I've decided I want to pursue a master's in International Relations and would like to get into a top school. I finished my undergrad with a double major in Marketing and Journalism in September 2010 and worked at a marketing internship for 5 months. Since September of this year, however, I've been unemployed. Though I am applying to schools for Fall 2012, I know I have very little chance with my lack of work experience.
So I've been focusing on planning what I will do in the next 12 months to gain the experience I need. It's getting really hard sitting at home, so I want to get started as soon as possible.
Some of the things I've been applying to:
- Teaching English in China, Japan, or Korea for 4 months to a year.
- Volunteering in Morocco.
- Interning at a newspaper in China.
- Interning at the Carter Center
My career goal is to work as a foreign policy analyst for an NGO or for the government, with specialization in the Middle East (I grew up there). With all this in mind, what are some other suggestions people have? What kind of work experience bodes well for admission into a top school? What should I do right now to get on track?