Career and Internship Advising
The IS Major connects students to campus resources, such as the Intern Abroad program and Successworks. Many IS Majors will be interested in the career community “Government, Politics, International Affairs, and Law” advised by Emmeline Prattke: Schedule Here. The IS Major also posts relevant international career events and opportunities on our social media pages and newsletter.
SuccessWorks provides a personal and professional development services for students in College of Letters & Sciences. It is your home for exploring interests, connecting with others who share your passions and preparing for success after graduation. SuccessWorks provides career communities, based on a cluster of occupations that students have an interest in and alumni have landed awesome jobs as well as workshops and career fairs for students preparing for the job market. You can find resources for searching for internships and jobs, resume and cover letter preparation, mock interviews, skill assessments, and more.
You can schedule an appointment with any of the Career Community Specialists by visiting here.
Students who complete a major in International Studies pursue a wide variety of career paths including human rights, international and domestic law, federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, private sector firms, medical school, and graduate school. Our alumni have gone on to work in business, education, government, language, global health, policy development, and more.
The IS Major helps students develop key skills such as critical thinking, the capacity to write effectively and clearly, knowledge of research methods, and foreign language skills. Within the IS Major students are offered the freedom and flexibility to create a cohesive program based on a geographic area or theme, such as focusing on Southeast Asia or global poverty and inequality. This thematic approach is especially appealing to employers when paired with strong language skills and cultural understanding.
Although the career options afforded to graduates with International Studies majors are numerous, through a comprehensive and cohesive program students can easily find their direction during their course of study. Students are encouraged to seek out other opportunities outside of the major in order to supplement their experience. Volunteering, joining a student organization, getting a part time job or finding an exciting internship make students well rounded, marketable, and interesting to employers. Please work with our advising staff 1:1 to discuss your goals, interests, and questions further.
If you are interested in sharing an internship or early career opportunity for current students and recent graduates, please contact Molly Donnellan at molly.donnellan@wisc.edu.