International Relations and Career – What International Relations students have to say!
September 27, 2011
News Worldwide – When a student opts for a major degree; like International Relations major, he/she is also looking for a career. Though, in country like Pakistan many Master degrees do not ensure a career oriented jobs, yet being a student of International Relations I know many want to learn what particular and specific jobs are available in Pakistan for International relation Master’s degree? Therefore, I asked this question from Miss Nasreen Ghufran, who is one of the most senior person in department of International Relations, University of Peshawar. I posted this question on facebook dept. of International Relations page and soon saw an overwhelming response as many wanted to know about “International Relations and Career”.
International Relations
One student from the department said that there was nothing in particular for IR students in terms of recognized career. Moreover, the student also mentioned that they would only think of lecturer ship post after completing their International Relations Master’s degree. Other said, “we can go for non-governmental organizations as today International Relations is recognized as a social science and one can find a big number of jobs that are offered to social science graduates.”
Another IR graduate seemed desperate as he said that we need to begin our business after this degree. While Ihsan Khan said, “Some years ago biggest jobs for being IR Master Holder were to leave this country as soon as possible.”
And as soon as we got Miss Nasreen Ghufran on the page, she made her comments, “our students have gone to diverse fields- civil service, ngo’s, teaching, banks, media, think tanks etc. Depending how enterprising the student is. You have to be competitive and good enough to get a place for yourself in a field which you desire. Some of my students have ended up in armed forces others have gone to public relation officers. So in my opinion the field is wide open the only thing is that you need to be equally good to play it well in the arena of jobs.”
Then, I had to state,” I asked this question because many ask the same question when you tell them your MA IR. But I will like to add and suggest that not everyone should be allowed to choose this subject at Masters Level when they do not have the background at Bachelors or intermediate level. It must be a subject by choice and not where fate took them after bachelors. The department must not become the abode of students obtaining lower percentages rather than the merit should be fixed for not less than 75% It will be then that the real outcome of this awesome subject will be applicable in favor of Pakistan. Most probably, then we will also have specialized vacancies.
Nasreen Ghufran added, “I agree with you on that most of the students don’t take it by choice that is why they have problems later on and are not interested. However, we now have a bachelors program which lays down the basis for doing their masters, so things are improving and i have noticed that along with some few lazy and disinterested students there are those who are really bright and take interest in the subject. So I remain optimistic.”
Wali Afridi Ilyas said, “I do not agree with the above discussion. So what should be the criteria for getting admission in Master? Everyone knows about the present one. Admission form with 1st, 2nd, 3rd priorities…etc…”
Tasawar Baig said, “First, if someone is excellent in International Relations he / she has no match…I bet there is great rise….if below standard…then position is nowhere…..Since my first masters in IR was from Karachi University and I know many of KU .IR graduates as Ambassadors, CEO Liver Brothers…leading Multinational was an IR graduate, now in recent years…Media and NGOs become new opportunities for IR graduates….as couple of years back one has to focus with limited field…..Best wishes…..and be Excellent…The rise is YOURs!”
Another student Abid Shehzad said, “If some is graduated in IR and unable to get a promising job in Pakistan or elsewhere then it is the shortcoming of the student whether his disinterest or pessimistic approach to this discipline.” Shakeel Azam Awan added, “It is a matter of perception. International Relations is powerful discipline. It always depends upon aspirant how far one is excellent in exposing the talent in the fitness of things. The best cannot be ignored.”
And thus I had to conclude, “International Relations major as a subject is not having specialized jobs. The way medical students become doctors and engineer students become engineers, IR students are supposed to become diplomats, think tanks, pressure groups, diplomatic policy makers, foreign policy makers etc. The degree should be a secured one just like medical and engineering and this is only possible if the most eligible students are studying the subject while government should reserve such job positions for this degree. I also want to add here that every job should be provided on merit and educational background. Unlike what is happening since long that they get MA degree of Botany and get jobs in Ministry of defense.”
“The entire process should be automatic. Every subject should have specialized field. just the way it happens in other developed countries. If we cannot work on all of them, being IR students we should at least do something about this discipline for now.”
Copyright © 2011
Posted by Angelia Kates · Filed Under International Relations
