What is the Scope of International Relations in Pakistan in 2024?

Being an International Relations student in Pakistan isn’t easy, as everybody expects you to become a doctor, or engineer, or join other technical fields. It becomes even more difficult if you don’t know about the scope of the program you chose.?

There are thousands of current and former IR students across the country and every major university has a dedicated department. It’s an interesting, broad discipline with several related fields and subfields.?

But does IR even have a scope in 2024??

Are there any career options available for IR students?

Good news, there is good scope for you. But the catch is, an IR degree doesn’t come with a guaranteed job. As a Pakistani student, you should know what you can do with this degree before choosing it.?

Read on to find out (also, your elders are gonna ask you about it, so better prepare now!)??

What is International Relations?

International Relations (IR) is the study of the relationships between states as well as their interactions with international governmental organizations (IGOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).?

Mainly focused on politics among states, IR is the broadest field in the social sciences. It incorporates topics from politics & diplomacy, economics, environmental studies, military & security, history, communication, and many more.

The subjects covered in international relations are foreign policy, great power politics, defence and security, history, human rights, international law, and climate change, among others.

What Are the Career Options for IR Students in Pakistan?

As an International Relations graduate, you have a wide range of career options.?

Although there's no specific job that requires an IR degree, there are some misconceptions about it, such as the idea that one can become an ambassador with an IR degree.?

In reality, IR graduates can pursue careers in education, civil services, military, public administration, NGOs, IGOs, media, think tanks, and foreign services like embassies.?

Let's explore the various career paths available to IR graduates.

Academia

During their bachelor's, students learn academic writing and research methods that help in pursuing careers in think tanks and the education sector.?

Your IR degree establishes your expertise to write, publish, and teach relevant topics. This can help you work with leading universities where you can share your knowledge and expertise.

Or, you can get a job at research institutes or think tanks. They work on real-world problems (social & state issues) and bring stakeholders together for resolution.

However, developing a career in academia is a long-term commitment. It requires you to continue higher studies till Ph.D. Plus, you’ll have to write and publish a lot.?

Government Sector?

With an IR degree, you are naturally positioned to serve the government in various roles and positions. It provides a deep understanding of policies.

IR graduates can find relevant jobs in:?

• All government institutions and ministries (mainly foreign affairs)
• The armed forces?
• Government-sponsored agencies, organizations, & projects

All these institutions are frequently in contact with many local and foreign actors. An IR graduate who understands the world at large is better suited for these roles.

Social Work and International Development

There is a huge scope in the social work, advocacy, and development sectors for IR students.?

Causes such as sustainable development, food security, and human rights require educated talent. That’s why global NGOs (like the WWF) and International organizations seek out and collaborate with IR graduates on their projects and initiatives.

Media and Communications

Diplomacy, communications, and thinking strategically are a huge part of IR courses. This provides students a comparative advantage in the media and communications industry.

You can get employed by:

• Media organizations
• Communication and PR Departments?
• Businesses looking for media outreach

These are ever-expanding, fast-changing fields where you specialize and scale your skills for a high-paying job.?

Business and Marketing

Yes, even though it sounds far-fetched, IR students can get into the entrepreneurship and marketing fields.?

That’s because IR courses offer subjects like International Trade, Economics, and Entrepreneurship. These subjects help you to understand the market and apply your knowledge to scale businesses.?

IR For CSS Aspirants

If you are a CSS aspirant, pursuing IR is a good option.

You can’t become a professional diplomat by graduating with an IR degree. You need to clear the CSS exams for entering foreign service.?

However, studying international relations certainly helps you prepare for CSS and improves your chances. Most IR programs in Pakistan include courses that are optional or essential in CSS exams.

Should I choose IR as my degree?

A BS IR degree would help you develop knowledge and skills for a diverse range of careers.? However, you should know that IR is not a required degree for any job or career except for academia.?

Remember, you should have a personal interest in the subject if you want to succeed with it.

Here’s what you should keep in mind:

• An IR education can improve your chances to get into the careers discussed above, but it’s not required.
• IR is a generic field that covers a wide range of topics and subjects. You have to narrow down your interests and choose a specialization later on.
• Most IR programs teach essential skills required by the job market. E.g. writing, research, critical thinking, communication skills, and management.

In short, due to its generic nature, IR is a safe option. You will have a lot of room to find your preferred career choice.