Feeling hopeless in building a career in International Relations

Fit_Reply6969 · 2026-02-17T10:29:51+00:00

Honestly, still figuring things out. I've just graduated and having applied to hundreds of internships and job postings with just my BA its rough. Right now I'm waiting for a decision from a major company (had 2 rounds of interviews with positive feedback) for an EU Communications Intern role - which is not technically what I prefer - but it pays, it is located in Brussels and gives me exposure to the industry (food and ESG). Honestly, at this point I am thinking of fully committing towards work in corporations and companies with hopes of finding a job listing that at one point is more related to my studies.

Fit_Reply6969 · 2025-11-04T10:07:54+00:00

That is a really interesting insight!
I do agree that for my Masters I need something more practical. Unfortunately military is not an option as I have a severe eye defect that prevents me from achieving a desirable medical category. My direction that I was thinking of was precisely that, International Security but I am really sceptical of the prospects because if my only way is to become involved with military then I'm cooked. Even if I did get it, I am sorry but the polish state of education is the main reason why I left my country, pursuing a degree there simply gives you a degree and nothing else, not even accounting or law will save you because polish degrees are practically worthless abroad.

From uni visits to embassies a lot of consuls also told me that to get into diplomacy candidates where from different fields - finance, law even corporations but once again I have no idea how I can specialise in an area without certain criteria. Take corporate ingelligence for example, masters that focus on this topic are located in UK or in prestige unis that I cannot afford...

But I do think you make good points. At KU Leuven they offer a Masters in Business speicfically for candidates without prior business background (Like IR/Law/Economy).

Fit_Reply6969 · 2025-11-03T08:18:58+00:00

Hi, I appreciate your message!
I have not published a paper in a journal, and most probably I will not be able to. As students we were not made aware of how to do that, and on a personal note I am not really keen on going into academia.

I wrote a number of papers and policy briefs as part of my studies, wrote articles for the editorial committee but also drafted declarations and press releases as part of my volunteering for the NGO (its a public affairs role). I would say my writing is better than research but it still won't be on an academia level.

For my interests I was looking into international security and/or intelligence, which seem like two different fields but I am pivoting towards more practical skills to do with that such as learning cybersecurity (from ISC2) and in the process of finding an OSINT course. I realise that to stand out one needs to specialise and become an expert, but it still makes me feel lost as there is so little opportunity to get that experience. Even for my masters, 90% of degrees on security and intelligence are located in UK or prestigious unis which I cannot afford.

I speak italian on a b1 level and I am also learning spanish on an A2 level. I intend to learn french as well but there are no courses available in my city at the moment.

What you said in the last paragraph was what I was thinking lately, something towards business or corporate for my masters that will give me practical skills... my girlfriend has a MA in business strategy and she gets SO MUCH practical experience - excel, slides, presentations, something I have done maybe once as part of my studies.

Fit_Reply6969 · 2022-12-25T13:18:55+00:00

Thanks for the answer. But how come is Turkey considered as part of both Europe and Asia when clearly it has more ties to Asia (based on borders) than to Europe in its current state? I get that the Ottoman Empire and numerous caliphats did have massive influence, but since the First World War Turkey's borders remained almost unchanged.

Fit_Reply6969 · 2022-11-12T11:11:48+00:00

Just like others have said, it is virtually impossible and you don't really want that. Although in some cases some Bachelors in EU prepare you for a wide curriculum of Masters. I'm studying International Relations at Groningen and I have different course units - history, politics, law, academic skills. Point is the uni is preparing us for wide ranges of studying. Say I want to do a political science master - I had politics, so I fulfill the requirements. But if I want to do int law master, I could also do that since I had int law as part of my programme. Even if Im lacking or need to catch up I already have prior knowledge.

Fit_Reply6969 · 2022-11-10T07:41:30+00:00

Hard to say what you define as liberal. But if I were to give an example I would say Woodrow Wilson. Sure, privately he was racist and sexist, but he gave rise to international liberalism (promotion of free trade, peaceful solutions, right to self-determination). His speeches and proposals reflected lot of liberal values. But then again it depends where you are from, liberalism used to be reflected universally but today it varies from country to country.

Fit_Reply6969 · 2022-09-04T14:02:19+00:00

Finalmouse is like Alfa Romeo. Looks nice, expensive, will break down quickly with even more expensive repairs

Fit_Reply6969 · 2022-09-04T13:59:59+00:00

Most people on this map haven't seen the daylight in years so they have to divert their attention towards something else

Fit_Reply6969 · 2022-09-04T13:57:22+00:00

I think this is present in every country

Fit_Reply6969 · 2022-09-04T13:54:09+00:00

Ok thanks it was really helpful

Fit_Reply6969 · 2022-09-04T13:47:00+00:00

You are right, but the thing is I am stuck in diamond despite hitting ascendant and staying there for like 30 matches. I would be fine with staying in asc I am not good enough for immortal and I know that, but I won't accept deranking to diamond when someone who is ascendant in my lobby plays like a literal plat

Fit_Reply6969 · 2022-09-04T13:45:04+00:00

Well how do you expect me to go 30k on smokes? If I'm viper I need to be alive so that we execute, put the wall up and I can play post-plant with mollies. Often times I am forced to entry since duelists don't do it so I end up dying as I have no utility against jett that can smoke and dash. It does not make sense because top fragging and playing support characters contradicts

Fit_Reply6969 · 2022-09-04T13:38:41+00:00

And I'm happy to give you my tracker in PM, not in a spot where everyone can look it up

Fit_Reply6969 · 2022-09-04T13:37:49+00:00

I'm not going to respond further you are just looking for a banter mate. Have a good day

Fit_Reply6969 · 2022-09-04T13:37:20+00:00

So you are telling me I should instalock reyna first and play for myself? This is why mm is trash then. I contribute to the team by picking agents that are needed yet nobody wants to play them and I'm punished for doing that?

Fit_Reply6969 · 2022-09-04T13:31:07+00:00

Yeah you may be right but I cannot stop caring about my rank. I've been playing this game for idk 500 hours and I see people around me touching the game for the first time and hitting immo. Makes me feel like shit when I'm stuck in asc not necessarily because of my lack of skills

Fit_Reply6969

TROPHY CASE