International Affairs Careers in NYC? (Boston, Clinton: school, salary, live)

[grapico]

Hi guys,

I am doing a masters in international affairs. I was wondering what types of careers in this I could find in NYC. I know there is the UN and CFR there but not really huge and hard to get in UN... but, I guess it could work. What else is there in NYC for these kind of jobs? I know I am going to relocate after I am done, but I'm not sure where... I know that many of the jobs with this are in DC and embassies, but was hoping there might be more economic jobs in NYC... and pretty sure there is a consulate for about every country there too...

I am focusing on Economics, International Relations and Urban Planning.

Also, I have about 6 years experience in IT (Database stuff) so jobs doing that with foreign policy/economics would be excellent...

I have lived in Chicago before... and although DC seems cool, I think I might miss that "BIG" city feel if I were to go there (not hating on DC...and might end up there too *laugh*)

Basically does NYC offer as much as DC in terms of jobs? How does it compare, and what are the major employers... I imagine there are some banks there that Rate foreign countries... but not sure which.

Thanks in advance!

[Viralmd]

You could try some non-profit groups or organizations such as the Clinton Foundation.

[grapico]

Yeah although it might be more fulfilling... NFP's traditionally don't pay that well, though I am sure there are a few exceptions. Before I was working for a company and doing NFP on the side... unless an NFP paid out a good salary then... I'll still probably do the same again.

I am looking on the lines of economics type jobs for rating international countries and investing, having an IT twist would be cool too such as economic modeling through databases. I know a lot of consulates have these departments within them, key is, getting in there!

[Viralmd]

Right now there are thousands (literally) of people here out of work with your qualifications and more. Plus, they're already in NYC. The competition for a spot is tough at the best of times, but right now it's even worse.

[grapico]

Yeah its definitely tough everywhere though, so, no real difference where you are I guess. Won't be there until probably 2012 though so... it has some time to recover. If it doesn't it won't really matter because we will all be screwed.

[Henna]

Make an appointment with your school's career services office early on during your masters program. Attend their networking, resume workshops, mock interviews or whatever they offer. Check the alumni database for alums of your program who are in careers that you think sound interesting and ask them for a SHORT informational interview on the phone (15 minutes).

If your school doesn't offer these things and you haven't started the program yet, you may want to re-think your choice.

[grapico]

Hi Henna,

Yeah pretty sure they have these, and yes I have not started yet, I am starting in the Fall School is down in Florida though so... although I'm quite sure they have career information, a lot of it is local and regionally oriented and I am just not at all interested in staying
I've actually been in IT for 6 years and doing a career change into a diff masters program focusing on international economics.

[clevedark]

Maybe you can find some kind of post-grad program in NYC (or elsewhere) that will help you get your foot in the door. For example, in a different industry, there is a summer program in book publishing that takes place in Denver. It's very well respected and grads are recruited by the top publishers. Or at least it WAS, ten years ago when I was up on the latest and greatest in the industry.

Don't forget about Oxfam in Boston! I think Boston has mountains of these kinds of agencies....

[grapico]

Originally Posted by clevedark

Maybe you can find some kind of post-grad program in NYC (or elsewhere) that will help you get your foot in the door. For example, in a different industry, there is a summer program in book publishing that takes place in Denver. It's very well respected and grads are recruited by the top publishers. Or at least it WAS, ten years ago when I was up on the latest and greatest in the industry.

Don't forget about Oxfam in Boston! I think Boston has mountains of these kinds of agencies....

Yeah I have looked at those, most are in DC and want work experience as far as I know... although I could do post grad in a similar field... we'll see... NYU and Columbia might do something along those lines. If anybody knows something like that feel free to share... any IA master majors here?

[shishi]

Hey,

I have an MSc from a very prestigious school in IR. I speak multiple foreign languages too. Go to DC. I had an amazing job there but gave it up to move to NY for my now husband. I don't regret it because well I'm married but my career has been completely unfulfilling. I have worked in a BIG consulting company, a smaller market research consultancy doing what was called "global marketing" and even tried PR. NY is a business hub- the global portion of the business is really just a word and not really a big part of what you do. Also, the very few non-profits that don't pay well (CFR) or other groups such as Eurasia are almost impossible to get into because they're one of only a handful that exist here. Now, add to that the economic crisis where anyone will do anything- just go to DC. It's a bubble and my friends tell me it's been rather insulated from the crisis.