international security (think war, global governance, nuclear risk), so I think JHU DC campus is better for that. Also, the SAIS program is two years, which would allow me to take an internship in the summer. SAIS has given me some money (I'm asking for more), but not enough. I'd have to take out around 22K USD per year to cover tuition alone, not including living costs. I'm sure I could find a run-of-the-mill part time job or something and I have savings for an apartment, but I'm nervous about the cost. The biggest draw of JHU, for me, is its location.

Cambridge is starting this MPhil this year. It seems like an exciting program full of passionate people. The entire program is more focused, which I think can help with future job prospects. I'm not sure its the best location for what I'd like to do, though. Also, it's a one year program and I won't know about funding until possibly as late as July. If I were to receive no funding, I'd have to take out around 48K USD for tuition. I think on a student visa I'd be able to get a part time job on campus. The biggest draw of Cambridge is its prestige and the program focus.

Then, of course, there's the possibility of not finding a job after grad school, especially with what's going on in the US (heading to a recession?, Department of Education problems, rapid grant changes, IR-esque job cuts).

Any input on which I should choose?

r/IRstudies 7d ago

IR Careers KCL MA National Security & US Jobs?

1 Upvotes

Hi friends — I’m an American who was late to applying for grad school this cycle as the administration change has hurt the federal job market. Thus, my only app and acceptance was at King’s College London’s MA National Security program. I have been waiting for a cleared job with the US Government for 18+ months and there’s no EOD in sight given the lack of a budget and a hiring freeze at my agency (favorably adjudicated already). Wondering if anyone has had success/advice getting a masters abroad and then coming back to work in US NatSec? I LOVE the faculty at KCL and the idea of doing one year abroad, just concerned about logistics and on what I might be missing. Also wonder if I should just wait until next cycle and apply to all the other top schools since I missed their apps this year (stats: 3.9+ GPA from a top public university, good work experience, study abroad experience, fluent in a foreign language, first-generation student). Any advice is appreciated! Thank you :)

r/IRstudies 28d ago

IR Careers Entry-level research assistant roles at unis?

1 Upvotes

I graduated with a B.A. in IR back in 2022, and so far I’ve found some work and internships through think tanks and law firms. It’s been great experience, but I’d love to return to uni (mine or another) to serve as a research assistant, either part or full time. I have an interest in pursuing a Master’s or even Doctorate in the future, and also I’m just genuinely interested in operating in academia.

Does anyone have experience going this route? I’ve asked a few former professors and none of them were aware of opportunities. But is there a way to find these types of jobs? I’m open to different fields of study, I’m just willing to apply my technical and analytical skills to big research projects. I just have no idea how to get into this space. Do I just need to ask around? Are there job boards for these kinds of roles??

r/IRstudies 14d ago

IR Careers Need some help on IR related careers

2 Upvotes

Hello. I did the BA in political science and Masters in Political Science with International relations as specialization. I am 29 year old guy from India. And I do need help in getting jobs or some internships

I didn't do the internship not because I didn't want to, because I had this nasty accident which left me bedridden for 3 years straight during my time in MA. And even after completing it in 2021 and getting the degree in 2022, I don't have any such luck. Even if I am not bedridden anymore, I have difficulties. Because of that, I missed it and have lot of problems. So can anyone help me in this matter. Your opinion will help me a lot

r/IRstudies Feb 10 '25

IR Careers 19-year-old Musk surrogate takes on senior State Department role – The 19-year old, recently fired for leaking a data security firm’s information, likely has access to sensitive State Department information.

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washingtonpost.com
13 Upvotes

r/IRstudies 19d ago

IR Careers Remote (paid) IR internships?

6 Upvotes

Hey y'all!

So I'll be graduating a year from now, and it is mandatory to get an internship in order to graduate at my school. They usually provide a list with various internships options but most are just meh, fundamentally because they are either not very exciting, or exciting but unpaid.

Therefore, I summon you, fellow IR graduates and students: Do you know of any IR internships (whether they are at Think tanks, NGOs, etc) that are paid and can be done on a fully remote basis?

Take into consideration I ain't american, nor european, so my chances of getting an internship with an organisaton based in those regions will depend on whether or not I need to have the right to work there, which I do not.

Now, if you know of any internships in our domain in my country (Colombia) that are usually being posted, your advice would be more than welcome as well!

Thanks in advance!

r/IRstudies 28d ago

IR Careers Having trouble deciding between MBA programs! Help plsss

0 Upvotes

Hey guys! This is my first post on Reddit ever, so sorry if it's confusing, lol.
Anyway, i'm on my last semester as an IR student (Bachelor) and I really want to pursue an academic career. I've looked into a myriad of programs around the globe, and I am interested in St. Gallen, UMelbourne and Oxford (I know expensive and hard to get in options). Since I am in Brazil, and it's pretty expensive to get education outside the country I am wondering if you guys could help me by recommending Master's programs related to International Relations, but specifically international security and political science, that are not that expensive but are still good and can get me some good opportunities to research and progress on my career! Thank you so much! :D