International Relations, known in some places as International Affairs, is a liberal arts course of study that does not, like so many other liberal art courses, give a direct entry into a specific field but equips the graduate with a broad knowledge base that can be used to pursue excellent careers in a variety of related occupations.

Most universities in Nigeria that offer History and International Relations offer it as a 4 year course with course work including likely subjects such as political science, economics, sociology etc. This equips a graduate of History & International Relations with the tools to pursue careers in diverse fields.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of history and international relations in Nigeria generally can take up careers in three major areas;
– Public Sector (Government)
– Private Sector
– Non Profit/NGO

Public Sector

History and International Relations graduates can pursue meaningful careers in government institutions in various capacities. We list some careers one can take up in the public sector as an History and International Relations graduate. The list is by no means exhaustive.

– Research Assistants and Specialists (in National Assembly, government agencies etc)
– Legislator (local, state and federal houses)
– Constituency Officers (working in constituency offices of state and federal legislators)
– Congressional Staffers (work as part of administrative support personnel, public relations staff etc working in the legislative area, conducting research, preparing background reports, drafting bills, following legislation, and arranging for expert testimony.)
– Foreign Service/Diplomatic Corps (work in embassies, foreign affairs and diplomatic missions of the Federal government)
– Political Scientist (in agencies, parastatals etc)

Private Sector
– Management Consulting
– Investment Advisors (work with investment firms , advise on International related business, conduct international research etc)
– Journalist/Foreign Correspondent (work with news agencies and publications covering one or two international angles)
– Political Scientist/Risk Analyst (work for investment firms, insurance companies, conglomerates etc in collating and analysis of political risks in given countries or location prior to making investment and business decisions in such locations)
– Corporate Lobbyist (work for local and international businesses lobbying for favourable legislations and laws affecting your organisation’s line of business. This is a growing career opportunity)

Non Profit/NGO

– Relief Coordinator (work with local and international relief agencies)
– Fundraiser
– Risk Advisor
– International Educator
– Non Profit Management (run, or head key departments of non-profit institutions)
– Peace and Conflict Resolution (work in local and international agencies focused on resolving conflicts and promoting international peace)
– Think Tank/Scholars
– Law & Human Rights (pursue a career in international law and human rights)

There are some more careers any graduate of History and International Relations can pursue which may cut across the above mentioned three broad areas;

– Archivist
– Demographer
– Diplomat
– Foreign Affairs Analyst/Specialist (could work in NGOs, International and local media etc)
– Immigration Specialist
– Journalist
– Language Specialist
– Market Research Analyst
and so on


Source: @ngcareers

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