Yesterday I entered a class and spent some quality time with students present there. We were chatting and discussing various topics and all were going with the flow and then are chatting headed towards careers. I happened to ask them what they plan to do in future, and I was amazed by the different responses I got. Some said diplomacy and foreign service. Some wanted to work for international organizations, and some even answered their liking towards government and public service, nonprofit and non-government organizations. And then there were enthusiasts who wished to work as international business and trade professionals. And some even showed their inclination towards journalism and media, and some even wanted to go for research. And I was amazed at the diversity of career options in one single class. So I asked them, what's the common thread? What this class is on? And then came the answer. International relations. And I'm sure you'd be interested in knowing more about it, as some of you might be studying the subject and some might be preparing for it. So today in my special career series, this week, it will be international relations. So please bring in your pen and paper and note down all the knowledge. Until then, I shall wait for you. Hello all. And today the topic is international relations. It's a versatile degree that provides career opportunities in law, trade, diplomacy, security, marketing, and much more. Students will study disciplines like political science, history, anthropology, sociology, and economics. And if you're interested in traveling, working and living abroad, international relations is a good degree. International relations is the study of the relationships between countries that includes a huge range of subjects such as foreign policy, trade, diplomacy, and war. International relations also study the many actors involved such as governments, intergovernment organizations, corporations and NGOs. And because the term, which is also called international affairs, is so broad, it includes disciplines as diverse as economics, sociology, religious studies, and more. But when you study in an international relations degree as an undergrad, you will take classes from a wide range of disciplines. You take classes in international relations, political science, economics, anthropology, history, comparative literature, sociology, and more. All programs are a mix of required courses, usually on the theory and practice of international relations, and a range of electives. International relations students also need to study languages and may be required to spend a year abroad. So that is one more silver lining. And after graduation, many students continue their education and get a master's degree in international relations. This opens up your job opportunities and eligibility for higher level jobs. Most programs take around two years, although you may be able to finish earlier or take courses part-time while you work. Master's programs don't look too different from undergrad, so you'll also need to choose a specialization in a field like law, security, trade, business, and so on. And one added factor that language proficiency is an important piece of a master's degree. And you'll likely know at least one of the six official UN languages. And what are they? French, English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian. And during the first year, many programs focus on careers or courses. The second year is also dedicated to the digitation. And as you complete an international relations degree, you learn about a range of topics. But what skills are you gaining? Many of the skills are transferable, which is another reason why an international relations degree is a good choice. And the three the most useful are first critical thinking. Because international relations programs deal with different theories, lots of information, multiple disciplines, and big questions about peace, war, diplomacy, and so on. And students must sharpen their critical thinking skills to be successful. Even if you don't go on to a career, specifically in international relations, critical thinking skills are desirable in every career. Then comes the second one that is the good research skills. Now, international relations degree programs involve a lot of research. It's more than just looking at lots of information. However, the field works with many types of research methods, and as a student, you learn what these methods are and where they are best applied and their strengths and weaknesses. So you'll also learn how to identify good sources from books, academic journals, databases, government websites, and much more. And many jobs require the skills associated with good research, such as goal setting, data analysis, attention to detail, time management, and clear communication. And then we come to the third skill that is good cross-cultural communication. Now, culture is often talked about in context of geography, ethnicity, and religion. And when people come from different cultures, it can cause misunderstandings and conflict. And when communication is improved, diversity has significant benefits. So cross-culture communication is a bedrock of international relations. More and more organizations today want job candidates with cultural awareness and sensitivity, adaptability, patience, and a commitment to creating supportive, inclusive environments. And there can be multiple career paths for following this field. Now let's assume class 11th and 12th, though it can be done through any stream, but of course, preferable is humanities. Then you will follow it up with bachelor's in political science. And finally, you can do masters in political science or international relations. Now one can also do postgraduate diploma in international relations. Now there are several career categories you can explore with an international relations degree, but the main factor is how much you earn. Now that depends on factors like how much education you have, experience, the job entails, or who employs you or where the job is located. Now to give you a clear idea of what your career could look like. Now here seven job descriptions and their average salaries as per the US job market. First, political consultant, like the average salary is around $35,000. International policy analyst, $76,000. Diplomatic agent or foreign service officers, the national average is around $97,000. Then international marketing manager $99,000. Once again, national average is $70,000. Language specialist around $51,000. An international lawyer around $85,000. And talking about if working in India, it ranges around 2 to 5 lakhs per month after you gain experience. Now this information is just to guide you on different careers. But I'll still insist on choosing a career in consultation with a career consultant. And if you can't find one, connect with me. I shall help you out. Please stay away from your uncles, aunts, and neighbors for this decision. They look good in family functions only, not while choosing a career. So I hope you find this podcast useful. If yes, please subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Spotify, and Google Podcasts to get notified. All my podcasts are around 10 to 15 minutes, so they're short and crisp. You can also subscribe to my YouTube channel, BrainEx Edutech. I would request all of you to please write comments and give feedback. This also helps in our learnings and we get to prepare content that is most required by our viewers and listeners. 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