International relations

Are you interested in such industries as politics and international affairs? Is it easy for you to study foreign languages? Are you interested in diplomatic missions and relations between countries? – Then you should pay attention to an interesting and responsible specialty – “International Relations”. This profession combines not only the knowledge and experience of relations between countries but also the globalization of politics, diplomacy. This area is suitable for ambitious people who easily establish contact and freely conduct diplomatic negotiations, have the skills of negotiation, persuasion, and discussion of contentious issues in a peaceful way.

Description of the profession

The specialty is aimed at training specialists in international relations, which are understood in matters of international public and private law, economic relations, political and social sciences. Such specialists work in information and analytical units, departments on international law, consulates, mass media, organizations that trade in the international market. Profession requires the analytical composition of the mind, the tendency to analyze and systematize the received information, knowledge of languages, stress resistance, the ability to quickly find a compromise, conduct diplomatic negotiations. Active communication with foreign organizations and partners requiring a high level of erudition, etiquette knowledge, international law, work with documents, translation skills and support for the high status of the chosen profession.

 Prospects for employment

The best start of a specialist career in international relations is high-quality education. But this is not the only requirement that is paid attention to the resume. For successful employment, it is still important to know at least two foreign languages at a level that will allow you to communicate freely with foreigners. An excellent proof of the skills and determination of the candidate is the availability of internships in international organizations (especially abroad) and practice. For graduates of the specialty “International Relations” a wide range of employment options is opened:

• Position of the expert in the centers of political analysis;
• Non-governmental organizations, local self-government, public administration are waiting for “internationalists” as analysts and specialists in the field of management;
• Policy advisor;
• Organizer of events, open meetings;
• Specialist in contacts with international partners, institutions, organizations;
• Diplomatic specialist;
• Journalist on current events at the world arena in the media (radio, television, press).

Specialist in international relations is ready to work in:

• Organizations and institutions that trade in foreign markets;
• Companies with partners in other countries working in the foreign market;
• Organizations and institutions of international level;
• Institutions of public administration that are related to international economic policy;
• Centers and research organizations working in line with international relations.

An internationalist is a person who has knowledge of world politics and economics, knows what’s happening in the world, and analyzes the information in the right direction. Such a specialist should be ready to face problems and solve them calmly both on the internal and external field of activity.

Responsibilities

Specialists with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in international relations perform the following duties:

• The Attache at the embassies and ministries – a lower-level diplomat whose duties include meetings with people, preparation of references, analysis of political publications, information gathering, etc.;
• The diplomatic agent – the head of the mission or a member of staff at the diplomatic mission;
• Diplomatic courier – transportation of diplomatic mail. The status is governed by the Vienna Convention.
• Secretary;
• Advisor;
• Analytics, collection and processing of information;
• Translator;
• Conducting expert examination, referent services and consultant in institutions conducting international activities.

How to become a specialist in international relations

The specialty “International Relations” is quite serious and interesting. It is only necessary to go to study for such a specialist if the person clearly understands the further responsibilities and all the risks of such employment. To choose a specialty “International relations” only for obtaining a diploma on higher education is a waste of time. It’s not the specialty you can just sit on.

Entering the “International Relations” direction, students study international history, politics and economics, foreign languages, diplomacy, etc. Students study a lot of subjects, here are the most interesting and important:

• History and theory of international relations, international law;
• Actual problems and tendencies of relations on the international arena;
• Private and public law;
• Economic relations between countries;
• Foreign Policy;
• Diplomatic and consular relations;
• Several foreign languages with international status (English, German, French, Polish, etc.);
• International organizations;
• International politics;
• Foreign trade;
• International and domestic security;
• Political geography;
• Theories of development of countries;
• Diplomatic protocol and international etiquette skills;
• International analytics and information activities.

The specialty has many advantages, including passing of practice and internship in international organizations of Ukraine and abroad, close contacts with foreign research centers, a powerful foreign research base.