International Relations

IR is a decent major for transitioning to a specific policy area in grad school or PhD. By itself it is a hybrid major with no definitive structure of what topics or regions to focus on - e.g. I chose a history based regional focus on East Asia. However, learning IR from start (undergrad) to finish (Master’s or PhD) may limit career prospects to think tanks and academia. To get into places like World Bank, UN, and IMF I would recommend shifting gears to a more specific practice (business policy, Econ, environment, energy, urban, etc.) or acquire skills through CPA, CFA, or FRM.

Good major either if your interested in International relations or cyber security. Focuses a lot of digital forensics since thats what it was made for originally. Great professors, the professors who made this major as currently teaching its main courses. Lots of options to spec into other cyber options or International relations. Lots of companies are aware of the DF programs in USC's Intelligence and Cyber Operations major so it's not difficult to network at all. Does require a lot of work, but it's not difficult in the traditional sense.

The type of work that I was doing changed a lot. It went from mostly coding and math to a lot of reading and writing which I much prefer. The classes also became more open to discussion and I found them more enjoyable.

I enjoyed the IR/international studies/global studies major as an undergraduate. It provided me with the toolkit and knowledge to better understand the world. Although I sometimes would hope that I can have trained in technical/computational/scientific skills that can better support my career/jobs.

I wish I'd known how much the writing required for my major depends on being able to interpret studies and graphs

The major can be prepped for Law School but not really career oriented…. Professors at usc is amazing tho

I wish I planned out my courses before finishing freshmen year

Essay based exams, as well as written reports, meant to summarize the arguments taught in class

i just just transferred here but i really love my major so far. i feel so refreshed learning about new things every day, and even though its a challenge getting the basics down as someone who is new to the major, im excited to tackle it

I like how it prepares me for my future career in foreign service.

I would recommend seek your passion rather what you think is best

This is about intelligence and cyber operations, but IR is the closest comparison. It is about cybersecurity and information security.

I really like international relations! It allows me to open the door to grad programs like law school!