Centre for Career and Personal Development Degree Profiles

International Relations studies cross-border interactions between various groups to understand how such interactions affect people, states, regions, and the global community.

Cultural Sensitivity: Develop appreciation for diversity within societies and an understanding of interactions between different communities; historical, economical and geographic international appreciation, work with culturally diverse individuals and communities

Language: Develop written and oral competency in a foreign language; speak and write in more than one language

Problem Solving: Understand historical and contemporary problems; anticipate future challenges. Create and evaluate policy recommendations for global challenges. Creative, responsive and able to find solutions, resolve conflict

Written Communication: Present ideas, apply theoretical framework, develop and support clear ideas and arguments in written form.

Theoretical Understanding: Solid understanding theoretical and philosophical approaches to international relations. Explain and apply theory to historical and contemporary events.

Verbal Communication:  Public speaking and presentation of ideas, issues and events. Defend arguments. Development of rhetorical skills, debating, interpersonal relations, convey complex information to general public. 

Research: Conduct multi-disciplinary research. Understand and apply methodologies from different disciplines. Research and analyze information from a variety of primary and secondary sources. Evaluate strength of research material and results.

Degree Specific: Interest in issues on the global stage; identify contemporary issues and anticipate future issues; understand policy responses and evaluate policy outcomes;  Multidisciplinary focus of subjects in  of specific geography, history, political economics,  political science, culture and anthropology;  Security and strategy, international institutions, organizations and governance. 

Organization: Meet deadlines, organize information and materials, develop paper writing skills

Synthesis and organization of information:  Synthesize large quantities of data, see connections and patterns

Analytical and critical thinking:  Comparative analysis, multidisciplinary research, develop and analyze arguments, critical reasoning and reflection, evaluate policy recommendations and outcomes

Global political issues: Understand the interplay between official policy and general public understanding of that policy

Please note some of these positions may require further training, certification or education. Check out the occupational profiles to review the full details for the occupations that interest you at alis.alberta.ca/occinfo

• AEISEC
• Association for International Affairs
• Canadian Council for International Cooperation
• Canadian International Council 
• Canadian Society for International Health
• Canadian Translators, Terminologists, and Interpreters Council
• Canada World Youth
• Chamber of Commerce - Calgary
• International Strategic Studies Association
• International Studies Association (ISA)
• Royal Society of Canada

Aligned Majors

Global Development Studies

Economics

General Commerce

History 

Formal Career Assessments like the Strong Interest Inventory and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator can be helpful tools for your career development.  These assessments have been used for decades to help individuals choose a major, explore career options during and upon completion of a degree and to further understand yourself in relationship to the world of work.  Inquire with Career Services if you are interested in these formal assessments.

Faculty Contact

Arts Students' Centre
Social Sciences Building, SS102
T: 403.220-6318
E: ascarts@ucalgary.ca
W: arts.ucalgary.ca/advising

Clubs on Campus:
Amnesty International UofC
International Business & Affairs Student Association
International Business Students' Association
International Relations Club

Career Services
MacEwan Student Centre, Room 188
T: 403.220.8020
E: csstdnt@ucalgary.ca
W: ucalgary.ca/careers