Careers in International Affairs

By Willy Franzen

Looking for an entry level job or internship in international affairs? 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 cometstarmoon

The field of international affairs studies relationships between countries. A background in international affairs gives you the tools needed to enter a wide variety of careers in the field: government, international organizations, education, business, law, and the nonprofit sector, to name a few. While some international careers, such as international law, require a graduate degree, recent grads have the transferable skills to enter many other international careers, both abroad and in international departments within the United States.

Want a career in international affairs? Start by obtaining direct experience in the field through internships or volunteering, brushing up on a foreign language in your area of specialty, and keeping up with current events in your area of interest.

Companies with Entry Level Jobs and Internships in International Affairs

Global Financial Integrity - Global Financial Integrity is a Washington, D.C. based non-profit that is focused on "curtailing the cross-border flow of illegal money.”

See the complete Global Financial Integrity profile

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

ONE - ONE is a Washington, DC based “grassroots advocacy and campaigning organization that fights extreme poverty and preventable disease."

See the complete ONE 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

Freedom House - If you're up for "opposing tyranny around the world," then a job with Freedom House, based in Washington, D.C., would be a great fit for you!

See the complete Freedom House 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

BodyBuilding.com - If you want to join the growing ranks of BodyBuilding.com employees, check out their Jobs page which includes lots of positions.

See the complete BodyBuilding.com 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

Lloyd’s of London - It’s not often that we feature international companies (mostly because it’s hard to say whether they’ll hire US students), but Lloyd’s of London is just so cool

See the complete Lloyd’s of London 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

Just Vision - If you are drawn to this idea, check out Just Vision’s Jobs page. Right now they’re looking for a Development and Operations Assistant.

See the complete Just Vision profile

Bank Information Center - The Bank Information Center's strategy and mission are reflected in their positions: Latin America Program Assistant and an Africa Program Assistant.

See the complete Bank Information Center profile

Right To Play - Right now, Right to Play’s Jobs page has a number of openings posted. None are explicitly entry level, but there are still a couple worth checking out.

See the complete Right To Play 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

Check out the latest job and internship postings in international affairs.

Careers in International Affairs

Companies with Entry Level Jobs and Internships in International Affairs

See more companies with entry level jobs and internships in international affairs: