what all IR students should know // job, classes, freedom

Things all IR students should know: 1 - Lots of history classes. 2 - You need to know (several) languages. The more, the better. 3 - The number of essays you have to do. Info in mass media is always distorted, have to double-check everything. 3.1 - Have to conclude, analyse, and provide insight into everything you write. 4 - You need to be well-rounded and holistic in the work you do: Economics, history, politics, law... international relations isn't a thing, it's essentially just combination of many other subjects. 4.1 - This has pros and cons... it means you won't have enough expertise in any of those areas to apply for one of those specific jobs, at least not without further study. 5 - Future job opportunities are made difficult by how broad & unspecific IR is. You have to do a masters, almost definitely in something more specific, because a bachelors in IR just isn't enough of a qualification. More time studying, more time spending on education, etc

Fellow IR student here! I'm a few months from finishing my degree and have actually been considering filming a video on discussing the IR degree and future career prospects. This is a great video for anyone coming into the IR degree!

As a first time IR student, worse, in Masters Degree (1st year also), I have to say I really like this. I can see some things you mentioned in the video, for example, i've noticed that some subjects seem to be very demanding, especially in terms of research/essays, history, economy and TIME. Especially for someone who comes from the languages field (my bachelors), I feel overwhelmed sometimes. Also, you see very different types of students: people from IR bachelors, people who already traveled the world, people who have been in higher places or represented their country.. I feel like I'm in disadvantage, and years behind. Not gonna lie and say, "Oh the name didnt meant anything for me, I wasn't dreaming about my future job", 'cause that's a lie. I have to say the name sounded appealing to me at first, "International Relations"..Ah, sounds like heaven. However, I also realized that I wanted this before. I'm a very curious person, and I want to know more about the world, conflicts and foreign policy. After all, this may sound like it's rocket science, or , can even be 'rocket science', but I like this and it's about the world we live in, and I want to understand it. PS: If anyone knows resourceful channels for IR in youtube, or good websites, anything, I will appreciate it :)

I think the main thing to consider when studying IR (as someone who is applying to study this and keep in mind I'm listing multiple ways to go about this): 1. Incorporate other skills you already have. What I mean by this is, I have skills in graphic design, photography, video/podcast editing, production, writing, and I have done real work for people and have a portfolio. Making a portfolio with your best school papers, designing your own website, or just doing something out of the box can get you noticed. Using skills you have in combination with IR will take you farther. 2. Have a minor or double major in something with hard skills like a language, business, computer science, etc. 3. International relations is a combination of a bunch of subjects: economics, law, politics, history, languages, etc. Think about the different things that encompass IR and choose which one you like the best. If it's law, for example, go seek out legal internships, jobs, etc in the future. 4. Pick a region of the world like Eastern Europe for example and learn everything you can about it. Pick one language from the region and start learning it. 5. Learn languages, there's not a certain number, but language learning is so important. I think many people (no matter what degree they get) go in it without a plan or idea of what they want. I'm not saying you have to make a 5 year plan detailing every step, but just taking the time to think about your interests and developing those is so important. At the end of the day, no matter your major, it's hard to find a job, but the more skills you pick up the more likely you can get a job (even if it's just to hold you over until you get your dream job). If you have aspirations to work at the UN or in the government that's fantastic, but also understand that there are so many other options.  You can also have both. I know people who worked a job for 10 years and then finally went to college for the first time and used their degree well, and I know others who got their university degree straight out of high school and got a job using that degree, and 6 years later they changed their line of work to something completely unrelated to their major. What I'm trying to say is no matter what you choose in life things will happen. You have to make intentional choices about the jobs you take and although I don't agree with all points of the book, The Defining Decade is a book to read, if you want to look more into what I'm talking about. Well, rant over, I hope you all find yourself employed and in good spirits in these times. :)

i love your videos and insights about IR :) you were actually a defining person on whether i would pursue a degree on this field or not and i’m very glad i did, so thank you very much!

I'm so thankful that you chose to be so honest about all this, it's so helpful in many ways, I really wanted to understand everything about the IR field and this was the best video for that, you're amazing.

To be honest, the degree is what you make of it. You don’t need a Master’s to get a job (unless you really want to work in IR). Just make sure to have internships and to network during your studies. Ofc if you just expect opportunities to fall on your lap without putting in the work, that’s not gonna happen.

This was literally the video i wanted since idk so long . To know the darker side of affiliating yourself with the ministry and the much needed reality check. Thankyou for such an insightful content. Keep posting more. Much love xx

I love how honest you are!

Finally someone who understands!! literally what you said is what I'm living right now

Thank you so much for this! 3 years later, still very helpful

What is difficult for me In this field,is COMMUNICATION. I'm an introvert, only to find out I need to communicate alot 🙆😑

thank you well explained!! this is the video I was looking for!!

I just watched this video and I can say that I totally agree with you.I am too IR student and I’ve became 3th grade end of this year.The uncertainty about future you talked abot same as me and I dont know what to do still.Yes we have had a lot classes from every field but they dont make us profession in specific area and this is annoying.On the other hand I love my department and I am happy for chosing it.I can say that this department definitely helps to improve your personality and you become a different person than you are in the past.Let see what will happen in the future.By the way you look very pretty and intellect girl from here 😇

thanks so much for making this video. it really was helpful, to the point and what I was looking for🙏

i just want to thank you so muchh♡♡ this finalizes my decision to do ir it sounds exactly what i want

Thanks for making this video. I thought I am the only IR student who is dealing with such thoughts. This video gave me answers to my questions. It will also help me in my career selection. ❤

Thank you for being so honest. That was helpful ❤️

Thank you so much my dear for enlightened us on what we are supposed to know about the course we are pursuing right now. I believe just as you said, most of us choose international Relations' course due to the prestigious life we see people working in the ministry of foreign affairs are living but actually we don't even know what such prestigious life entails. Thanks once more for making us understand that this career is not a bed of roses

This really gave me a lot of insights about this course because I’ve been contemplating between IR and architecture. I really love IR and wish to become a diplomat someday but am very hesitant about the freedom part since being architect has a lot of freedom actually but thank you so much for this. It really gave me a lot of options to consider :)