Resources for Careers in International Affairs
The U.S. Department of State, the United Nations, and the World Bank—these organizations are probably familiar to those with an interest in working in international affairs. But what about doing research in a think tank devoted to foreign policy? Or addressing basic needs of those in the non-industrialized world through a career in international development? Or working in a consulting firm helping multinational organizations solve their toughest problems? It is possible to combine an interest in international affairs with many different careers. Be prepared to obtain a graduate degree, as many jobs will require it. Language skills and an understanding and appreciation of world politics, economics, and culturally different values and perspectives are also a must.
Princeton University Fellowship and Summer Experience Programs
These Princeton programs offer students various international experiences in the form of internships/fellowships.
Princeton International Internship Program - http://www.princeton.edu/~iip/
German Summer Work Program -http://www.princeton.edu/german/undergraduate/summer/
Princeton in Asia - http://www.princeton.edu/~pia/
Princeton in Africa - http://www.princeton.edu/~piaf/
Princeton in France - http://www.princeton.edu/iip/pif/
Princeton in Latin America - http://www.princeton.edu/~pila/
Alumni Careers Network
Alumni have VOLUNTEERED to have students contact them for advice and information about majors and careers. The Alumni Careers Network (ACN), with 4,500 volunteers worldwide, is a searchable on-line database of Princeton alumni who are willing and eager for you to contact them so they can provide you with advice and assistance about their industry or career field.
Selected Online Resources
Careers at USAID - http://www.usaid.gov/careers/- The U.S. Agency for International Development administers the foreign economic assistance programs of the U.S. government and provides relief assistance to victims of natural disasters.
Careers in World Affairs - http://www.fpa.org/jobs_contact2423/jobs_contact.htm- Global job board provided by the Foreign Policy Association (http://www.fpa.org/). Thousands of global organizations participate, including NGOs, international nonprofit and relief organizations, think tanks, and policy organizations.
Devex - http://www.devex.com/ - Devex is a community of individuals working in international development, humanitarian relief, and global health. The website offers a job listing, career advice, industry news, and directory.
DevNetJobs - http://www.devnetjobs.org/ - International development and consultancies offer listings on this site, probably more useful to graduate students and alumni. Although some listings are available online and via email, membership is required to gain access to the complete listings available.
Directory of Links to Think Tanks -http://www.carnegieendowment.org/about/library/index.cfm?fa=libtanks- Maintained by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
GoingGlobal - http://ocsweb.princeton.edu/goingglobal/index.php - Career and employment resources include world-wide job openings, internship listings, industry profiles and country-specific career information. Use your NetID and Password to access the database.
International Association of Students in Economics and Commerce (AIESEC) - http://www.aiesec.org/- A university-based, worldwide internship program for student members interested in international business and management.
National Institute for Research Advancement - http://www.policyinnovations.org/index.html -NIRA's World Directory of Think Tanks, indexed by name or by country of origin. Up-to-date information is available at approximately 500 think tanks from 100 countries.
NGO Global Network - http://www.ngo.org/index2.htm - Associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information, NGO Global Network website offers an alphabetical listing of organizations by category.
NGO Worldline - http://www.sover.net/%7Epaulven/ngo.html - A place on the Web for and about the international community of non-governmental organizations (organized by country and region).
OneSite Europe - http://www.euforic.org/detail_page.phtml?page=about_onesite - An online directory of NGOs and development organizations around the world (not just Europe).
ReliefWeb - http://www.reliefweb.int/ - A project of the U.N.’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, this site offers information for the humanitarian relief community including background info on various countries and a job board.
Research Centers in International Relations - http://www.usip.org/library/rcenters.html - The site is indexed by country, and in the United States, by state, provided by the United States Institute of Peace.
Public Sector Careers - http://www.publicsectorcareers.org/ -This site offers listings in the UK for jobs in the public sector.
The Internship Series Online - http://www.internships-usa.com/ - Several publications of interest to those in international affairs, including Internships in International Affairs, Women’s Rights Internships, and Human Rights Internships. Call Career Services (609-258-3325) for User ID and Password.
The NGO Café - http://www.gdrc.org/ngo/ - NGO Café was set up on the Internet as a meeting place for NGOs to discuss, debate and disseminate information on their work, strategies and results.
United Nations Human Resources - https://jobs.un.org/elearn/production/home.html - Internships (for graduate students) and job openings in the United Nations are listed.
U.S. Department of State - http://www.state.gov/ - The site provides information about the department's mission, objectives and current international topics and issues.
Selected Professional Associations
A professional association is an organization of people who have similar career interests. These membership based organizations often offer a reduced rate for students that allows access to the many resources they provide. Professional association websites can also offer job/internship databases as well as opportunities to find mentors or other contacts.
Association for Conflict Resolution - http://www.acrnet.org/ - This association strives to enhance the practice and public understanding of conflict resolution. The website includes professional development information and internship, volunteer, and job (at ACR) opportunities.
International Peace Research Association - http://www.iprafoundation.org/- IPRA is a network of scholars, practitioners, decision-makers from all continents.
Society for International Development - http://www.sidint.org/ - SID is a global forum of individuals and institutions concerned with sustainable economic, social and political development.
United Nation Association of National Capital Area - http://www.unanca.org/ -Striving to support the UN system and the role of the U.S., UNA-NCA organizes a wide range of activities.
United Nation Association of the United States of America - http://www.unausa.org/Page.aspx?pid=220 -The United Nations Association of the United States of America is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to building understanding of and support for the ideals and vital work of the United Nations among American people.
Women in International Security - http://wiis.georgetown.edu/ - WIS is the only global network actively advancing women’s leadership, at all stages of their careers, in the international peace and security field. It offers professional development and networking opportunities.