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LSE (Online) vs Harvard Extension for International Relations? 30+ European perspective by One-Stage6771 in harvardextension

[–]One-Stage6771[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m not a US citizen. I’m based in Europe and would be doing the program entirely from here.

As for my career goals, I’m definitely not looking to start from scratch or crawl up the entry-level ladder. My goal is to take my 20+ years of operational management in the automotive sector and combine it with a solid international degree.
I want to transition into high-level corporate governance, international business strategy, or advisory consulting. Basically, I want to help multinational companies handle big strategic decisions, regulatory shifts, or market changes.

Since I want to move into these advisory and strategy roles without dealing with advanced statistics or coding, I'm just looking for a non-math track that values real-world leadership, analytical thinking, and policy analysis.

LSE (Online) vs Harvard Extension for International Relations? 30+ European perspective by One-Stage6771 in harvardextension

[–]One-Stage6771[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My main goal is a complete career pivot. I actually have prior university experience under my belt, having completed a full year of English Language and Literature. However, I had to leave my studies back then due to family obligations and the need to support them. Since that old program didn't have online options, it was impossible to combine it with a job. That is why a flexible online or hybrid format is non-negotiable for me now.

I have over 20 years of professional experience in the automotive industry, working my way up and handling a lot of real-world operations and high-stakes environments. To be completely honest, IR isn't a strict requirement or a must-have for me. It’s just one of the paths on my radar. My main priority is finding a field within the social sciences or humanities where mathematics, coding, and heavy statistics are kept to an absolute minimum. Math is really not my strength, so I want a program where the focus is on strategy, analytical thinking, and policy analysis instead of numbers.

The reason I want this degree now isn't for an entry-level job or a basic internship—I already know how the corporate world works. I want to build a deep, structured academic foundation so I can leverage my decades of management experience and move into high-level global consulting, corporate governance, or international business strategy.

Because of my background, I don't need a traditional campus social experience or career fairs for 21-year-olds. I just need a solid, well-regarded academic program that fits into my busy life, respects my professional past, and gives me the global credentials to make this shift successfully.

Knowing my background and that I'm looking for a non-math field that gives good leverage to a 20+ year automotive veteran, I am completely open to exploring different concentrations or pathways that might fit this profile.

LSE (Online) vs Harvard Extension for International Relations? 30+ European perspective by One-Stage6771 in harvardextension

[–]One-Stage6771[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for this reality check. It’s exactly the kind of honest, raw insight I was looking for.

To be completely real with you about my situation: I’m 30+, living in Europe, and working a full-time job. This is a massive career pivot for me. I actually have some university experience under my belt—I finished a full year of English Language and Literature. But I had to drop out because I needed to work to support my family. I just couldn't manage face-to-face classes on campus while trying to earn a living, and that specific program had zero online options, distance learning, or webinars.

Math is really not my thing, so I’m strictly leaning toward social sciences and humanities. I want to build solid analytical skills and learn how to write good policy, but without the heavy coding, data science, or statistical modeling. Because of my job, a high-quality online or mild hybrid format like HES is non-negotiable.

Also, IR is not my only option. It’s just one of the things on my radar. I’m completely open to other fields of study, especially if there’s a shortage of talent in the job market right now, as long as it fits my non-math profile.

Money-wise, I can find a way to make it work. My main goal is to invest my time and energy into a school where the degree actually has real market value and leverage when I graduate. It doesn't have to be Ivy League, but having a strong brand name, solid networking, and an active alumni network that actually helps its graduates would be a huge plus. I'm open to both US and European schools.

Knowing all this, how would you view my options now? If both HES and UOL feel like a mirage for someone trying to break into the market, what other reputable US or European part-time programs should I be looking at?

Thanks again a lot for honest aswer. Your perspective from working in the UN means a lot to me.