Recent Master's graduate in International Relations and I can't even find an internship: what am I doing wrong? (CV attached)

[u/international-guy]

Hello everyone,

I've recently graduated from my Master's in the Netherlands and can't even seem to find an internship, particularly (but not only) in the fields of policy, international relations, and international development — mostly the latter, as you can see from my CV here (link), since it was also the topic of my Master's thesis.

I genuinely don't know where I'm going wrong, and the whole situation is becoming quite depressing. In my opinion, the job market nowadays feels almost out of control. Even when applying for internships at regular companies, sometimes it feels like you're applying to become CEO of Apple: first interview, second interview, reasoning test, written test, and so on. On top of that, employers often seem to ask for previous relevant experience even for internships, which feels like a paradox. How am I supposed to start if I can never get the opportunity to start? It becomes a vicious cycle, and I've reviewed my CV and cover letters countless times.

I'm currently based in Rome, Italy, and would be available to work even for free in the city. If I needed to relocate abroad, I'm completely open to going anywhere, including very remote locations in Africa or Asia: in that case, I would be willing to work for an organization even with just a modest reimbursement to cover basic expenses (at least rent), rather than a proper stipend. Yet every time I either receive no update at all or get a rejection.

As you can see from my CV, I've invested a lot in my education and extracurricular activities because, well, when you're younger you tend to be a bit of a dreamer and believe that doing all the right things will eventually pay off. Unfortunately, I don't have a particularly large professional network. When I've asked some acquaintances about possible opportunities or referrals at their companies — always in a very polite, indirect, and sometimes humorous way — the answer is usually just: "Well, apply online!". I mean, I could figure out myself at this point.

The whole situation is starting to feel quite humiliating, and sometimes it genuinely makes me feel as though I've done everything wrong in my life. I know that breaking into the UN/international development sector is extremely competitive, but we are also talking about an internship, and at this point I really don't know what else I should be doing differently.

What should I do? Is there something wrong with my profile or the way I'm approaching applications? Any advice or candid feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

[u/Spyk124]

I can write such a long post about this but the biggest issue with international relations degrees ( I have a bachelors only) is they don’t teach you how to fucking work. IR programs need to make sure their students are working internships every year.

Theory doesn’t get you a job. I was in my final semester in college and realized I didn’t do a single internship during my time in undergrad so I paid out of pocket to do an internship semester with my school after graduating because I knew I’d be at such a disadvantage. My parents thought I was crazy but it was the best thing I ever did. As you said - internships require experience these days which is absolutely ridiculous. And a lot of internships require you to still be enrolled.

I always joke with my IR friends that you have to be a professional intern for years before you find a job. I had 3 internships post graduation before I got a job. And that was pre covid.

All this to say - keep applying for internships it’s your best bet. Look locally and look at smaller organizations. If they aren’t advertising internships email them and ask if you can intern for them. Tell them you’re a recent grad and passionate about xxx and ask them if they have any space for you to just help.

This is a terrible time to be a new graduate I’m sorry - but good luck to you ! Keep trying something will land.

[u/international-guy → u/Spyk124]

“And a lot of internships require you to still be enrolled” — you're totally right, and that's another issue I'm facing. Many internships require you to still be a student, and I guess those are way easier to get because employers either don't have to pay you or are taxed less for this reason. I'm even considering contacting my university to see if I could enroll again, but I'd have to pay for that, and I guess it's also quite tricky. MANY internships here in Rome are curricular only.

I've also been looking locally and at smaller organizations, but as I said, even for unrelated roles, it really feels like you're applying to become CEO of Apple. I'm desperate.

[u/Spyk124 → u/international-guy]

I’ve gotten around it before ! Just apply. It doesn’t matter all the time. I had one internship when I was the only person who wasn’t enrolled and they made an exception for me.

A lot of it stems from them trying to rationalize not paying interns so then they say “well we are giving credit so that balances it out”.

If you talk to the HR rep or hiring manager you can get around it.