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First, some facts. Of the International Relations and Affairs graduates from American University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 21 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 64%, International Relations and Affairs graduates from American University have a slightly lower likelihood (-3%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 57% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a International Relations and Affairs graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 75% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2022 from American University with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in International Relations and Affairs. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONFoodCorps Service Member FoodCorps Aug 2022 - Jul 2023 Child Nutrition Intern Food Research & Action Center Jul 2023 - Aug 2023 Youth Nutrition Coordinator  Capital Area Food Bank Aug 2023 - Present ABOUTAspiring global health service professional with a keen interest in racial disparities within maternal and child health as well as nutrition wellness. Strong interest in language and culture also, the economic developmental aspects of international relations. ENFJ personality type.Skilled in Research, Microsoft Excel, Customer Service, Situation Diffusion, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft PowerPoint. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at jobs held by graduates of the International Relations and Affairs program at American University, it's clear that there are some common threads. Many positions are directly related to governmental or nonprofit sectors, especially roles involving policy analysis, humanitarian assistance, and international development. For example, jobs such as Legislative Assistant, Policy Intern, and various roles with the Peace Corps exemplify how graduates have engaged in work that aligns closely with their degree, tackling important international issues head-on. Others, like those at APCO Worldwide, revolve around consulting on international policies and strategic communications, showcasing the degree's relevance in the consulting world.
However, not all job paths taken by these graduates relate directly to international relations. A number of individuals have ventured into roles that prioritize administrative tasks or domestic sectors. Positions like Customer Service Assistant, Data Analyst, and even some legal roles (like Litigation Paralegal) often lack the direct application of international relations principles and focus more on operational or legal frameworks. So, while many graduates find fulfilling roles that utilize their international relations skills, it’s evident that some have taken a more tangential path, applying their expertise in ways that don’t directly correlate with the themes of their degree. This mixed track record highlights the versatility of the degree, but also the varying degrees of relevance in the types of jobs alumni pursue.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for International Relations and Affairs graduates (this is across all International Relations and Affairs graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to American University):
Graduates from American University with a degree in International Relations and Affairs seem to have quite a diverse set of career trajectories. When looking at their first jobs after graduation, many of them have taken on roles in internships or entry-level positions that are somewhat related to international or governmental work. For instance, roles like International Programming Intern and Legislative Assistant show that these grads often start by getting their feet wet in relevant organizations, which can eventually lead to career growth within the international realm or public service.
Fast forward five to ten years later, and you’ll see that a good number of these individuals have advanced into well-respected positions in governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector. Many have transitioned into management roles, such as Senior Health Care Manager or Policy Administrator, while others have moved into private sector firms, including investment banking and consulting. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, though; while some have clearly carved out successful careers in fields related to their degree, others have strayed into less relevant areas, such as customer service or data analysis, which may not fully leverage their International Relations background. Overall, while there are definitely success stories in fields aligned with their studies, there are also graduates who seem to have taken paths that diverge from their original career aspirations in international affairs.
The Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Affairs at American University can be pretty challenging, but that really depends on your interests and strengths. You’ll dive into complex topics like global politics, economics, and cultural studies, which can feel overwhelming if you're not into heavy reading and critical thinking. But if you're passionate about these subjects, it might be more engaging than difficult! Overall, I've heard it’s about average in terms of workload compared to other majors, requiring a good balance of analytical skills and the ability to communicate your ideas well. So if you enjoy discussing world issues and can keep up with the readings, you might find it a manageable and rewarding experience!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in International Relations and Affairs.
Looking at the job paths for these American University International Relations and Affairs grads, it seems like a mixed bag when it comes to money. Some have found themselves in pretty solid roles, especially those who climbed up in the finance and healthcare sectors or worked with reputable organizations, like the graduates heading into senior positions at Credit Suisse and APCO Worldwide. They likely rake in decent salaries, probably in the six-figure range. But others, especially those starting out in internships or non-profit roles, might not be making as much initially, especially in sectors like education or humanitarian work. So, while there are certainly some who appear to be doing well financially, there are others who are probably still making their way up the ladder, which is pretty common when starting a career in international relations.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in International Relations and Affairs (this is across all International Relations and Affairs graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to American University). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in International Relations and Affairs (ordered by the average relevance score of their International Relations and Affairs graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 The George Washington University
|
70 | 36 |
 American University
|
64 | 21 |
 Boston University
|
63 | 12 |
 The University of Georgia
|
56 | 21 |
 University of Southern California
|
56 | 13 |
 James Madison University
|
53 | 11 |
 University of California, Davis
|
50 | 11 |
 University of Colorado Boulder
|
49 | 16 |
 Florida International University
|
47 | 36 |
 Florida State University
|
45 | 29 |