Introduction to International Affairs
A career in international affairs can be fueled by a passion to travel and a desire to learn about our global environment, effectuate change, and make a difference in the world. As an interdisciplinary field at Wellesley, the international affairs major exposes students to an array of perspectives and analytical methodologies that equip them to enter a workforce in a broad range of organizations and experiences. The work in international affairs can truly change the world; however, it is important to focus on the small steps that will maximize your success and lead you to a fruitful career in international affairs.
Learn About Careers in Public Health
Public health is a wide ranging, interdisciplinary pathway with the goals of protecting and improving the health of individuals, families, communities, and populations at local and global levels.
Graduate School in International Affairs, Political Science, Policy, etc
This resource covers:
Masters Degrees
- Master in Public Policy (MPP),
- Master of Public Administration (MPA),
- Master of International Affairs/Relations/Foreign Policy/Foreign Service,
- Master of Security Studies/National Security
- Master of Political Science
Joint Degrees
- JD/MPP, JD/MPA
- MBA/MPP, MBA/MPA
PhD in Political Science/Government/Politics or PhD in Public Policy
Getting Started in Politics, Advocacy, Government at the Local & National Levels
Local and state government offers students a great opportunity to see how agencies and legislation work on a smaller scale. For students passionate about their state or a particular issue, state politics is a wonderful place to get started! Below, I highlight a few ways to get involved in politics at the local (including at Wellesley!) and state level. In terms of gaining experience at the national level in US politics and policy, DC is the place to go. This document will address finding a range of internships in DC as well tips for networking. We’ll start with the three branches of government, briefly address other government agencies, move to international organizations, and finish with think tanks and nonprofits. For students interested in international affairs and government, intern and/or study abroad to demonstrate your regional expertise and intercultural communication and adaptability skills.
Private Sector: Consulting (Political, Management, International, Defense) and Government Relations
This resource is an overview of:
- Political consulting: firms who are hired by individuals, political groups, and campaigns to help run political campaigns
- Management consulting & Strategic Advisory: in this document, this term refers to firms that focus on consulting as it relates to government and international affairs interests and aerospace and defense contracting
- Government relations: the sector of an organization that focuses on public policy and advocacy.
Study Abroad: Government, International Affairs, Law, & Public Policy Careers
Students interested in careers in government, law, international affairs, and public policy are encouraged to focus on skill development and experience. This is especially important as employers, and graduate programs in this space continue to look for commitment to understanding these industries. Below please find suggested study abroad experiences that help develop specific skills and experiences to help be competitive in these industries.
Job Shadowing
What better way to learn about a particular career path, industry, company, or role than experiencing it yourself? If you want to learn more about a specific path before committing to an internship or job, consider “shadowing” an individual who currently works in the field as a way to experience a typical workday in that career.
How to Use a Career Fair as an Exploration Opportunity
Career fairs are a great opportunity to explore and learn more about professional paths and opportunities and to practice networking. By attending a career fair, you’re able to speak with representatives from multiple organizations during one event. In your conversations, you will be able to learn about each organization — its values, work culture...etc. — and the types of opportunities they typically hire for.
Informational Interviews
Informational interviews are a common way to gather information about various careers by speaking with professionals in the field. Through informational interviews, your can explore career paths and job opportunities, as well as gain advice and insight into career industries and companies.
“A strong Davis Projects for Peace proposal is always one that is grounded in a real knowledge of and investment in a community, providing a foundation that gives the student both inspiration and credibility as she strives to make real change.”
“Throughout my four years at Wellesley, I have come to understand that a deeper understanding of China’s role in global issues is crucial to foster cooperation globally.”
How to Conduct Career Research
Regardless of where you are in your career — whether you are unsure where to begin or you are preparing for a final round interview — conducting research can help you learn more about and prepare for potential career opportunities. There are many ways to gather information when you’re in the beginning stages of exploring your options, including career research and networking. In this resource, you’ll find ideas and general resources to get started.
Leverage Your Experience Abroad
Co-authored by Wellesley Career Education and the Wellesley Office of International Study.
This resource provides tips to help you leverage your study abroad experience upon your return.
Maximize Your Experience Abroad
This resource was co-authored by Wellesley Career Education and the Wellesley Office of International Study.
Learn how to maximize your study abroad experience by connecting to the Wellesley network, exploring beyond the classroom, and reflecting on your experience.
Thinking of Study Abroad?
This resource was co-authored by Wellesley Career Education and the Wellesley Office of International Study.
While it is easy to see the academic benefits of study abroad, it is also important to identify its career benefits. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has a list of competencies that contribute to the career readiness of today’s college graduates. Global/intercultural fluency was one of the marketable competencies on the list. Furthermore, in a NACE survey, employers identified their top four competencies: critical thinking/problem solving, professionalism/work ethic, teamwork, and communications skills. The great news is that you could develop all of these skills as part of your study abroad experience.
The Wellesley Hive Mentee Resource: What is Mentorship?
The Wellesley Hive is a flexible, interactive virtual space for professional networking and mentorship. Whether you are a student or an alumnae (at any career stage), the the Hive is a platform to connect with the mentors in the Wellesley network. This resource is an overview of how to use the Hive to find short-term or long-term mentorship, informational interviews, job shadowing, and more.
Michel David-Weill Scholarship (seniors)
Supports a two-year master’s degree in any field at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po), but Economics is especially encouraged. Eligible are graduating seniors at Wellesley who are US citizens. Campus application deadline typically in November.
Carnegie Junior Fellows Program (seniors & graduates)
The James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program supports a year's work at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, DC. Eligible are graduating seniors and recent graduates who are eligible to work in the US for a year. Campus application deadline typically in November.
Boren Awards (students)
Supports study abroad of less-commonly-taught languages in world regions critical to US interests, and underrepresented in study abroad. Study abroad programs of a year are preferred, but a spring plus summer can be a good option and summer programs will be considered for students majoring in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Eligible for the Scholarship are Wellesley first years, sophomores, and juniors who are US citizens, and Wellesley seniors who are also applying for U.S.-based graduate programs might apply for the Fellowship. Campus application deadline typically in January.
Wellesley students should seek advice about appropriate study abroad programs from the Office of International Study, although the Fellowships office is happy to offer advice on Boren Scholarship applications.
“In the past year I’ve spent a lot of time thinking, talking, and journaling about my career, values, and interests. The courage to see if different doors would open for me, to reach out to people and ask for their time and wisdom, was sometimes hard to come by, but my curiosity pushed me to do things that were slightly uncomfortable, and the results were worth it.”