What are careers in international affairs?

Foreign service officers, lobbyists, and political science professors are careers related to international affairs. All three of these professions are unique and require different levels of education.

• Foreign Service Officer

  Foreign service officers or diplomats are tasked with providing support and assistance to members of their home country who are traveling abroad. Diplomats also serve to advance their country's interests and customs within a foreign country.

  Often diplomats are assigned to developing countries in need of foreign assistance, and it is the role of the foreign service officer to both assist their host country as well as expand interest in their own country.

  To work as a diplomat requires a relevant bachelor's degree, significant background checks, and a willingness to travel wherever you are asked.

• Lobbyist

  Lobbyists are individuals who work with government officials and the private sector to advance specific agendas. Typically employed by private agencies, lobbyists are primarily responsible for cultivating relationships within the public sector that influence legislation in favor of their employers.

  Thorough knowledge of laws and public policy is very important and are reflected in the employment requirements for entering the field of lobbyist. A master's degree in political science is typically required for someone in this position, and most lobbyists are hired with ample experience in some aspect of politics.

• Political Science Professor

  A professor of political science works as an instructor at a college or university and teaches subjects related to political theory and history. This career involves writing curriculum, teaching classes, and often publishing academic articles related to the political sciences.

  Most political science professors have a Ph.D. in a specialized area of political science. This career often begins with graduate students working as teaching assistants while earning their advanced degrees. The choice is made to remain in academia, and they continue to teach while earning their Ph.D.