Annual Careers Event
14 July 2021 | 14:00 (SAST)
Getting a Master's degree in International Relations is one of the key ways you can make the world a better place. If you’re reading this, you must be wondering: what can you do with an International Relations degree?
You’ll have the opportunity to maintain positive diplomatic relations between countries, prevent international conflicts, and make sure things run smoothly between governments in our highly interconnected world.
As an international relations specialist, you will have a broad set of career options in addition to politics, including in fields like economics, social systems and the cultural life of communities
1. Diplomat - Maintaining good relations between countries
As a diplomat, you will represent and protect a nation's interests abroad in terms of politics, trade and consular services. You’ll spend usually around three years in a foreign country. Some of your responsibilities will be:
2. Intelligence Specialist - Gathering state-critical information
As an intelligence specialist, you can work in the military, the navy, national security departments, or almost any state department of one of the national government agencies. Your main duties will include:
3. Political Analyst - Explaining the political climate
Generally, you’ll be employed by the government, but you can also find work opportunities within media companies or research institutes. Your tasks will be to:
4. Lobbyist - Promoting ideas to those who can make them a reality
Lobbyists are usually hired by an association, corporation, or non-profit organisation to convince government members to make a decision that would benefit the organisation or company they are representing.
As a lobbyist you will perform tasks like:
5. Communication Specialist in a non-profit
A degree in International Relations can land you a job in a non-profit organisation that operates at an international level. As a Communications Specialist, you’ll have the chance to develop your career in a local office that has a global reach. Non-profit agencies like World Vision and Red Cross provide such global service, but there are many other options, too. Your main duties will be:
Source: www.mastersportal.com
When you successfully complete a specialisation in Development Studies, you will be able to pursue careers in government and both local and international development institutions such as the Development Bank of Southern Africa, the African Development Bank, the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNICEF, and local and international NGOs such as World Vision, Operation Hunger and Oxfam, among many others. They will be employable as:
1. Policy Analyst
Since political science majors study the process for generating public policy, the role of policy analyst is a natural application of their work as a student. Policy analysts rely on strong critical thinking, writing, and research skills as they formulate statements about the nature and impact of proposals for public policy. Like political science majors, policy analysts must devise a sound thesis and build a persuasive argument for or against the adoption of a particular policy initiative. In addition, analysts use their understanding of the political and legislative process to enlist the support of individuals who can help advance initiatives.
2. Legislative Assistant
Senators, assembly members, representatives, and other elected officials at all levels of government hire assistants to help them to carry out their duties. Legislative assistants tap into the writing and verbal skills developed by the political science major to coordinate communication with constituents and inform them about developments within their district. They assess the interest of constituents regarding current political issues and present the views of their elected officials within a positive framework. Legislative assistants respond to constituent inquiries and help to resolve problems of citizens within their jurisdiction. Legislative assistants research policy issues, track legislation, and survey the positions of other legislators on pending legislation. They prepare briefings for their legislator and other office staff.
3. Public Relations Specialist
Public relations representatives influence public opinion about their clients based largely on placing stories with the media. Political science majors develop the writing skills needed to draft compelling press releases and the persuasive skills to assert the benefits of covering a particular story. They also learn how opinions are formed, and the role of the media, as they research current events during their studies. Public relations specialists often organize and publicize press conferences and other events in order to attract media attention and get the word out about their client. Political science majors gain some insight into this process as they study the mechanics of organizing campaign events and public appearances by government representatives.
4. Social Media Manager
Public opinion is increasingly shaped by social media. Political candidates, officials, parties, and interest groups need social media managers to monitor the views of constituents about their administration and current issues. Social media managers must understand various social media platforms and orchestrate campaigns to shape the perceptions of their users. Political science majors know how opinions are formed and influenced by various media and can be instrumental in formulating and implementing these plans.
5. Marketing Research Analyst
Market researchers analyze how consumers will respond to products or services, much like political science students assess the reactions of potential voters to candidates. Political science majors study the role of survey research and opinion polling in campaigning. The work of market researchers often involves surveying consumer reactions to potential or current products and services. Market research analysts can tap into the knowledge of research standards that the political science major possesses when designing scientifically viable studies. They must present their findings to clients and co-workers and back up their recommendations with data.
6. Political Consultant
Political consultants use the knowledge of the political process gained by political science majors to devise strategies for candidates to influence voters and gain support in their campaigns for office. Political consultants help to brand candidates and repair damaged images. They attempt to influence media coverage of candidates by offering favourable stories and positive takes on the past performance of the candidate. These workers may survey potential voters to discern their reaction to a candidate and the basis of their opinion.
7. Political Campaign Staff
Political campaign staff members help to formulate and execute campaign strategy. They work towards building a brand or favourable public image for the candidate. Staffers use the ability of the political science major to study current political issues and assess voter reactions to a candidate's platform. They write press releases and help draft language for speeches. Political campaign staff help manage the candidate's social media imprint and organize events to gain exposure for candidates. They recruit, train, and supervise volunteers, as well as raising money to fund the campaign.
8. College-Student Leadership and Activities Directors
Activities directors can apply knowledge of political science as they structure student elections and leadership programs. They help set standards for elections and monitor proceedings to make sure that student rights are upheld. College-student leadership and activities officers develop leadership training exercises and advise leaders about effective and ethical ways to exercise their authority. They oversee the use of financial resources and investigate irregularities in student-run clubs and programs. These workers mediate disputes between student leaders and ensure that minority interests are reflected in budgets and activities.
Source: thebalancecareers.com
An economics degree will boost your employability in many areas, regardless of the industry you work in. There is strong demand for highly numerate graduates throughout the global labor market, and the widely transferable analytical and problem-solving skills developed by economics students means that careers in economics are extremely wide ranging and diverse.
Below are a range of popular economics careers:
Source: www.topuniversities.com
A law degree teaches you to think critically, solve problems, research, communicate, work in teams and distil large, complex rafts of information into succinct (well, most of the time) writing. While these skills are important in almost any job, here are 10 careers that value law graduates highly.
1. Accounting
Talintyre says the “Big Four” accounting firms in Australia (PricewaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, Ernst & Young and Deloitte) are increasingly trying to poach top-tier lawyers for their own growing legal services arms. In 2016 the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) legal arm grew to 18 partners and is apparently chasing a target of 25 partners and 100 lawyers by the end of the 2016/2017 financial year. Moving to an accounting firm has the added bonus of expanding your skill set, as most firms will require (and pay for) you to obtain the Chartered Accountants qualification.
2. Journalism
Many lawyers make excellent journalists because of their attention to detail, natural scepticism, writing skills, and knowledge of Australia’s complex political and legal system. Waleed Aly, Andrew O’Keefe, Liz Jackson and Annabel Crabb are a few Australian examples of well-known journalists with law degrees.
3. Recruitment
Many lawyers drift into legal recruitment because of their knowledge of the legal industry and contacts. Talintyre says it’s almost impossible to work in legal recruiting without a law degree. “You need to know what you’re talking about, in order to be relevant and recognise what the candidate or firm wants,” she says. “I’ve heard of recruiters trying to place banking and finance lawyers into construction law firms. It can be awkward and frustrating for the candidate.”
4. Politics
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop and independent Senator Nick Xenophon are among the many Australian politicians with law degrees. Skills learned in law school such as argumentation, advocacy and an understanding of Australia’s political system are very useful in Parliament.
5. Management consulting
Top-tier management consulting firms like Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey & Company and Bain & Company often encourage law graduates to apply to them because a law degree teaches you valuable critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Experienced lawyers are also hired for their experience in communicating with wealthy, professional clients.
6. Judge's associate
While not entirely outside the law, judge’s associate positions are well paid and allow you to hone your legal research skills in a different capacity to that of a lawyer. If you don’t mind reading cases or researching (a lot), the salary is often high compared to that for graduates in law firms.
7. Human resources
A move into human resources (HR) makes sense for many lawyers as it requires an ability to apply employment laws and mitigate risks relating to the employees’ health and safety.
8. Wealth management / investment banking
Legal knowledge comes in handy for wealth managers seeking to circumvent banking laws and loopholes to the advantage of their investors. Lawyers who have worked in large firms also tend to “get” banking and finance – they understand how the corporate world works and know how to manage and bill time effectively.
9. Police prosecutor
It used to be that law graduates would need to spend three years in the police force to become a police prosecutor, but since 2008 graduates in NSW have been able to apply for an Accelerated Prosecutors Recruitment Program.
10. Advocacy
Law graduates are taught to argue and influence decisions, so if you feel strongly about a cause, why not use those skills in public interest advocacy? The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) in Sydney lists positions online and is good place for graduates to start.
Source: https://www.lawsociety.com.au/resources/resources/career-hub/10-jobs-you-can-do-law-degree
Jobs directly related to your degree include:
Jobs where your degree would be useful include:
Source: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/journalism
SkillsRus: https://skillsrus.co.za/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com
Graduates 24: https://www.graduates24.com/
Careers24: https://www.careers24.com/
Indeed: https://za.indeed.com/
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Pnet: https://www.pnet.co.za/
