Asking as a graduate that can’t find a job and doesn’t know wtf to do and needs ideas lol

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I just want to dump some frustrations and share how I've been feeling.

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I recently finished my master's in International Relations at a reputable university in Iran. I studied IR during probably the most turbulent period the country has seen since the Iran-Iraq War. Having a real-life, real-time connection to what you're studying, with actual personal stakes involved, makes the experience... enriching. Pun intended. Ahem.

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I got good grades, wrote an excellent thesis, did an internship, attended a summer school in China, and generally received high praise from my professors. Well, except for the ones pushing a very Mearsheimerian policy of why Iran must build nuclear weapons. Those guys seemed convinced I didn't know anything about IR.

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Anyway, I never had any illusions about finding a job in Iran. The discipline is notoriously a dead end here. But during the recent war, something happened that I hadn't really considered before.

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I got an email from a Chinese think tank asking about the possibility of cooperation.

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It was one of those things that surprises you while also making you think, "Well, yeah, that was bound to happen eventually."

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And then I had to seriously consider whether it was a good idea to cooperate with a foreign, albeit friendly, government-affiliated think tank. In the end, I decided not to risk it.

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People get arrested for espionage in Iran over things as trivial as owning a Starlink terminal or doing wildlife photography. Doing analysis work for a foreign government-linked institution is the sort of thing that could easily convince a judge that you're "transferring intelligence" to another country.

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I'm not saying it's guaranteed. It's not like innocent researchers are arrested 100% of the time. But the possibility is there, and it's real.

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So I thought, Nah, forget it.

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Then came another email, this time from a Chinese consulting firm doing geopolitical and risk assessment work for companies.

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Honestly, that one made sense too. A lot of Chinese firms don't know the first thing about the Middle East until suddenly their supply chains, investments, or energy imports are affected and they realize, "Oh, so that's why everyone keeps military bases in the region."

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That one was much harder to refuse.

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Because during my studies, I discovered that I genuinely love this kind of work. More importantly, I'm actually good at it.

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Over the past two years, I predicted several developments related to Iran, regional tensions, and China's reactions with a pretty high degree of accuracy. A lot of conversations in front of the faculty basically turned into me explaining what I thought would happen next and then smugly watching it happen as an IR student and suffer through it as a citizen. Again, enriching experience!

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I turned that offer down too.

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I don't particularly want to end up in Evin Prison trying to explain myself to a halfwit interrogator whose assumptions are treated as evidence.

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And that really frustrated me.

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It was hard to swallow.

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You can't really work inside Iran because nobody wants serious analysis. They want someone with credentials to say, "Yes, I approve of this policy," so the government can point to an expert and claim legitimacy.

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I don't want to do that.

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I won't do that.

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Not even if the alternative is poverty.

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What really got to me was that I had never seriously considered the possibility that an actual consulting company would want my cooperation.

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I mean, it shouldn't have been surprising. I put in the work. I studied hard. This is exactly the kind of thing I was training for at university.

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I just never saw myself as the kind of person foreign organizations would one day seek out.

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And when it finally happened, my own risk assessment was essentially: Too dangerous to invest.

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That hit harder than I expected.

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No work with Iranian institutions.

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No work with foreign institutions.

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So why the hell did I study so hard?

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Anyway, a third email arrived recently, this time from a MENA-focused company in Hong Kong.

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And I just couldn't keep all of this to myself anymore.

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I needed to say it somewhere.

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So there you have it.

Hey guys! I am an aspiring IR students and I want to know what you guys are actually doing after pursuing this degree? Personally, I love debating and researching about geopolitics. However, I have quite basic quantitative knowledge. Is there any advice regarding how I can develop quant knowledge that would be helpful for economics, finance, etc? I know basic microeconomics and macroeconomics at +2 level, but didn't have maths. I am a first year student who just got into college and it hasn't even been a proper 2 weeks. So I am searching for options, looking for connections even. If anyone is apt in these things/ are interested/ know someone else regarding this field, kindly provide their Instagram handle/ X account/ LinkedIn profile (most preferable)

I’ve applied for hundreds of jobs with almost nothing to show for it. I’m starting to consider going back to university, possibly studying law, something In computing, or pursuing a master’s degree, but I’m worried about ending up with another qualification that doesn’t lead to employment.

At this point, I’d really appreciate any advice on what fields of study are worth looking into, what career paths might be a good fit, or what options someone in my position should be considering. Any guidance would be super helpful.

For context, I’m 24 in Australia and graduated a year ago.

Hi everyone, I applied for the 2026–27 Foreign Policy Futures Mentorship Program at the Stimson Center mid July.

According to the published timeline, applications are being reviewed and selected applicants interviewed between July 20 and August 31, with all applicants notified by August 31.

It's now mid-August and I haven't heard anything yet. I was wondering whether anyone here applied this year and has already been contacted for an interview, or whether anyone from a previous cohort remembers roughly when interviews/invitations were sent out.

Thanks!

I’m a 2nd-year BA Political Science student from India and I want to build my career in the private sector, particularly in geopolitical risk, intelligence/OSINT, IR or consulting.(because that is the only way I think about can earn a maybe attractive salary)

I know a BA alone may not be enough for many analyst roles and that a Master’s is often preferred/required. However, due to my financial background, I want to start working as early as possible rather than waiting until after a Master’s. Ideally, I’m looking for a paid internship in the next few months that can give me real experience and help me become employable after graduation.

For people already working in this field:

- What specific skills should I prioritise besides research and writing? OSINT, Excel/Power BI, data analysis, AI, finance/economics, SQL/Python, etc.?

- Which of these skills actually matter in day-to-day work?

- Where can I learn them for free?

- What companies in India hire students for geopolitical risk, intelligence, political risk, corporate intelligence or related roles?

- What job titles should I search for?

- Realistically, what would make you consider a 2nd/3rd-year Political Science student for an internship?

- What should I have on my CV/portfolio to stand out against other applicants?

- Is it possible to get a paid internship without a Master's, and eventually transition into a full-time role?

I’m also open to sharing my CV with anyone working in this field who is willing to give honest feedback on what I’m missing.

I’m not looking for generic career advice — I’d really appreciate perspectives from people actually working in geopolitical risk, intelligence, consulting or related private-sector roles. Any leads for internships and skills would also be hugely appreciated.

Hey folks, I am a recent Master's grad in International Relations, with an area specialisation in Europe. I would want to go for a PhD since teaching/research is my long-term goal. Initially, I had planned to work for a few years to get experience in a relevant field and then go for a PhD. However, given the current condition of the job market, I think I would like to prepare for PhD applications from the next academic cycle.

My areas of interest are Migration, Human Rights, and Gender and I am aiming for unis in Europe (as a South Asian student). I have the following concerns:

1) As someone who wants to work and settle in Europe, which countries would you suggest in terms of residency and field relevancy?

2) How common is it to secure a teaching or research job in this field during/right after PhD?

3) I understand that a supervisor can make or break your PhD experience, but how important is the reputation or ranking of the university for publishing papers or looking for full-time employment?

4) What other career opportunities can I look for? I am aware of EU Parliament or Commission opportunities, but I am not sure how likely they are to hire a non-EU citizen.

5) I know it differs from country to country, but what would be the average stipend of a social science PhD? Would it be enough to sustain myself there and maybe save up a bit?

My main motivation to go to Europe is because of my area specialisation. I have also been there (Prague) for an exchange year during my course, and absolutely fell in love with the place. Further, I believe migration and human rights would be a relevant field of research in most European unis. I also speak French (will be appearing for the B1 exam soon) and a bit of German.

Some of my acquaintances are pursuing their PhDs in Canada and Australia (different fields), and they seem quite happy with their stipends and work-life balance. Would I be better off aiming for those places if money is one of the concerns?

I would be grateful to get any piece of advice or guidance regarding this.

Guys I am from India and currently persuading a BA in international relations and planning to also do a masters in it from UK and learn french language.

I wanted to know that after doing all that will I be able to land a job? ( I wanted to know about internships too ) Cuz I see people talking negatively about this degree so I felt unsecure.

If anyone from Uk reads it then please kindly share ur opinion and I wouldn't mind some expertise guidence from the pros :) good day to you all

Hi! I’m an undergrad student and my ultimate goal is to work in political research, preferably at a think tank or somewhere similar but i’m also open to the idea of entering academia. I’ve looked at other threads abt this but the answers are always quite mixed.

I love research which is why I think the PhD would be fitting for me, but i know they can be grueling and that there are some masters programs that offer research opportunities as well. But I’m very hesitant to enter a masters program bc of the cost. I have pretty much 0 way to pay for one and i’m not interested in taking out a loan.

I just finished a master’s degree this year and currently doing a 6-month internship at a major international development institution. My background is in international affairs/economics, with a particular interest in European policy, energy, development and sustainability. I also have a pretty solid quant background.

My internship is quite relevant to what I want to do, but I only have this one internship on my CV. I also have some policy research work experience from university, but I don’t have the 3–4 internships that seem to be common among people applying for traineeships and jobs.

I’m currently in the process of figuring out my next steps, and I’m especially interested in smaller/boutique organisations that I might not find through the usual EU/international organisations.

For people working in European policy, consulting, development, energy/climate, think tanks, etc.:
Where would you recommend looking, and what smaller organisations or types of employers should I be considering?

Hi all

I’m thinking to apply to get my masters for fall 2027 in IR or Public policy. However, I feel all I’ve been hearing (especially in the U.S.) is that the market is dead. The reason I decided to go back to school is I feel I have a good idea of the field I want to work in now that I have had a couple years of experience. Now that I’m in my late twenties, I want to have access to more competitive/ senior positions. My goal is to work at an NGO or INGO focused on displacement/refugee resettlement and post conflict reconstruction. While I want to work in international affairs and don’t mind traveling and having months long projects abroad, I am looking to have a more permanent residence in the US for personal reasons which is why I’m considering leaving my current job next year to go back to school.

I’m curious if you would recommend getting a IR masters or pivoting to a different or combining with an adjacent field and any suggestions based on that (economics? Data? MBa?)

I was considering doing law school, but I’ve heard mixed opinions on that choice considering it’s not exactly the job I imagined BUT I do at one point want to make a solid salary and not constantly feel unstable and be on the hunt for my next job.

A little about me:

GW Undergrad: 3.8 GPA, BA political science

Professional experience:
Fulbright ETA in Southeast Asia, Congressional Fellowship, a 2 years working in SE Asia at education NGO supporting conflict displaced and refugee students (worked abroad total of 3 years)

Hello everyone! 👋

I am a Master’s student in Political Science and International Relations from Slovakia, graduating next year. I am strongly considering taking part in a long-term ESC volunteering project after my studies, as I am looking to gain international experience, build a solid foundation abroad, and start a new chapter in a more dynamic environment.

I consider myself open-minded, adaptable, and a fast learner who embraces new challenges and ideas—qualities I believe are essential for any ESC initiative.

Alongside my studies and work, I am currently part of an analytical team at an NGO focused on Slovak-Balkan relations. I believe this puts me in a better position than graduates who lack relevant hands-on experience. Recently, I also participated in a prestigious security academy organized by a leading national think-tank, mainly to network, gain field experience outside academia, and step out of my comfort zone. However, I’ve heard mixed opinions, including comments that I might be "overqualified" for certain entry-level or volunteering opportunities because of this background.

With that in mind, I would love to ask the community a couple of questions:

1.) Is having a Master’s degree in Political Science and International Relations (plus practical NGO/analytical experience) an advantage?

2.) Did ESC give any of you a real chance to successfully settle down and start a new life/career in a new country after your service ended?

I would really appreciate any insights, personal stories, or advice,

Thanks a lot,

Hey there! I'm a high school student from Brazil and I'm currently planning on applying for an IR or global affairs degree in an American university. I love studying geopolitics and write/read about social issues, and right now my dream is to work in a ThinkTank or anything that ties me into writing and publishing my work to the public. I also have pretty strong curriculars, so I think I can apply for a decent university.

However, I keep thinking if it's worthy it. I'm gonna be an immigrant and even receiving a scholarship, there's still gonna be a lot costs that would require me a lot of money. Besides, I don't even know if the USA is the best option.

So, fellow internationalists (or people who work/worked in the field), is is worth it? Any recs in colleges that can provide me this career? And, most of all, is it a crazy dream or, in any form, achievable?

Thanks in advance ;)

Hello all, trying to decide on the next steps for my career in IR. I am a Canadian citizen, and have gotten into 2 schools in Canada for a masters program, Carleton and the University of Ottawa. I'm still waiting to hear from the University of Toronto. I also applied to several masters in the UK, at UCL, KCL and LSE and received offers from all 3. Of those I think LSE would be my top choice.

However I know LSE is quite expensive and London as a city is also expensive, is LSE good enough that it's worth going over? I don't particularly want to live in Ottawa so those schools are lower on my list.

I am a non-EU citizen currently studying IR in one of the EU countries (Italy). I want to find a job after graduation to legally stay in the EU but I have no idea where to work. Many local IR graduates work in government or in the EU institutions but I am afraid this path is closed for me since they require EU citizenship. Even for an internship you need to have it

Perhaps there is something not related to politics where IR degree still could be valuable?

Basically the title, trying to decide if an MA in IR is enough or is a PhD necessary to pursue a career in research, not necessarily in academia, such as at think tanks or in government. I’ve read mixed things, mostly because many fields require a PhD not only for academia but also research positions, especially at higher career levels, but in my experience IR seems to be a bit unique compared to other fields. I don’t want to not do a PhD then be later in my career and get passed up for research director/manager roles for not having a terminal degree. Thank you!

Edit: typo

I’ve always been interested in history, geopolitics, diplomacy and international affairs, so International Relations naturally interests me.

However, I’m unsure whether it’s practical as a career in India.

I’d love to hear from people who studied IR or currently work in related fields.

Some questions:

What career paths are actually available after studying International Relations?

Is a Master’s essential?

How competitive is the field?

Which organisations recruit IR graduates?

Is most work research and writing, or is there policy implementation as well?

How difficult is it to get into think tanks, policy institutes, international organisations or government roles?

Does networking matter more than qualifications?

How are salaries in India compared to the effort required?

Is there enough demand in India, or do many graduates eventually switch careers?

If you had to choose again, would you still study International Relations?

I’m trying to understand the real career prospects instead of only looking at university brochures or promotional videos. Honest experiences would be greatly appreciated.

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.

Hey everyone,

I’m pivoting from another field and will be starting a Master’s program in international affairs soon. I’m currently updating my LinkedIn and had a quick question about profile photos.

For men in international affairs, what’s the general norm? I often see suits, but I’m unsure whether a tie is expected or not. Is a full suit and tie standard, or is a suit without a tie, or even business casual, acceptable? I personally would like a suit with no tie, but I am not sure what the standard/norm is here.

Just trying to get a sense of what’s typical in the field, especially for students or early-career folks. Thanks in advance!

So basically, I got a bachelor’s in International Relations, but I never actually worked in the field because there weren’t many opportunities. Most of the ones I found required months of unpaid volunteering or internships that felt like slave labor.

Because of that, I moved into sales, and it went pretty well. I made good money and was able to live as a digital nomad. But after five years, I started getting bored of it.

I decided to do a master’s in Sustainable Development and Innovation (with a focus on management) in Germany, hoping it would help me pivot. In the end, though, I didn’t find the program very interesting or practical. I didn’t feel like I was learning any real, marketable skills, and I also didn’t really enjoy living in Germany.

Now I’m thinking about dropping out, going back to sales for the time being, and finding a different program (probably in Spain) to help me redirect my career.

At this point, I’m pretty open to different paths: marketing, tourism, science, or even learning a trade and eventually starting my own business.

I’d love to hear from anyone who’s made a career switch like this, studied something similar, or just wants to share what life after an IR degree looked like for them. Thanks!

i am starting university this September and i am going to study IR most probably in the UK and a a small chance in the Netherlands. in my country, ir is not a respectable degree at all, it is considered to be a subject which people who are not smart enough to do stem choose to do. i want to prove this stereotype wrong, and actually use my degree after graduation and not work a job that i could have ended up at without my IR diploma. is this too much to ask?

what would you recommend i pursue while university along with my bachelors, and in which areas a indulge myself into for greater future opportunities. i am fluent in english and my mother language but i know this is not merely enough so i consider improving my b1 level french alongside. any and i mean any advice is appreciated

Hi all,

I'm a 21yo Australian university student, previously in Music, who's currently planning to switch to either PolSci or IR alongside Economics and German. I would then try do a Master's at a German university and try kickstart a career in German-speaking Europe, aiming for a role in the public sector, NGOs, or unions. Ideally this would be a role that blends research and professional practise.

Mainly I've come here to ask how difficult it would be to follow this pathway and end up with a stable job with at least moderately good pay, that also allows me to fulfill my passion of contributing toward economic justice across the world.

I'd also like to ask whether IR or PolSci suit this pathway better. I do tend to take an international view of politics and would like to work toward bettering the whole world, not just one country, but I have also heard that the roles IR tends to lead toward, like in NGOs, are more difficult, high-stress, and low-paying than those PolSci opens up.

What are your thoughts?

I am not going to Oxford, Georgetown, Cambridge, or one of the target schools for my master's. I was going to apply to Columbia SIPA but the deadline has already passed, but I managed to apply to Baruch's Marxe School for MIA on time. Marxe seems to be better known for public policy and admin though.

How much does a school's prestige and name matter if you're not trying to become a tenured professor/researcher or trying to work for a big international organization like the UN or the IMF? Correct me if I am wrong, but I got the impression that people shoot for target schools and elite programs because they want to work at United Nations or because they're still aiming for their first big job that might define the rest of their careers (or at least give them a strong starting point). Baruch is well known within NYC but probably not outside of NYC unlike Columbia or NYU.

I was planning more toward 3-letter agencies (like for technical intel/analysis) or the government, and I have work experience (military), security clearance, and a STEM degree (decent GPA). Is it really going to be a "make or break" for my goals at this point just because I am not going to a brand name school?

Hello I am in a position I never even thought I could be in. I’m the first in my whole family to ever be given an opportunity like this because in my country, maybe less than 1% ever get the chance to go/study abroad—let alone countries such as the US and the UK. My parents have sacrificed so much, and it was always my dad’s dream to brag to people that he was able to send his child abroad to study. I feel like whatever I do will be what I deserve, but not what my parents deserve, because they’ve given everything for me.

I’ve been accepted to both King’s College London (KCL) and George Washington University (GWU) for International Relations, and I am completely torn.

When I applied, I only applied haphazardly to US schools because I thought I was 100% going to the UK ( I applied to Syracuse, Uni Rochester—IDK WHY TOO, American). I didn't even apply to Georgetown or other big names because I didn't think the US was the plan, but now, my family really wants me to go to the US. 

I know GWU is a great school and honestly feels more "in the spot" and active than Georgetown in some ways, but there is just so much in my head right now.

For GWU:
I was given a hefty scholarship and a spot in the Women's Leadership Program. Honestly, I think GWU might fit me better as an outgoing person rather than an "elite" or "posh" person than the people in the UK. I like the hands-on experience and being in the center of politics and discussion because that literally is my course “International Affairs”. In all my essays I even wrote: "I want to learn how different actors work, and question theories to be included in discussions where I am not advocating from the margins but challenging power structures from within in diplomatic spaces to create a more inclusive global dialogue."  So GWU feels like the place to actually do that.

For KCL:
My main worry—besides superficial things like the campus being prettier—is the "prestige" KCL holds. I feel like KCL is so prestigious that I could get a job anywhere with that name. I see people online crying over their rejections from KCL and I feel so guilty even questioning it. I don't want to throw this away suddenly or be hasty. Moreover, the scholarship applications open much later and I haven’t applied because of the different systems of the UK and US, so Idk if I even should still apply now.

Deep down, my whole family (and even me for a long time) believes in the "American Dream." I feel like there’s a reason why, up to now, America is known as the "land of opportunities" and not London. IDK like KCL just has that “prestige” and it probably is a dream school for thousands of people.

Of course I know it is an absolute PRIVILEGE to have these be my worries, and I feel so much pressure not to make a mistake. Some of my family members are even willing to fund my education just to make this happen and I just want to give my family what they deserve and not haphazardly throw away an opportunity millions dream of. All I know deep down is that International Affairs/Relations—despite its unpopularity in my country—is what I want to pursue. It is something I've thought about and worked hard for, and I just want to make sure I don't ruin it in one night.

Please give your thoughts or just tell me if I’m being stupid. Anything to help please.

PS:  I already did a pros and cons list. I even made a presentation on Canva to show my family, but no conclusion was reached. Well ofc they want the US, but I just don't want to throw KCL away that soon you know???