Securing international relations internships requires high grades and may require foreign language skills. Opportunities exist in government agencies, non-profit organizations, and the private sector. The CIA offers internships in international relations, and internships can also focus on technology, marketing, and administration.
The parameters for securing internships in international relations are a little more stringent than in other pockets of the workforce. In some cases, employers place the same or similar expectations on students that are asked of employees. Certainly, students must maintain the highest possible grade point averages to obtain one of these competitive assignments. Foreign language skills may not be a requirement, but will certainly serve interns well in international assignments. Opportunities may arise in government agencies, not-for-profit organizations and across the international private sector.
Government agencies may offer internships in international relations. In the US, for example, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), which is an independent federal agency that uses intelligence to protect the country’s security, offers programs to students. During an assignment with a government agency, an intern can learn first-hand about foreign policy in the country and may very well be financially compensated for the assignment.
Demands are likely to be high on an internship with a top intelligence agency, and students may be required to commit to more than just a summer program. Some of the majors that can coincide with CIA international relations internships are human resources, finance, and business administration. Other areas of focus may include foreign language, political science and foreign affairs, according to the CIA’s website.
International relations internships can also be found at non-profit organizations. These institutions may include think tank organizations that seek to combine ideas from different segments of the economy and from other sectors to examine external relations as a whole. A student intern cannot be financially compensated for this type of task, except for the possibility of a grant, but the experience can still be quite valuable. It is also possible that the location of the internship is in the region where the student lives. Not all international relations internships take place abroad.
Students seeking opportunities in international relations can specialize in a variety of disciplines, including technology and marketing. Opportunities exist that allow interns to use the latest Internet technology to create marketing material that is disseminated globally. Technology experts or others can be involved in interpreting the effectiveness of an international marketing campaign through web usage, patterns and trends.
Administration is another area for internships in international relations. Interns may be responsible for organizing live and Internet meetings between executives, as well as coordinating and attending events. Meanwhile, interns gain industry connections and learn about timely issues facing external relations.
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