How do you want to do International Relations and Political Science
Find your passion, discover your niche and uncover the myriad of career pathways you can walk with your international relations and political science majors.
Specialist skills and capabilities to thrive in international relations and political science careers:
- Cross-Cultural Management
- Knowledge of 'History and Context'
- Negotiation and consensus-building
- Flexibility
- Originality
The Sleuth
Do you love true crime? Do you have a fascination for ‘detective’ work or feel a need to serve and protect states, their data, economies or citizens? Perhaps a career in domestic/international security and threat mitigation is the right thing for you. You might see yourself shaping Australia's foreign policy decisions or working with elite international organisations or top intelligence agencies. The Sleuth is interested in protecting data, information, resources, and culture, territory and human lives, by predicting and analysing a myriad of threats. Governments and the Military, private businesses and NGOs all employ ‘The Sleuth’ to carry out these tasks.
Associated Search Terms:
- Intelligence Analyst/Specialist (Broad Category - see specialisations below)
- Counter-Terrorism Analyst
- Cyber Defence Analyst
- Economic Analysts
- Military Analyst
- Crime and Counternarcotic Analysts
- Foreign Media Analysts
- Political Risk Analyst
- Probation/Parole Officer
- Boarder Force Officer
- Armed Forces Operational Officer
- Economist
Australian Employers
Opportunities exist (or have existed) within:
Employer |
Location |
Royal Australian Air force/ Defence Force |
NSW, QLD, SA, ACT |
Australian Government Department of Defence |
ACT |
Suncorp |
Nation-wide opportunities |
Australian Department of Home Affairs |
ACT, NT, QLD |
NSW Police Force |
Sydney, NSW |
Bank of Queensland |
Brisbane, QLD |
International Employers
Opportunities exist (or have existed) within:
Employer |
Location |
Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), Security Service (MI5), Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) |
United Kingdom |
International Crisis Group |
New Delhi, India |
The Researcher
Do you have a niche interest within politics or international relations? The researcher gathers, analyses and interprets data and opinions to explore issues and forecast trends. The Research assists business, politicians, lawyers and other decision makers by determining what’s on the public’s mind, what policies would work best in a particular context and/ or explain a phenomenon. Perhaps you want to unlock the secrets of the past or assist legislative branches in determining the best laws or amendments to propose. The Researcher has the flexibility to work independently or collaboratively and has the chance to travel regularly throughout their career.
Associated Search Terms:
- Public Opinion Researcher
- Pollster
- Government Social Research Officer
- Historian
- Legal Assistant
- Research Fellow
- Legislative Assistant
- Political Scientist
Australian Employers
Opportunities exist (or have existed) within:
Employer |
Location |
University Faculties |
Nationwide |
Australian Strategic Advisory |
Brisbane, QLD |
Australian Electoral Commission |
Nationwide |
Bureau of Labor Statistics |
Nationwide |
International Employers
Opportunities exist (or have existed) within:
Employer |
Location |
Momenta |
Work from online |
Sierra Club |
Washington DC, USA |
The Political Enthusiast
The Political Enthusiast or the ‘politicophile’ has a fascination with all things politics. This doesn’t necessarily mean they are interested in becoming a politician. Instead, the Political Enthusiast could have an interest in specific or broad aspects of the political arena. This may include working on a political campaign (creating the ‘face’/ persona of a politician), supporting legislative goals or working in public relations and media relations positions. Either way, the political sphere offers a plethora of professions beyond the standard ‘Politician’ and therefore caters to a range of skill sets and interests.
Associated Search Terms:
- Political Campaign Staffer
- Political Scientist
- Political Consultant
- Legislative Aid
- Policy Analyst
- Communications Coordinator
- Media Strategist
- Chief of Staff
- Member of Parliament (could lead to being Prime Minister!)
Australian Employers
Opportunities exist (or have existed) within:
Employer |
Location |
Macquarie Group |
Sydney, NSW |
Chandler Macleod |
Paddington, NSW |
Brisbane City Council |
Brisbane, QLD |
Australian Government Department of Finance |
Canberra, ACT |
International Employers
Opportunities exist (or have existed) within:
Employer |
Location |
European Council on Foreign Relations |
Berlin, Germany |
Mutant Communications |
Singapore |
The Linguist
The Linguist is the master of persuasion. There’s immense power in getting people to see things your way and if you’re already a pro at winning arguments - perhaps against your family or peers at University - then your persuasion skills can translate into a lucrative career. The Linguist has excellent written and verbal communication skills, social skills and is emotive, creative and can understand and engage with a variety of perspectives. The Linguist can work in diverse fields, such economics, law, education and foreign affairs.
Associated Search Terms:
- Diplomat/Diplomacy
- Consular officer
- Economic officer
- Management officer
- Political Affairs officer
- Public Diplomacy officer
- Political Social Media Manager
- Lobbyist
- Legal Aid Officer
- Political Marketer/Campaign Consultant
- International Lawyer
- International Communication Specialist
- Political Correspondent
- Higher Education Lecturer
Australian Employers
Opportunities exist (or have existed) within:
Employer |
Location |
Brisbane City Council |
Brisbane, QLD |
Australian Government Department of Finance |
Canberra, ACT |
American Consulate - MSS |
Melbourne, VIC |
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade |
ACT |
Herbert Smith Freehills |
Sydney, NSW |
International Employers
Opportunities exist (or have existed) within:
Employer |
Location |
Hawker Britton, Barton Deaken, Bespoke Approach, Barker Wentworth |
Worldwide |
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Consular Services/Australian High Commission |
UK, Asia, USA |
The Policy Professional
Policy professionals formulate appropriate public policy response, and articulate and implement policy decisions in state and federal government, NGOs and private corporations. They are experts at negotiating competing interests, identifying gaps and thinkng ahead. Policy professionals can specialise in almost anything, making it an attractive and personally rewarding career path. There is tremendous satisfaction to be derived from seeing policy work play out over the longer term.
Associated Search Terms:
- Policy Analyst
- Policy Officer/Manager/Advisor (in sectors tackling Climate Change, Economic and Gender Inequality, Development and Aid or domestic issues such as Transport)
- Human Resources Specialist/Coordinator/Manager
- International Banking Officer
- Civil Servant
- NGO Training Coordinator
Australian Employers
Opportunities exist (or have existed) within:
Employer |
Location |
Medical Technology Association Australia |
Sydney, NSW |
Chandler Macleod Group |
Sydney, NSW |
Department of the Treasury |
ACT, VIC, NSW |
International Employers
Opportunities exist (or have existed) within:
Employer |
Location |
Scope Global |
Naru |
Pacific Community |
Fiji |
United Nations Development Programme |
Work online |
The Activist/Advocate
The Activist/Advocate is driven by a deep desire to promote, direct or intervene in political, social, environmental or economic reform. Work in this sector is diverse and continuously evolving and changing as issues are solved and as new unexpected human tragedies arise or changes of ministers or elections roll through. This fluid environment is attractive to those who crave spontaneity in a job. Jobs in activism don’t have to follow the traditional path of organising protests, they can also work for/with political or issue-based campaigns as paid staff or in NGOs as aid workers. On the other hand, the work of an Advocate centres more on representing a person or a group of people to plead their case, or write in support of something. This may include in writing books, creating documentaries or liaising with government or business officials or representing individuals in court.
Associated Search Terms:
- Foreign Aid Worker/International Development Worker
- Bilateral Aid
- Multilateral Aid
- Tied Aid
- Project Aid
- Military Aid
- Voluntary Aid
- Social Activist
- Political Activist
- Social Worker
- Legislative Aide
- International Lawyer
Australian Employers
Opportunities exist (or have existed) within:
Employer |
Location |
Unilever Australasia |
Sydney, NSW |
Amnesty International Australia |
Perth, SA |
Grand Pacific Health |
ACT |
The Royal Children's Hospital |
Melbourne, VIC |
International Employers
Opportunities exist (or have existed) within:
Employer |
Location |
Syrian Centre for Policy Research; International Crisis Group; Centre for Conflict, Negotiation and Recovery, United Nations |
Variety of internationally based positions |
International Federation of Social Workers |
Asia and Pacific |
This page was created through a HASS Student Futures Student Staff Partnership.
Student Partner
Isabella is currently a third year student studying a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in International Relations. She is passionate about ensuring HASS students are well-informed about the plethora of career paths available to them and the variety of skill sets they have acquired, and are acquiring throughout their degrees that can be applicable to a broad range of careers. Isabella is excited about collaborating with students and staff on her first student-staff Partnership Project.
Staff Partner
Locky is the Career Development Learning Advisor for the HASS Faculty who studied many history units as part of his BA majoring in Politics and International Relations. It's Locky's mission to help HASS students recognise and articulate their capabilities, and plan for their future career.