Internships, Jobs & Careers

Internships

Why an internship? 

  • Learn through practical experience
  • Invaluable as a means of professional networking and career advancement
  • Make connections between regular classroom work and possible profession
  • Earn college credit
  • Intern in DC via our affiliation with The Washington Center

For Employers

If you are interested in sponsoring an internship, please email us at [email protected] with the following:

  • Position Description
  • Estimated hours
  • Length of Position
  • How to apply
  • Contact information

Placements

  • national, state, and local executive and legislative offices
  • government agencies
  • political campaigns
  • party and interest group organizations,
  • think tanks
  • judicial agencies
  • law firms
  • international business
  • international non-government organizations (NGOs).

Internship Syllabus

For more information
PLS & IR Internship Syllabus
PLS & IR Internship FAQ 

Experience Matters
See examples of GVSU International Relations internships from each student's perspective at the Experience Matters site.

Contacts

Political Science: Dr. Donald Zinman
Phone: (616) 331-8714; Email: [email protected]

International Relations: Dr. Polly Diven
Phone: (616) 331-3282; Email: [email protected]

Jobs, Careers, Grad School & Law School

Jobs & Careers

The International Relations faculty work closely with Career Services and students on internships and career advising. Students are highly encouraged to pursue an internship. Capstone professors help senior students to prepare for careers and graduate school. For more information, consult our career guide and visit with your faculty advisor. 

  • Foreign Service and other government agencies including
  • International Organization Program Officer
  • Legal profession as Lawyer or Judge
  • Lobbyist or Political Analyst
  • Public Policy Researcher
  • International Sales and Marketing
  • Non-Profit or Public Administrator
  • Journalist
  • International Education Specialist

Graduate & Law School

International relations is a suitable major for many graduate programs:

  • Business
  • Communication
  • Criminal justice
  • Education
  • International affairs
  • International relations
  • Law (Pre-law information)
  • Political science
  • Public administration
  • Public Policy

For more information:
Pre-law 
See the graduate school section of our career guide.

Spotlights

Meghan Ramil Spotlight

Meghan Ramil

2016 Graduate Promoted to Assistant Account Executive for Political Consulting Firm in DC

Brendan Sawyer Spotlight

Brendan Sawyer

Studying at Wayne State Law School

Shelly Greendyk Spotlight

Shelly Greendyk

2018 Graduate Lands Job with DOD

Emily Brown Spotlight

Emily Brown

Foreign Affairs Officer, State Department of Global Women's Issues

Karissa Kresge Spotlight

Karissa Kresge

2013 IR Grad Works for UNICEF USA

View More Spotlights

News

IR and PLS Alumni Starting Law School

IR and PLS Alumni Starting Law School

IR Alum Jessica Geisler is starting her JD studies this fall at Wayne Law.

Sep 18, 2024

McGhee wins 2024 Zeeb Scholarship for Study Abroad

McGhee wins 2024 Zeeb Scholarship for Study Abroad

Aaron McGhee is the winner of the 2024 Zeeb Scholarship for Study Abroad

Jul 3, 2024

Pullins Wins Outstanding Paper Award

Pullins Wins Outstanding Paper Award

Sarah D. Pullins is the winner of the Outstanding Paper Award for Political Science and International Relations.

May 3, 2024

GV IN DC SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: JACKSON TISDALE

GV IN DC SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: JACKSON TISDALE

Jackson Tisdale is the recipient of the Grand Valley in DC Scholarship for the 2023-24 academic year. The purpose of this alumni-funded scholarship is to assist students in pursuing internship opportunities in Washington, D.C.

Apr 5, 2024

Tafel Recognized for Excellence in Teaching

Tafel Recognized for Excellence in Teaching

Dr. Tafel wins Pew Teaching Excellence Award

Feb 19, 2024

View More News

Events

Democracy 101: Your Voice Matters | Student Voice and Action

September 25, 2024 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Democracy 101 is a series of civic engagement informational seminars. Our second session will feature a panel of student leaders from organizations and others around campus who have made change....

Virtual Gilman Writing Workshop - Workshopping your Essay Drafts - Approaching the Finish Line!

September 26, 2024 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Gilman Program Application Is Now Open!  You'll have thoughtful, engaging essay drafts developing at this point - Now is the time to reflect, revise, consider voice and audience!...

Drop-in Days of Service

September 27, 2024 2:00 PM

Drop-in Days of Service are on-campus opportunities for students to "drop in" and complete service projects for service hours. They are located on GVSU's Allendale Campus in Kirkhof...

GVSU Votes! Tabling Downtown

October 1, 2024 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

GVSU Votes! tabling to help get students registered to vote, know their plan to vote, and check where they are registered to vote. We want to get the downtown campus engaged and excited! RSVP...

Virtual Gilman Writing Workshop - Putting the Finishing Touches on your Gilman Essays!

October 1, 2024 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Gilman Program Application Is Now Open!  The Gilman October deadline is approaching! You'll have thoughtful, engaging essay drafts developing at this point - Now is the time to...

View More Events



Page last modified September 1, 2021