What can you do with a International Relations degree from Boston University?

First, some facts. Of the International Relations graduates from Boston 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 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 50%, International Relations graduates from Boston University have a much lower likelihood (-17%) 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.

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Also, after graduating, only 27% 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 a Bachelors degree is enough for most International Relations graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

• What jobs can you get with a International Relations degree from Boston University?
• What do International Relations graduates from Boston University do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a International Relations degree from Boston University? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a International Relations degree from Boston University?
• What are the best colleges for International Relations?

View a random International Relations graduate from Boston University and our analysis:

Relevance score: 3% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2010 from Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Case Worker International Rescue Committee Jan 2010 - Aug 2010 As a Case Worker at the International Rescue Committee, the role directly involves international relations concepts and skills, making it highly relevant to the Bachelor's degree in International Relations. Teacher Pushp Niketan School Aug 2010 - Mar 2011 The position of Teacher at Pushp Niketan School does not require specific knowledge or skills from International Relations, as it focuses on education rather than international issues or policies. Program Coordinator Seneca Center Apr 2011 - May 2012 As a Program Coordinator at Seneca Center, the job may involve aspects of community organization and social services where some international relations principles could be applied, but it is not directly centered on the core qualifications of the degree. Studio Manager Kristina Young Photography Jun 2012 - Feb 2014 The role of Studio Manager at Kristina Young Photography requires skills in photography and business management, which do not align with international relations knowledge or competencies. Director of Education NYC Salt Mar 2014 - Jan 2015 The position of Director of Education at NYC Salt may require some understanding of educational policies or social issues that overlap with international contexts, but it does not primarily utilize international relations knowledge. Assistant Editor Photo.Net Sep 2013 - Jan 2016 The Assistant Editor at Photo.Net focuses on editing and managing content which does not involve the principles or knowledge related to International Relations. Photographer, Business Owner [NAME REMOVED] DiBenedetto Photography 2013 - Present As a Photographer and Business Owner, the focus is on photography and business operations, which are not relevant to the field of International Relations. Assistant Principal Success Academy Charter Schools Apr 2018 - Jun 2018 The role of Assistant Principal at Success Academy Charter Schools focuses on education administration, which does not directly require skills or knowledge from the Bachelor's in International Relations. Teacher Success Academy Charter Schools Jun 2015 - Present The position of Teacher at Success Academy Charter Schools is centered on education, making it unrelated to the field of International Relations. Grade Team Lead Success Academy Charter Schools Aug 2017 - Present As a Grade Team Lead at Success Academy Charter Schools, the job is focused on educational leadership and does not utilize knowledge or skills in International Relations. Principal Success Academy Charter Schools Jun 2018 - Present The position of Principal at Success Academy Charter Schools is primarily concerned with educational management, which does not require knowledge or skills related to International Relations. FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING Photography Boston University Center for Digital Imaging Arts 2013 - 2013 Masters of Science Touro College 2015 - 2017 ABOUT Experienced teacher and leader with a passionate and holistic approach to education yielding hard results. Led team to #1 ranking in network wide assessments. Achieved 100% passing results in New York State Math assessment as well as 97% passing in English Language Arts New York State Test. Experienced in Elementary Education, Leadership, Classroom Management and Teaching.

What jobs can you get with a International Relations degree from Boston University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:

• Teacher
• English Language Assistant
• AmeriCorps VISTA - Development Associate
• Case Worker
• Program Coordinator
• Studio Manager
• Director of Education
• Assistant Editor
• Photographer, Business Owner
• Assistant Principal

When looking at the types of jobs people from Boston University with a degree in International Relations have taken up, you notice a lot of diversity—ranging from education and healthcare to roles in government and NGOs. A good number of graduates have pursued positions like teachers, program coordinators, or roles in the business sector. However, many of these jobs don't align directly with the core principles of International Relations, particularly those that are focused on education management or other areas outside international policy and diplomacy. It seems like some graduates ended up in roles that didn’t specifically utilize the knowledge from their studies, leading to a split between those working in international contexts and those in completely unrelated fields.

Some positions, especially in humanitarian organizations, nonprofit sectors, or roles that focus on global issues like immigration law or environmental policies, do resonate closely with an International Relations background. For instance, jobs like working as a legal assistant for immigrant rights or positions at the United Nations show a clear connection. But overall, many graduates have taken paths that are quite removed from traditional International Relations roles—leaning heavily towards education, healthcare, or operational positions within companies. While there are some exceptions, it’s clear that having a degree in International Relations doesn't always guarantee a job that directly uses that expertise. In summary, the experience seems quite mixed, with some graduates finding relevant roles while others branch out into completely different areas.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for International Relations graduates (this is across all International Relations graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Boston University):

What kind of career trajectories do International Relations graduates from Boston University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates from Boston University with a degree in International Relations generally have diverse career trajectories, especially in the early years following graduation. Many of the individuals in your analysis started off in roles that, while not strictly aligned with traditional international relations positions, still reflect their involvement in impactful sectors. For instance, recent graduates have taken on roles such as paralegals and human resource coordinators, often in organizations that deal with refugee services and humanitarian issues. Others have pursued positions in education and non-profit organizations, which, while not directly related to international relations, underscore a commitment to community service and social impact.

Looking a bit further down the line, after five to ten years, many of these graduates seem to be inching closer to roles that directly utilize their International Relations background, like project management within healthcare, operations at NGOs, or leadership roles in educational institutions. Some have indeed landed significant positions, such as directors or coordinators in non-profits or even governmental roles. However, it's also clear that there’s a segment of graduates who have taken more traditional corporate paths unrelated to their field of study, especially in areas like tech and business management. This mixed bag highlights that while some alumni are leveraging their degree in relevant roles, others may not be directly applying their studies in international relations but are still making a difference in broader societal contexts.

How hard is a International Relations degree from Boston University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your interests and strengths. At Boston University, you’re expected to dive into a mix of politics, economics, history, and culture, which means you’ll be doing a good amount of reading, writing, and critical thinking. If you enjoy discussing global issues and analyzing different perspectives, you might find it engaging rather than overwhelming. But if that’s not your thing, it might feel more tough. Overall, it’s about average in terms of difficulty compared to other majors, but the workload can get intense, especially if you’re taking advanced courses or cramming in internships and extracurriculars. Just keep in mind that like any degree, it’s what you make of it!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in International Relations.

Do International Relations graduates from Boston University tend to make good money?

Looking at the job trajectories of these Boston University International Relations graduates, it seems like they’re doing pretty well for themselves overall, though the pay scales vary quite a bit. Some of them started out in non-profit roles or teaching positions, which typically don’t pay that much, but then moved on to higher-level roles like Directors and Principals, which can definitely boost their income. For instance, the 2011 grad who became Director of Operations at UPMC likely sees a decent paycheck by now. On the other hand, some graduates from 2016 and 2017 have been in more entry-level positions for a while, but it seems like they’re starting to transition into roles that should come with better salary opportunities. So while not every person is rolling in cash right away, many are on a solid path to making decent money as they gain experience.

What buzzwords do International Relations graduates use to describe themselves?

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 (this is across all International Relations graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Boston University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for International Relations?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in International Relations (ordered by the average relevance score of their International Relations graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College	Score	Count
Boston University	50	11