The Peace Corps is a popular option for recent graduates who want to gain experience while considering their future career paths. Since its inception, the Peace Corps has sent over 200,000 workers across the globe to help others work on health education, teach, work on business plans and farm, among many other pursuits. Workers are given a stipend during their service and a lump sum at the end of 27 months of service to use as they wish.
The United Nations offers a wide variety of jobs for graduates with a B.A. in International Studies; however, to advance higher in your chosen field and obtain a position in their Professional category, you may want to consider getting a Master's degree. With only a Bachelor's, though, you can choose from positions in General Service, National Professional Officer or Field Service. The United Nations requires candidates to be fluent in either English or French, two of their six major languages. U.N. headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland and New York City.
Foreign Services Officers represent the United States overseas. While the position offers what many would consider to be generous pay and benefits as well as the perk of worldwide travel, it can also be a dangerous pursuit. Often Foreign Services Officers are placed in remote posts that can test your ability to remain composed under great stress. There are five main career tracks available as a Foreign Services Officer ranging from political to economic fields.
One option with a Bachelor's in International Studies is to work as a Clandestine Services Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). An officer's responsibilities center around intelligence collection and analysis, and officers can expect to spend up to 70% of their careers overseas. The CIA has a professional trainee program for graduates who possess problem-solving skills, strong academic backgrounds and discretion.