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Great careers start here.

One of the major reasons students choose the Elliott School of International Affairs is because we offer comprehensive career development services that result in unique job opportunities for our graduate students and graduate alumni.

Should you decide to attend the Elliott School, our career development team will be ready on day one to help you with all aspects of your professional development with services including:

  • Individual career counseling
  • Career panels and employer information sessions
  • Networking events
  • Professional skills courses

Guidance for new students

The Graduate Student Career Development center will email career development information to you upon your acceptance to the University. Once you have completed new student orientation, you can set up a meeting with one of our counselors.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. When will I have access to Graduate Student Career Development's (GSCD) services? answer
  2. I need to make money to help offset the costs of living in DC and going to graduate school. What can I do? answer
  3. I may want/need to work while I pursue my degree at the Elliott School. Where have students interned/worked? answer
  4. What are my chances of being employed after graduation? answer
  5. Does GSCD place students in internships and jobs? answer
  6. What services do you provide for international students? Will I be able to work in the United States? answer
  7. I am a mid-career professional with lots of work experience. What can GSCD offer me? answer
  8. When I graduate, will I still have access to GSCD? answer
  9. What skills are employers looking for in graduates of the Elliott School? answer

1. When will I have access to GSCD's services?

After you accept your admission and pay your deposit to the Elliott School, GSCD will email you a welcome packet, generally in June. This packet will tell you everything you need to know to get started working with GSCD. The packet will give you instructions on how to get access to GSCD's online Elliott School Career Connection database. After you go through new student orientation, you will have complete access to GSCD to make appointments and attend events.

2. I need to make money to help offset the costs of living in DC and going to graduate school. What can I do?

As soon as you have access to Elliott School Career Connection, you should take advantage of that resource! Many opportunities for the fall are posted in late summer or early fall, so don't panic if you don't have something lined up by July. Until that time, there are many other online resources you can utilize, such as: Idealist.org, indeed.com, USAJOBS.gov, etc. You should also start researching types of organizations that interest you and skills you hope to develop through an internship or job. Please keep in mind that only about half of the internship opportunities in the DC metro area are paid.

3. I may want/need to work while I pursue my degree at the Elliott School. Where have students interned/worked?

US Government

  • US Department of State
  • US Agency for International Development
  • Department of Defense (DoD)
  • Office of the US Trade Representative
  • Defense Intelligence Agency
  • Department of Energy
  • US Department of Treasury

Research/Think Tanks

  • The Brookings Institute
  • Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (WWIC)
  • Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
  • American Enterprise Institute (AEI)

Media

  • Associated Press
  • ABC News
  • Foreign Policy Magazine
  • NPR

Non-Profit

  • Chemonics
  • World Wildlife Fund
  • Amnesty International
  • National Democratic Institute

Consulting

  • BAE System
  • Booz Allen Hamilton
  • Raytheon
  • SAIC

NGO/IO

  • International Monetary Fund
  • Inter-American Development Bank
  • Organization of American States
  • World Bank

Private

  • Delphos International
  • ICF International
  • Jane's Information Group
  • The Whitaker Group

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4. What are my chances of being employed after graduation?

Every year, six months after graduation, we survey our most recent graduating class to find its employment status, including job sectors and salaries. This information is compiled into Employment Data reports. Please review these documents carefully.

Remember that everyone's situation is unique. The best ways to ensure employment upon graduation are to plan ahead and think strategically about work and internship experiences, skills, academics, utilizing GSCD, and building a network of mentors.

5. Does GSCD place students in internships and jobs?

No. GSCD is not a placement office and will not match you with jobs or internships. Our mission is to provide graduate students and alumni with worldwide career opportunities and help them create successful careers. Our professional career coaches will work with you to develop the tools and find the resources that will best help you find the internship or job that will take you to the next level professionally.

6. What services do you provide for international students? Will I be able to work in the United States?

We understand that communication/writing skills can be a challenge for some international students. We offer cover letter and resume critiques, as well as tips on how to write effective emails to alumni requesting informational interviews to discuss their professional interests and to learn about their workplace environments. We also offer practice or mock interviews with a career coach and tips on networking and reaching out to professionals, which is a critical part of the job search.

While you are in the United States, you have the option to work, but you must follow the federal regulations established by the U.S. government. GW's International Services Office will work with you to understand the regulations and ensure your work experience adheres to those guidelines. Please also see the frequently asked questions for international students.

7. I am a mid-career professional with lots of work experience. What can GSCD offer me?

Useful information is boundless for you. You will have access to Elliott School Career Connection for job postings and invitations to informational sessions and seminars. Our professional career coaches are seasoned in helping all students with writing resumes and cover letters and job search skills. In addition, we offer mock interview practice and job strategy planning. You can also receive coaching on topics like dealing with problem people in your office and salary negotiation.

8. When I graduate, will I still have access to GSCD?

Absolutely! As an alumnus or alumna of the Elliott School graduate program, you have full access to GSCD for life! Most career centers charge alumni for their services, but GSCD is free and eager to help you throughout your career.

We will also encourage you to keep your ESCC profile up-to-date, to be involved with GSCD as an alumni mentor, and/or to represent your employer at career panels and career fairs.

9. What skills are employers looking for in graduates of the Elliott School?

Our career-oriented academic programs are designed in consultation with leading professionals and courses are taught by dynamic and world-class faculty. In 2007, Graduate Student Career Development conducted an Employment Qualifications & Skills survey with 275 employers to assess the relative importance of a student's major, skills and qualifications when considering whether or not to hire a Master's degree graduate from the Elliott School of International Affairs. For more information, see the Employment Qualifications & Skills Report.

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Related Links

Office Location

Graduate Student Career Development
The Elliott School of International Affairs
1957 E Street, NW, Suite 603
Washington, DC 20052
202-994-3788 (p)
202-994-7702 (f)

Office Hours:

Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
After-hours by appointment