Getting Involved at University
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Author: Jennifer Engl
Jennifer is a fourth-year undergrad studying international relations with a concentration in peace and justice at Roanoke College, Virginia, although originally from Germany. Along with her course work she is engaged in undergraduate research on the topic of corporate political action in rising democracies. In her personal studies, she focuses on children’s rights and women’s rights and plans to pursue a masters and career in international law on the topic of children’s rights.
When I ran into my next-door neighbour today, we had the necessary daily small talk and I had to face a question about my studies: What can you do with international relations? I got into international relations because I love the subject and because I wanted to learn about the topic, not because I had a dream job on my mind. So, I resorted to the easiest answer whenever the topic comes up “oh you can work in diplomacy”. While diplomacy makes up a big portion of the international affairs field there is so much more to it. If you, like me, are interested in international affairs but have no idea what you want to work as in your later job life I might have a solution for you: get involved during your university years.
Give A Little, Get A Lot
There are many organizations that you can join while you are studying that focus on international affairs and foreign policy. Joining one of them is a lot of fun and can help you find your future career field. When joining an organization that is focused on foreign policy you will meet both like minded people and those who challenge you. This can spark interesting conversations and discussions that you will only experience within these facilities; in which you can learn a lot of new things and realize where your true interests lie. Fortunately, positions in university clubs and organizations can count as work experience, as well as acting as pre-work networking opportunities. Through this you can automatically learn if the direction you are heading into is the right one for you or if you need to think about a redirection. Maybe you will even find out what career field you want to pursue after graduation, jackpot!
Ways to Get Involved
Most universities offer at least two organizations in which you can engage with foreign politics: Model UN and the Public Affairs Society. These are amazing starting points to dip your toe in the waters of international and political affairs. Do not worry if you would rather get engaged with human rights, global gender equity or sustainability however as there is something for you too -- If the organization that you would like to join is not represented at your university you can always start your own chapter. To find an organization that I was interested in starting myself, I had to do a ton of research. I would have loved a diverse list of possibilities to get involved during my university years. The following list is designed to serve you for that exact purpose and save you some time.
Go Explore Here
Women’s Rights, Children’s Rights, Feminist Foreign Politics, Gender Politics
Girl Up is an initiative founded by the UN foundation in order to support United Nations programs. They are focused on adolescent girls and issues such as gender violence, gender equality and education.
Girl Up has a chapter program for schools and universities, so you will join a massive community of thousands of girls fighting for more gender equality. They provide a lot of tools and ideas on how to build up your leadership qualities. The main incentives are to advocate for gender equality and fundraise for the head organization. Once a year, they offer a leadership summit for students. Speakers in the past have been i.e. Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and Meghan Markle.
Do you have an amazing idea already but don’t know how to pay for it? Girl Up offers the option to apply for a grant, so nothing can stop your club’s big ideas!
Women’s Rights, Children’s Rights, Feminist Foreign Politics, Gender Politics
She’s the First is a New York based nonprofit organization that is concerned with gender equality in education. Their main goals are advocacy to spread knowledge on education inequality and fundraising to give girls all over the world the chance to gain an education. Although the organization is based in the United States you can start a campus chapter from anywhere in the world.
Joining this club, you will learn how to advocate and how to fundraise. Campus chapters organize events to educate people on gender inequality in education issues as well as events to actively fundraise money that is then donated to the head organization. She’s the First is also focused on training young leaders and thus enabling more women in leadership positions; once a year She’s the First hosts a summit to which all campus chapters are invited.
Children’s Rights, United Nations, International Aid Programs
Unicef is a subdivision of the United Nations that fights for children’s rights internationally. They are concerned with questions of education, health care, violence against children and many more. When joining this organization you will learn a lot about the head organization Unicef, about organizing educational events, fundraising and political advocacy.
If you are a student starting this club on your campus you will find a starter kit offered by Unicef, as well as ideas for events, membership tips, a fundraising guide and even some free merch once you officially register your club! You are required to organize at least five events in a year.
Human Rights, Lobbying, Advocacy
Amnesty International is a “global movement”, an organization that demands and fights for human rights and justice.
Through joining Amnesty International you will be concerned with human rights in general, especially AI’s current agendadon. You can expect to be involved in advocacy and protesting, as well as getting involved in bigger, national movements. In some countries you can even invite an Amnesty trainer for free to run a workshop on human rights at your university!
Starting a campus chapter for Amnesty International is free, however if you choose to become a member you can pay a small fee (~$15) and vote, for example, on what issues the head organization should focus on. Amnesty International offers starter kits for newly established campus chapters.
Climate Change, Sustainable Development, Lobbying, Advocacy
If you are concerned with environmental rights and sustainability politics, Greenpeace might be your organization. It is composed of independent, national and regional groups that all fight for a greener and more peaceful world. Here, your tasks will be to advocate to stop climate change and protect the environment. Student chapters get engaged by starting their own campaigns on specific environmental topics, giving educational seminars or hosting documentary screenings.
Greenpeace does not directly offer a student chapter program, but you are free to start a campaign from wherever you are. The organization offers a guide on how to win campaigns and they even host free global volunteer leadership training online.
Political Party Campus Group
National Politics, Party Organization, Campaigning
Joining a political party student group can be your entry ticket to national politics. For many student groups you do not have to pay the party fee, as you can be part of a university subgroup without being a member of the party externally. Most domestic parties offer the option to start a campus group for them if there is not one. You can still become involved in political discussion however and, depending on where you live, even run for local office.
Final Thoughts
I hope this list has given you some ideas and motivation to jump right in and get engaged on your own campus. If you choose to invite student activities into your life, they can make a big part of what you get out of your university years beyond a degree. There are many benefits for your potential work future which cannot only be helpful but also extremely fulfilling. Not to mention clubs and organizations are an easy way to meet people who have similar interests, which builds the ground for lifelong friendships. So, hopefully this article can help you kickstart what you’re interested in while you are still in university and that eventually it will help you to get closer to your dream job in foreign politics, whatever the branch you decide to choose!
Edited by Lauren Matthews
Published 5th January 2021