Career pathways and opportunities for Global Affairs majors
Considering a degree in Global Affairs? Here, you’ll find information on common career paths, types of employers that hire in the field, and the in-demand skills you’ll develop as a Global Affairs major. You’ll also learn steps you can take as a Global Affairs student to maximize career opportunities.
The study of Global Affairs prepares you for jobs that involve people skills and an understanding of cultural differences.
- the interconnectedness, difference, and diversity of a global society, including the ways global issues are influenced by individual or collective responsibilities within a global society
- the global nature of local problems, issues, ideas, and actions
- the substantive issues within world regions and cross-cutting global themes offered in Global Affairs concentrations, including major concepts and theories used in concentrations to investigate, analyze, or make predictions
- Act with a global mindset: Apply values, ethics, identity, social justice perspective, intercultural skills, and sense of responsibility to decision-making
- Design, use, or maintain databases and software applications, such as geographic information systems (GIS) mapping and artificial intelligence tools
- Articulate the global nature of local problems, issues, ideas, and actions
- Recognize and integrate multiple perspectives and positions in devising analytical, practical, or creative responses to global issues
- Use major concepts and theories used in Global Affairs to investigate, analyze, or make predictions about substantive issues within world regions and cross-cutting global
- Develop and test theories about substantive regional and global issues, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources
- International Business (management, marketing, advertising)
- International or economic development
- Policy-making and analysis
- News, journalism
- Human Rights
- Diplomacy, peacekeeping, civil service, and foreign service work with overseas aid agencies, intelligence and law enforcement agencies
- Law
To best prepare to enter or advance in your career field of interest, prioritize gaining specialized knowledge and experiences most valued by employers. This might include internships, on- or off-campus jobs, research experience, a minor, or a certification.
- Become fluent in a second or third language.
- Study or intern abroad through Mason’s Global Education Office. Seek an international internship to demonstrate your ability to work in a different country
- Intern or volunteer at relevant social service agencies to gain experience and demonstrate interest if you want to be involved with human services.
- Apply to the Global Politics Fellows program at Mason for on-the-job training in transnational or international fields through approved internship programs
- Complete Mason's Clearance Ready program to learn about the background investigation and security clearance process
- Join the Patriot Pre-Law Program if you hope to apply to law school