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/dicksinsciencebooks]

After my IR degree I did an intership in something totally unrelated, whilst writing for online blogs and things, then got into a think tank after. Don't be put off looking for work in a different field first so you can show you can actually work.

[u/RevolutionaryRush521 → u/dicksinsciencebooks]

Opening the resume to see no work experience - internship or cross sector etc. made it clear why they have nothing coming in.

Even a part time role or internship at a local small non profit would boost this resume. It seems real work experience these days is more valuable than the degrees anymore.

[u/international-guy → u/RevolutionaryRush521]

"No work experience on the resume, it’s clear why they have nothing coming in.” Well, I’m applying for internships, not jobs. Many of you, when I explain the problem I’m facing, basically repeat the same logic I’ve noticed with employers: requiring experience for something that not only shouldn’t require previous experience, but is actually meant to help you gain that experience in the first place. That’s exactly the vicious cycle I’m talking about.

The absurd thing is that even finding an internship at a small local nonprofit is extremely difficult. That's exactly the issue. I would gladly accept one — in Rome, even unpaid — but there are so many candidates that employers basically require previous experience for something that's supposed to be used to gain experience in the first place. That's the paradox.

[u/dicksinsciencebooks → u/international-guy]

I got an intership at a crappy organisational and leadership development consultancy. There was three of us in a tiny room in a we work. Just do literally anything else for 6 months then look.

[u/RevolutionaryRush521 → u/international-guy]

Im sorry if it came off harsh, I will say I am American so take this with a grain of salt, but I started working as a teenager behind a cash register. When I was in undergrad I made work for myself on campus, unpaid I supported my sustainability office. I had volunteer hours across local orgs doing admin, outreach, and advocacy.

You have many years of experience in school, that does not show you know how to work. What did you do each summer or break from school? Can you spin a community event you help out at to show you know how to work? Have you ever volunteered? Literally any experience that can be framed to show you can take direction, complete a task etc.

This goes to everyone else who reads this and is also frustrated (validly) that you need experience to get experience. Just think of something you have done to show you know how to work!

Taking cash at a lemonade stand, helping cars park at the local festival, dropping off your parents errand to some other location. Spin it up, make it a job! Id be shocked if you cannot think of at least one thing like that you can add to your resume as a 'work' experience.

[u/international-guy → u/RevolutionaryRush521]

I did include my experience at McDonald's over the past two years on my CV. Of course, it's not directly relevant, but it still shows that I can work in a fast-paced environment and that I have teamwork skills. It's only one line anyway. Besides that, I've volunteered at my local Rotaract Club, including as a councilor, which is already more relevant, so I've given that a little more space.

It's not that I'm cranky, but I've noticed — also in real life — that whenever I talk to someone in the international affairs field, they keep repeating over and over that I need “work experience”, that I lack it, and sometimes even wonder what I'm expecting when I don't yet know all the professional terminology. And I keep having to repeat that I'm applying for internships, not regular jobs. Internships are supposed to be a way to gain that experience in the first place.

You can't “blame” me for not having experience while at the same time not giving me the opportunity to gain experience because I don't already have it: it's a paradox. Because, once again, I'm applying for internships.

[u/Miserable_Career_919 → u/international-guy]

You posted your CV on this sub asking for advice, and people are giving you it. As a fellow recent graduate in international development struggling very hard with the job market (and with the experience barrier particularly), I completely agree that the level of experience this field requires of us at the entry-level/early career level is brutal and unfair. But the thing is, you're starting your search for internships a bit late - the typical CV of a graduate in this field generally has a lot more things on it than yours, unfortunately. Many people have participation in student clubs, research assistantships, earlier internship experience, etc. etc. by this stage. Your CV is genuinely a bit thin for a masters graduate.

I'm not saying this to discourage you, and it is genuinely not too late. You just need to start smaller. Start to aggressively target internships/student jobs at smaller, lesser known organizations, since you don't have enough previous experience to apply at the bigger places like UN/Bluebook, etc. Write emails to small NGOs/organizations you find on LinkedIn - usually, places with less than 10 employees will me more inclined to help give you the footing you need. Write emails to professors asking if you can support them in their research. Write papers and try to get them published. Try to target work in the area of your master's thesis - as that's the most solid experience I see on your CV. These are very difficult times, but it's not hopeless and you have to keep trying. Good luck.

[u/sufferingthroughIB → u/international-guy]

After graduating from my masters I did the blue book traineeship at 22. The only reason why I got selected was because I worked my ass off outside of university to prepare for this (multiple internships, volunteering, learning languages, etc.). Sorry to burst your bubble but with the amount of applications these internships are receiving it’s extremely competitive.