Careers in Foreign Relations

By Willy Franzen

Looking for an entry level job or internship in foreign relations? This is an overview of how to approach the search and a list of companies that might have relevant entry level and internship opportunities.

Photo Credit: Flickr user isafmedia

Foreign relations deals with the relationships between nations and understanding foreign policy. You can work for an international organization, the federal government, or another organization that focuses on foreign affairs. Or you can go more local and get involved in community development and public service. There’s no one career path for someone interested in foreign relations, but a few possible job titles for a recent grad include:

Research Associate
Program Assistant
Executive Assistant
Member Services Coordinator
Translator or Interpreter
Security Specialist
Project Coordinator

You need a bachelor’s degree for most of these positions. A concentration in the part of the world you want to study and proficiency in a second language will put you at an advantage.

Companies with Entry Level Jobs and Internships in Foreign Relations

Partners of the Americas - Partners of the Americas is a DC based non-profit that works to “build partnerships that create opportunity, foster understanding, and solve real-life problems.”

See the complete Partners of the Americas profile

American Council of Young Political Leaders - American Council of Young Political Leaders is a DC non-profit that introduces "rising political and policy professionals to international affairs and to each other.”

See the complete American Council of Young Political Leaders profile

Americas Society/Council of the Americas - Americas Society and Council of the Americas are two New York, NY based non-profits in one that aim to improve relations across the Americas.

See the complete Americas Society/Council of the Americas profile

Group of Fifty - The Group of Fifty is a DC based non-profit made up of select “business leaders who head some of the most significant and forward-looking enterprises in Latin America."

See the complete Group of Fifty profile

Youth For Understanding USA - YFU USA is a Bethesda, MD non-profit foreign exchange “committed to preparing young people for their responsibilities and opportunities in a changing world.”

See the complete Youth For Understanding USA profile

Inter-American Dialogue - Inter-American Dialogue is a DC based "leading U.S. center for policy analysis, exchange, and communication on issues in Western Hemisphere affairs.”

See the complete Inter-American Dialogue profile

Center for The National Interest - The Center for The National Interest is based in Washington, DC and was originally founded by former President Nixon as the Nixon Center for Peace and Freedom

See the complete Center for The National Interest profile

U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress - The U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress is a Washington, DC based non-profit that puts former members of Congress to work on important causes.

See the complete U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress profile

InterAction - InterAction, is a Washington, DC based non-profit that “seeks to shape important policy decisions on relief and long term development issues."

See the complete InterAction profile

World Economic Forum - The World Economic Forum is an international non-profit that builds dialogue on the world's most pressing issues, and they're hiring.

See the complete World Economic Forum profile

Results for Development Institute - Results for Development Institute is a Washington, DC based international development non-profit with some great job opportunities for new grads.

See the complete Results for Development Institute profile

International Foundation for Electoral Systems - If you’re interested in the work that IFES is doing to promote democracy, then you need to check out their Career opportunities.

See the complete International Foundation for Electoral Systems profile

Atlantic Council - If you’re interested in getting involved, then head over to The Atlantic Council’s Jobs page to learn more about how they foster international relations.

See the complete Atlantic Council profile

Institute for the Study of War - If studying war sounds interesting to you, check out The Institute for the Study of War’s job opportunities for college grads.

See the complete Institute for the Study of War profile

Sister Cities International - If reading about Sister Cities International gets you excited, check out their Jobs page and their Youth Ambassador Program Coordinator position.

See the complete Sister Cities International profile

National Bureau of Asian Research - The National Bureau of Asian Research conducts research on U.S. relations with Asia while also training next generation of Asian specialists.

See the complete National Bureau of Asian Research profile

U.S. Agency for International Development - There is tons of information on the USAID website, so if you’re considering a career with them, spend a good amount of time learning about the agency.

See the complete U.S. Agency for International Development profile

Bridging Nations - Bridging Nations pursues their mission in 4 program areas: India-China-US Relations, Energy Technology/Policy, Education/Innovation, and Leadership/Governance

See the complete Bridging Nations profile

German Marshall Fund of the United States - If you’re interested in foreign policy, then it’d be hard to find a more interesting place to work than the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

See the complete German Marshall Fund of the United States profile

National Endowment for Democracy - Current openings that might be suitable for new grads include Publications Coordinator and Program Assistant for Middle East and North Africa.

See the complete National Endowment for Democracy profile

Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates - Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates is a Washington, DC based corporate communications and public affairs firm that is hiring new grads.

See the complete Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates profile

Council on Foreign Relations - The need for understanding foreign policy isn’t going anywhere, so I think the Council on Foreign Relations is going to continue to be an exciting place to be.

See the complete Council on Foreign Relations profile

Independent Diplomat - Independent Diplomat is a unique foreign relations focused non-profit currently looking for a Program and Development Assistant in their New York City office

See the complete Independent Diplomat profile

World Learning - Right now, World Learning appears to have two entry-level job opportunities available in Washington, DC.

See the complete World Learning profile

Carnegie Corporation of New York - The Carnegie Corporation currently has three job openings. One is definitely entry-level, and another could probably be seen as such for the right person.

See the complete Carnegie Corporation of New York profile

Institute of International Education - Located in NYC, Institute of International Education manages the Fulbright Program, along with 250 other programs worldwide.

See the complete Institute of International Education profile

Check out the latest job and internship postings in foreign relations.

Careers in Foreign Relations

Companies with Entry Level Jobs and Internships in Foreign Relations

See more companies with entry level jobs and internships in foreign relations: