Careers

Our graduates are well positioned to take jobs in fields related to International Development and Humanitarian Assistance around the world. Not only do graduates have the cross-cultural competencies and experience learning another language to thrive in an international setting, many have also gained relevant work experience through research with professors and local and international internships. They are ready to work for local or international non-governmental organizations, service-delivery agencies, and the United Nations.

• Examples of jobs and employers reported by International Studies alumni:
• Program coordinator (financial services in Africa/Asia), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Monitoring & Evaluation Coordinator of Global Programs, PATH
• Research and Impact Officer, Global Partnerships
• Academic Services Manager, Vietnamese Friendship Association

“Something  that was stressed often throughout my International Studies courses was learning from multiple perspectives. Whether it was discussing comparative politics or writing a literature review for my honors thesis, it was important to capture the full picture from all angles. This is something that I strive to do everyday. For me to be an effective advocate for my clients when they apply for humanitarian relief, it is necessary to remember that my clients have grown up in a completely different environment than my own, with a unique culture and set of values.”  Emi Montenegro, International Studies Graduate, Paralegal at non-profit, The Door

As an International Studies graduate, you will develop a broad historical and cultural knowledge to engage in critical international conversations to pursue a more just and humane world. Whether you work as a Foreign Service officer or as a local policy analyst, your political, economic, and language skills gained in the International Studies program will help you find a meaningful and successful career.

Examples of jobs and employers reported by International Studies alumni

• Assistant Director (security and strategy), The Brookings Institute
• Analyst (Doing Business Team), World Bank
• Foreign Service Officer (Beijing, China), U.S. State Department
• Country Officer, U.S. Department of State
• Policy Analyst/Program Manager, City and County of San Francisco

"Every day, I am presented with vast amounts of information which I must quickly analyze to make decisions that could impact the national security of the United States. The interdisciplinary nature of International Studies prepared me to look at this data with a variety of lenses- political, economic, historical, socio-cultural- that allow me to develop a richer and more comprehensive analysis and ultimately make better decisions." Kraig Cook International Studies Graduate, Vice Consul, U.S. Consulate General, Krakow, Poland

In the International Studies program, you gain a broad historical and cultural knowledge and problem- solving skills to be able to effectively work with a variety of people and to work well in teams. As part of the program, you study abroad for one term and learn a second language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese or Spanish) to further your ability to work with people from different cultures and backgrounds.

Examples of jobs and employers reported by International Studies alumni

• Director of Sales & Marketing, Alaska Airlines 
• Manager of Guest Relations, Windstar Cruises
• Global Guest Services Manager, TCS World Travel
• Senior Proposal Writer, Egencia Global Business Travel
• Project and Operations Manager, Trek Travel
• Human Resources, Booking.com

As an International Studies graduate, your knowledge of historical, political, social and cultural contexts can give you an edge in an international business environment. The program prepares you for more successful interactions with counterparts locally and around the world, making you a highly valued team member and future leader.

Examples of jobs and employers reported by International Studies alumni

• Vice President (Relationship Manager), West Bank
• Manager (Marketing & Business Development), Alaska Airlines
• Program Manager (Human Resources – Americas/India), Amazon
• Internal Investigations Analyst, Expedia
• Adventure guide, Trek Travel

My educational background has definitely helped me in my career thus far. As part of my job, I need to be able to synthesize vast amounts of information from different sources into a cohesive picture. Being able to communicate effectively is a vital skill in any career, and the courses in the International Studies program gave me plenty of opportunities to hone that skill. David Lin International Studies Graduate, 

As an International Studies graduate, your knowledge of historical, political, social and cultural contexts can give you an edge in an international business environment. The program prepares you for more successful interactions with counterparts locally and around the world, making you a highly valued team member and future leader.

Examples of jobs and employers reported by International Studies alumni

• Vice President (Relationship Manager), West Bank
• Manager (Marketing & Business Development), Alaska Airlines
• Program Manager (Human Resources – Americas/India), Amazon
• Internal Investigations Analyst, Expedia
• Adventure guide, Trek Travel

"My educational background has definitely helped me in my career thus far. As part of my job, I need to be able to synthesize vast amounts of information from different sources into a cohesive picture. Being able to communicate effectively is a vital skill in any career, and the courses in the International Studies program gave me plenty of opportunities to hone that skill." David Lin, Financial Analyst, Security Properties, International Studies Graduate

In the International Studies program, you hone your written and oral communication skills, providing you access to a wealth of communication-focused careers. Importantly, your sensitivity to cultural differences and your understanding of context enable you to be more audience-aware, empathetic, and adaptable in how you communicate with others.

Examples of jobs and employers reported by International Studies alumni

• Associate Producer, The Futuro Media Group
• Program & Communications Associate, Seattle International Foundation
• Communication & policy analyst, Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice

The International Studies program gives you the foundations to practice law with a global perspective to work with diverse populations here and abroad. From advising on international trade to promoting human rights, from negotiating transnational business deals to prosecuting war crimes, there is a pervasive global dimension to the work of lawyers, judges, and legal scholars. If you want more information to prepare for Law School and legal careers, contact Pre-Law Advising. 

Examples of jobs and employers reported by International Studies alumni

• Paralegal Analyst, U.S. Department of State
• Business Lawyer, Staterra Law
• Attorney, Dellino Law Group

Ryan holds a law degree from the University of Washington, and he finds his job interesting because he gets to research and keep up to date with various issues that affect people across the state. He states that "The International Studies program helped prepare me to perform objective analyses on a variety of topics by expanding my ability to consider and understand different perspectives in both the local and global contexts." Ryan Giannini , Associate Staff Counsel, Washington State Senate, International Studies Graduate

Examples of jobs and employers reported by International Studies alumni

• SUN School Coordinator, Latino Network
• Elementary School Teacher, South Kitsap School District
• Teacher, University Child Development School

Interested in planning for a career in teaching? Find more information here.

Examples of jobs and employers reported by International Studies alumni

• Clinical social worker, Swedish Hospital
• Health Educator, San Luis Obispo County Community Action Partnership

"My International Studies undergraduate degree taught me how to critically examine the impacts of my work and of the profession - a necessity in working within social work systems. I was drawn to social work because it is a broad field, yet remains intrinsically focused on the principle of challenging social injustice." Karina Smyth, Associate Clinical Social Worker, Family Health Care Network, Inc., CA, International Studies Graduate

For many of our alumni, graduate school is the next step in their career trajectory. We prepare our students to apply for international fellowships, graduate and professional school, and fulfilling volunteer opportunities.

“The International Studies program's holistic curriculum was invaluable in being able to succeed in an international affairs graduate program. Although I tended to focus largely on global business and economics both at Seattle University and at Georgetown, being able to navigate and fit various economic policy options into different historical, social, cultural, and political contexts has been a key to success, not only in a graduate program, but also in a successful career.” Chris Clem International Studies Grad 2013

International Studies alums are pursuing advanced degrees at the following universities:

• American University, International Economic Relations
• University of London: International Relations
• City University of New York: Journalism
• Claremont University: Global Public Health
• Georgetown University: Asian Studies
• George Washington University: Law
• John Hopkins University: International Economics
• New York University: Law
• Trinity College: International Peace Studies
• University of California–Berkeley: Law
• University of California–San Francisco: Nursing
• University of Washington: Public Administration
• Yale University: Anthropology