Careers for International Students

For international students and graduates of the SSP, there are many available career options in fields relating to international security.  Many of the program's international students apply their security-related expertise in work for their respective national governments upon graduation.  A sampling of national governments that are current employers of SSP graduates include Afghanistan, Chile, Columbia, The Republic of Korea, Mexico, Romania, Switzerland, and The Netherlands.

Intergovernmental and Transnational Organizations

Working at intergovernmental and transnational organizations is another popular career path for SSP international students and graduates.  With an emphasis on the international nature of security, the SSP curriculum prepares students for security-related careers at organizations such as the European Union, the International Organization for Migration, NATO, the Organization for American States, the Organization for International Cooperation and Development, the United Nations, the World Bank, and the World Health Organization.

Research and Journalism

Many international students and graduates of the SSP gravitate toward careers in research and journalism.  Within these fields, employers of SSP students and graduates include the Brookings Institution, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Iran Policy Committee, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the Rand Corporation, the British Broadcasting Corporation, Dow Jones, USA Today, and Reuters.

Careers in the United States

While many international students pursue career options within the United States, both during their studies and after graduation, it is essential that all international students are aware of their individual visa status at all times.  Working in the United States as a non-U.S. citizen is a realistic possibility for most international students, however there are several types of visas and work-permits issued by the United States Government, each of which present their holders with certain employment rights and restrictions.

Some international positions held by recent SSP graduates include:

Acer Inc., Taiwan, Business Strategist
Fuji Dynamics, Ltd., Hong Kong, Marketing Executive
Government of Brazil, Ministry of Defense, Assistant to the Minister
Government of France, Military Officer
Government of Mexico, Policy Analyst
Government of New Zealand, Military Officer
Government of Norway, Department of Commerce, Advisor
Government of the Philippines, Embassy Spokesperson
Neue Zeurcher Zeitung, Zurich, Switzerland, Journalist