International Relations

RexMundi

Didn't know where to post this question so I hope this is the right place..

If someone was interested in a career in international relations/foreign affairs, what options are out there?

In the US there are countless think-tanks and advisory committees on international relations/national security. Is there any demand for that kind of work here?

If so, what kind of undergrad degree would be best?

Napoli

Unfortunately in Ireland getting a job is about who you know, not what you know. Ambassadors and embassy workers are chosen by the government, You're not going to see an ad in the jobs section of the Evening Herald "ambassador to Brazil wanted".

My advice is maybe do a course in law, political science or even European studies. Having an extra language would improve your chances of ever getting employment in international diplomacy. Get involved in SU politics are begin to build up your political career. Then when you turn 50, just maybe you will be considered for the job.

j1smithy

Napoli wrote: »

Unfortunately in Ireland getting a job is about who you know, not what you know. Ambassadors and embassy workers are chosen by the government, You're not going to see an ad in the jobs section of the Evening Herald "ambassador to Brazil wanted".

My advice is maybe do a course in law, political science or even European studies. Having an extra language would improve your chances of ever getting employment in international diplomacy. Get involved in SU politics are begin to build up your political career. Then when you turn 50, just maybe you will be considered for the job.

I have to agree. Every so often the Civil service look for people to join, but alas there is a recruitment ban at the moment. Last year I did the exam/tests for third secretary to the department of foreign affairs. If I had been successful and got in, it would have taken probably 20 years of brown nosing before I'd have been considered for promotion to Ambassador. If you look at the diplomatic ranks in Ireland its all about who you know and where you came from, in terms of internal promotions.

When I did the test, there was about 1000 people doing it with me, and there were another two sessions. There were also other centres in Galway and Limerick. I estimate about 3000 people were looking to get through to the second round (200 places). Competition is intense. I came in 515, I didn't make it through, but I had given up halfway through the test (general aptitude and conflict resolving).

RoseBlossom

Napoli wrote: »

Unfortunately in Ireland getting a job is about who you know, not what you know. Ambassadors and embassy workers are chosen by the government, You're not going to see an ad in the jobs section of the Evening Herald "ambassador to Brazil wanted".

RexMundi, if you are interested in the international relations sphere you can try to pursue a career in the Dept. of Foreign Affairs. Recruitment, as per J1Smithy, is via open competition organised by the Public Appointments Service (see publicjobs.ie) (not the "Government", i.e. politicians) and you would look out for competitions for "Junior Diplomat / Third Secretary". There is a recruitment embargo on at the moment but I would imagine it will have lifted by the time you graduate.

As is usual in civil service competitions, there is a lot of competition and "impersonal" whittling down of candidates before any face-to-face interview (apptitute tests where you are only a number, group exercises where the appraisers don't know any of your details etc.) so who your daddy is really doesn't come into it. If you have no "connections" please do not write your chances off - this is a really outmoded view!! And regardless of whether or not that was the way things were done 40 years ago, it's not the way things are done now.

Napoli wrote: »

My advice is maybe do a course in law, political science or even European studies. Having an extra language would improve your chances of ever getting employment in international diplomacy. Get involved in SU politics are begin to build up your political career.

This is good advice. In addition to work in Ireland, a lot of graduates in international relations / european studies / politics get jobs in Brussels, usually starting off as stagaires in the European Parliament or Commission, or with advocacy groups. A second language, particularly French, would be very useful. Also, who is to say you wouldn't end up in the US or UK with some think tank? If you are genuinely interested in international relations don't limit your horizons!

What you might like to consider is doing a broad-ish degree and then, if you still feel the same way in 3/4 years (people change a lot between 18 and 22!), choosing a more specialised Masters, e.g. get a solid Arts degree and then study international relations, or study law and then european studies.

Also, don't discount charity (aid) work as a possible career - international relations in practice!

errlloyd

I guess your ultimate aim in that career would be working for the United Nations as a delegate for Ireland (or some role within the organisation itself) You get paid loads and no tax.