Careers Center
The School of International Relations emphasizes the professional development of its students in innovative ways. Our focus is to prepare students to pursue any of the possible careers for internationalists, by offering tools that adequately prepare graduates for the path they choose - whether that's working in international institutions, in the public sector, in the private sector or in the academic field. These tools include professional workshops offered by the Skills Clinic, Career Talks, Alumni Mentorships, and support for extracurricular and student-led activities.
Professional Workshops
Classes offered by the Skills Clinic are designed to help students take their first steps into the job market. Workshop examples include:
- Personal career planning;
- How to prepare a Résumé
- How to write a motivation letter
- Training for job interviews;
- Career Preparation in International Organizations;
- Networking and building relationships.
Preparation for the job market
A degree in International Relations qualifies students to build their own careers in the public and private sectors, both in Brazil and abroad. The mastery of skills and competencies required to solve problems through the practical application of theories, methods and cutting-edge analytical techniques are the distinguishing features of our alumni. Below are some of the career possibilities for graduates in International Relations.
MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS
- Institutional and government relations at multinational companies and start-ups.
- Business diplomacy, company internationalization, trade promotion and foreign trade.
- Advice for teams negotiating in conflict-prone environments.
FINANCIAL MARKETS
- Risk measurement and assessment for BOVESPA, national and foreign private banks and hedge funds.
POLITICAL RISK CONSULTING FIRMS
- Analyzing political scenarios and their impact on the economy and finances.
- Identifying solutions for public image-crises, legislative consultancies, and representing private companies' interests in the public sector.
- Developing social awareness campaigns, advocacy, promotion of corporate social responsibility initiatives.
PHILANTHROPY AND NGOS
- Project development for global organizations such as Greenpeace, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International or international philanthropic organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation and Fullbright Foundation.
- Fundraising and advocacy campaigns for local and global organizations.
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
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Project management and impact assessment in international bodies such as the UN, UNICEF, UNESCO, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and the World Health Organization.
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Project monitoring and data management in institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Trade Organization, and the New Development Bank (BRICS).
PUBLIC SECTOR
- The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty), the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (ABIN), the Brazilian National Development Bank (BNDES), the Brazilian Federal Police, Petrobras, the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade (MDIC).
- International consulting services to the the legislative and judicial branches in the Brazilian government.
- International consulting services to state and municipal governments.
COMMUNICATION AND MARKETING
- International news coverage for mainstream media outlets (newspapers, blogs and television).
- Communication consultancy for governments, international organizations or private companies.
- Media training and global image management for individuals, brands or governments.
ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH CAREERS
- International-level research for private and philanthropic foundations or public institutions, such as IPEA, BNDES, and the Central Bank.
- Academic careers in teaching and research institutions, both in Brazil and abroad.
Job market
Graduating in international relations enables a wide variety of different careers, united by the common need for a multifaceted professional, who has a systemic vision while being attentive to the details and nuances of each situation.
Average Pay
According to surveys conducted in Brazil and abroad, more than half of recent International Relations graduates working in multinational companies, risk consultancies, communications agencies, and the third sector receive starting monthly salaries ranging from US$1,000 to US$3,000. In the financial market, starting salaries for internationalists range from $2,000 to $4,000. At the United Nations and its numerous specialized agencies, entry level positions recieve around US$3,000 and US$6,000 a month. In the Brazilian public sector, the first position in the diplomatic career has a monthly salary of R$19,199 (in reais, 2020 values). For those IR graduates interested in pursuing master's or doctoral programs abroad, scholarships range from US$ 1,800 to US$ 3,000. Once the initial phases of internationalists' professional careers are over, average salaries vary widely depending on the sector, position and country of work.
More than half of the recent International Relations graduates receive monthly salaries ranging from R$4,000.00 to R$9,000.00.
In the Brazilian public sector, the first position in the diplomatic career has a monthly salary of R$19,199 (in reais, 2020 values).
In the United Nations, the starting salary (P1-P3) of the career of an international civil servant varies between US$ 3,000.00 and US$ 6,000.00 per month.