A light at the end of the tunnel

What makes a young person want to pursue International Relations(IR) studies? Enter factors such as personal preferences, labour market, interest in the subject, among others. In Brazil, whatever the main reason is one thing we know for sure, it is clearly working.

In times of globalizations and complex interdependence, talking about international relations sounds very natural. But it was not always like that. The teaching and research of the subject emerged in the UK, after the end of the Great War through the creation of the Woodrow Wilson Chair of International Politics at the University of Aberystwyth, Wales.

It took a while for the new discipline to land in Brazil. In 1945, the Rio Branco Institute was created, linked to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But, the first undergraduate course was established only in 1974, in Universidade de Brasília. The new discipline developed slowly. By 1995, there were only three of these courses in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Brasília. From then on, there was a tremendous increase in the number of international relations undergraduate courses – by 2011 there were over 100 of them.

With all this increase, the question is whether this new kind of professional will have a slot in the labour market. Will Brazil have the capacity to absorb them? Sceptics will say that, disregarding the minimum percentage of those who enter the diplomatic career or decide to remain in the Academy, IR analyst are doomed to stay in a professional limbo. On the contrary, I say yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel!

After over three decades of degree classes and a favourable global context for Brazil, the market has a better idea of the advantages and the importance to have an IR analyst in the team. But what do we, IR graduates, have to offer? Our main feature is a diversified knowledge about politics, economics, history and law. In a study published by Boletim Meridiano, 87% of the IR graduates considered affirmed that their academic background was important, very important or crucial to their professional careers. To know a little about a lot is a point in our favour.

But what are the implications of this invasion of IR analysts in the market? It means more people interested in the international agenda and qualified people to analyse it and support the international performance of different organizations. With the emergence of non traditional diplomacy, for instance, cities and states are investing in the global arena and consequently making room for new opportunities. There is also the promising option offered by diplomatic missions like us.

As you can see, many opportunities exist. Besides, the subject of study is the most interesting there is. Yes, I am suspect of saying so but it does not make the fact any less true. Are you felling tempted? Then ignore the urban legend that says you will be an unemployed IR graduate and hop on this trend!