Careers in International Affairs Prof. Raymond Kuo

Outline Understanding the Market Marketable Skills Building Experience The Application Process General

Understanding the Market Economic: Trade, investment Development: Aid, economic vs. political Advocacy: Human rights, environment, communications, public relations Defense: Military, consulting Academic: Think tanks, FFRDC, RA positions during college

Marketable Skills Administration and logistics Language Math, Accounting Foreign experience (travel, work, family) Analysis (research)

Implications for Coursework Study abroad! Math, languages, economics, history

Other Important Skills Administration and logistics Technical: know the standards, do them fast Writing, especially funding proposals

Implications for College Student organizations (in absence of or addition to internships) Meeting deadlines for profs writing your recommendations Hone writing skills, particularly different styles of writing

Building Experience Internships are essential Take advantage of NYC Hiring cycles, election years

Building Experience Early Career –Generalist –Identify broad area you are interested in, then apply broadly

The Application Process Don’t take rejection personally Keys: –Cover Letter and Resume  Interview –Think of process backwards: Start with job, then with interview, then with application –Resume: ONE PAGE CVs are ONLY for academics

Resumes and Cover Letters “Strategic” writing –Concise –Highlight important points first –Tailored to audience –Readability (no fancy formatting tricks) –ONE PAGE!

The Interview “Tell me about yourself” Behavioral interviewing Gotcha questions Grapefruit questions Reference your resume

Advanced Degrees Don’t get it immediately Consider your career transition point

Networking “Strategic” networking Offer something in return (ideally) Informational interviews

Security Clearance Budget extra time (at least 6 months) Hold onto it

International Institutions Really hard to get positions Non-Americans generally at advantage Poor HR

In Sum Develop marketable skills, international experience Follow passions, specialization Hold off on graduate degrees for a time Carpe diem!