OXFORD

INTERNATIONAL POLICY
+ DEVELOPMENT
Employment in this sector primarily involves researching and communicating effectively to
inform how opinions and international decisions are made and changed.
This could be done working in a Think Tank that seeks to address issues of global concern,
in your country’s foreign service to formulate and implement international policy, in the
civil service of a regional organisation such as the EU, as a researcher in a political risk or
international development consultancy, or in an international organisation (IO) such as the
UN or World Bank. Alternatively, you could work for a global charity (see pages 79-80 for
relevant advice). As this is a popular sector with moral appeal, competition for employment
can be intense, but it offers rewarding careers for those who persevere.
GETTING IN AND ENTRY POINTS
organisations in this sector value some kind of relevant
public or third sector, and preferably in a developing
country. However, there are some graduate schemes, such
as well as the Fellowship Scheme run by the Overseas
for international development roles. The precise course
title does not generally matter, but it can be important to
highlight the most relevant modules taken and to illustrate
that you have knowledge of relevant research techniques,
technical skills, regions and (if you have them) languages.
many Think Tanks may require that you have undertaken
several years of professional experience.
your chances of securing a job and to help you work out
which areas and employers are for you. Most Think Tanks
are open to students undertaking short internships with
them. These are sometimes unpaid or include only a travel
stipend, so you may need to try and set up several shorter
experiences that you can combine with other work. The
graduates. Internships with an IO are normally reserved
especially those with more than one language and some
regional knowledge or expertise.
Maira Seeley
British Embassy Amman
“Oxford offers great opportunities to
gain volunteer or practical experience
and further skills. Think carefully about
your career path and do some research
on what concrete skills are in demand
and try to make room for these on top of
your coursework.”
EXTRA-CURRICULAR IDEAS
+ Spend as much time as you can gaining international
experience and knowledge. Spend a summer on The
Internship Programme (p.39) working on a development
project, building your language skills and getting to
know a region.
+ Write relevant articles for student newspapers, journals
or blogs, to demonstrate you can use research to inform
+ Take a course at the Language Centre, or otherwise
hone a second language.
+ Join societies concerned with development and
+ Look for the Skoll World Forum activities and the fringe
events (Marmalade/OxJam) in April each year.
MORE INFORMATION:
INTERNATIONAL POLICY + DEVELOPMENT
and hear of upcoming opportunities, by networking
careers events and seminars, and through the Oxford
www.careers.ox.ac.uk
/international-development
/international-law
/international-organisations
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