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International Studies

Major Information

The B.A. in International Studies is designed to provide an interdisciplinary social science background for careers both inside and outside the United States. Students choose one emphasis from the following: Development, Aid, and Sustainability; Security, Conflict and Diplomacy; and Societies, Cultures, and Traditions. Each of the three tracks focuses on different types of careers: “Development, Aid, and Sustainability” is focused on humanitarian non-profit work, “Security, Conflict and Diplomacy” prepares students for governmental national security careers, and “Societies, Cultures and Traditions” is meant for students thinking about careers in education and communication, as well as academic careers.  

Students become highly proficient in understanding global affairs through studying various disciplines of International Studies and their basic concepts, and becoming knowledgeable about cultures, histories, and political economies of regions outside the United States, and also by acquiring a second language and experiencing another culture by studying or working abroad.

General Information

Degree(s) Offered:

  • Bachelor of Arts in International Studies

Sample Occupations

  • Customs Inspector
  • Diplomat
  • Economist
  • Editor
  • English Teacher
  • FBI/Secret Service/ Special Agent
  • Foreign Affairs Analyst
  • Foreign Exchange Trader
  • Immigration Specialist
  • Intelligence Analyst
  • Intelligence Specialist
  • International Lawyer
  • International Relations Officer
  • International Trade Economist
  • Journalist
  • Labor Economist
  • Labor Relations Manager
  • Language Specialist
  • Market Research Analyst
  • News Analyst
  • Political Risk Analyst
  • Political Scientist
  • Reporter/ Correspondent
  • Social Service Manager/Director

Sample Work Settings

  • Agency for International Development
  • Amnesty International
  • Armed Forces
  • Bureau of Int. Labor Affairs
  • Business & Industrial Org.
  • CIA
  • Cooperation Agency
  • Cultural Organizations
  • Customs Service
  • Dept. of Commerce
  • Dept. of State
  • Educational Institutions
  • Fed/State Gov. Agencies
  • Hotels/Resorts
  • International Banks
  • International Development
  • International Trade Commission
  • Libraries
  • Multinational Firms
  • Museums
  • National Security Council
  • Newspapers, Journals, Radio, TV
  • Non-Profit Organizations
  • Peace Corps
  • Publishing Firms
  • Telecommunications Broadcasting Companies
  • United Nations
  • US Information Agency

Sample Employers

  • AFLAC
  • Allegis Global Solutions
  • American Express
  • China Institute
  • Education First Teachers
  • Georgia Southern University
  • GEICO
  • Insight Global
  • J-1 Visa Exchanges, Inc.
  • MONUSCO
  • Peace Corps
  • United Nations
  • U.S. Department of Defense 
  • U.S. Department of Justice
  • U.S. Department of State
  • U.S. House of Representatives

Connecting Majors, Skills, and Occupations

  • View learning outcomes associated with your major in the Georgia Southern Undergraduate Catalog:

Georgia Southern Academic Catalog

  • Explore the connection between occupations and skills in O*Net:

www.onetonline.org

  • Use Handshake to upload your résumé and explore internships and jobs. For more information:

www.georgiasouthern.edu/ocpd

Internet Resources

To explore values, interests, and skills:

FOCUS 2 bit.ly/focuscareer

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) – $15

Self Directed Search – $15

http://students.georgiasouthern.edu/career/s tudents/assessments/

To explore occupational outlooks and salaries:

National Compensation Survey

www.bls.gov/ncs/

National Association of College and Employers  (NACE) 

http://www.naceweb.org/salary resources/index.aspx 

Professional Organizations

American Foreign Service Association

www.afsa.org

American Translators Association

www.atanet.org

Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy

www.imtd.org

National Foreign Trade Council

www.nftc.org

Georgia Southern Student Organizations

  • Political Science Club
  • Student Alliance of International Affairs
  • Model UN
  • Model Arab League
  • Model African Union

Résumé Tips

  • Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (include concentration areas)
  • Include any study abroad experience.
  • Include language skills.
  • Include internships and research experience. 

Last updated: 6/25/2015