SIA grads successful in employment searches

Almost 94 percent of School of International Affairs students who graduated in 2014 and 96 percent in 2013 have career placements or are continuing with their education, according to SIA Director of Career Services, Grant Littke.

Because most students hold an internship, or even several, before they finish the program, students obtain the on-the-job skills and work experience needed for their future international affairs careers.

Students accepted jobs with a number of international corporations, government, and nonprofit organizations, including the United Nations, the Peace Corps, The National Institutes of Health, The Japanese Foreign Ministry, Caterpillar Corporation, and the Kazakh Foreign Ministry.

“Penn State is a big draw for employers in the international affairs field,” Littke said. “SIA has high-quality students, but the recruiters can also look at students from other majors and colleges for positions. They find that our students are very competitive.”

SIA students do so well in finding jobs because they learn by doing, they have a rigorous curriculum, which is tailored toward their specialty, and also have strong interpersonal skills.

SIA’s class of 2014 had 75.9 percent of students employed full time, with 13.8 percent continuing with further education, and 3.4 percent of students going on to volunteer programs. The class of 2013 had 72.7 percent of students employed full time, and 24.2 percent seeking pursuing education.

“The Career Services Office works one-on-one with students to find jobs and internship opportunities,” Littke said. “The office also provides tools for students to get jobs including professional development workshops, recruiter visits, career exposure trips, and more to help students make the transition from academic study to professional opportunities.”

Click for the complete 2014 and 2013 employment placement statistics.