The International Studies major draws upon the faculty and courses of the Department of Global, International, and Area Studies , as well as a number of other departments, and is structured to give students skills and knowledge to understand and analyze societies outside the United States in the context of the rapidly changing and increasingly interdependent world. By integrating courses on world affairs from a variety of disciplines, the program allows students interested in studying other cultures and societies to focus attention across traditional disciplinary boundaries. International Studies is of particular value to those with career objectives in government, law, journalism, teaching, business, trade, or military service. It also serves those who will seek employment with international organizations such as the United Nations or with non-governmental agencies with an international or cross-cultural focus.
International Studies graduates work for employers such as local, state, and federal governments; international organizations; private sector businesses; nonprofit organizations; colleges and universities; elementary and secondary schools; think tanks; the military; newspapers and magazines; law firms; financial institutions; public relations firms; and the travel industry. They also find careers as foreign service officers, policy analysts, international trade specialists, diplomats, United Nations staffers, lobbyists, intelligence specialists, translators/interpreters, US Customs officers, cultural liaisons, journalists, business managers, government or business consultants, ESL administrators/instructors, professors, teachers, travel/tourism promoters, military officers, and missionaries.