What sounds better:
MA Intl Relations or
MA Intl Security Studies
I hold offers for both courses, and need to decide asap.
The course content bar the core module is pretty much identical.
Re: Clever Guppies: need an opinion...
I've never heard of Intl. Security Studies. But I have heard of International Relations.
I think the more recognizable one will be the IR degree.
Depends on your focus.
Re: Clever Guppies: need an opinion...
But will ISS make me stand out, being a tad different?
Re: Clever Guppies: need an opinion...
Have you looked at the occupational handbook at your university? It will give you an idea of what is sought after.
I dont really know because I am currently in a different field.
Why dont you talk to an advisor at your school or the Dean of the department?
Re: Clever Guppies: need an opinion...
Its not my dept until I accept one of these offers.
I have until next week or something to get my acceptance slip to them...I cant decide.
Re: Clever Guppies: need an opinion...
Thats why I recommend speaking to the deans and possibly even professors of the different departments. They can give you a better perspective.
The occupational handbook is found in the reference section of the library usually.
Re: Clever Guppies: need an opinion...
Seen.
Any other guys have a view on this?
What will have greater career impact?
Re: Clever Guppies: need an opinion...
What career are you looking for?
Re: Clever Guppies: need an opinion...
When you ask which one "sounds better", it depends on what you want to do. If you plan to go into some sort of intelligence or security career, then INt'l security studies sounds better. But realize that this label will limit you. International Relations is recocgized and accepted by most nations. It all boils down to what you want when you're done with your studies yeah?
Re: Clever Guppies: need an opinion...
Not sure to be honest. ISS is focused on the cold war and post CW security scenario, and my specialist interest is the Truman administration and the establishment of the PPS under Clarke Clifford. That is my academic interest-so from that POV its the degree more interesting to me.
But I dont want to limit myself. Isnt ISS a globally accepted subject area. Many US unis seem to offer related fields of strategic studies and security studies.
Re: Clever Guppies: need an opinion...
You have to look beyond that and see who is being hired for what jobs yeah? I would think that ISS is generally accepted but its not too common so most companies or govt agencies will go with people who have majors they are familiar with and worry about the finer details later. The things you learn in skool tend to be more toward teaching you "how" to think rather than gearing you or training you for a specific job. That may be something to keep in mind...so look for the finer differences between the majors you are considering and the ways that they are teaching you to think and how each could be applied to what you'd like to do in the future.
Re: Clever Guppies: need an opinion...
What sounds better:
MA Intl Relations
You don't need a college degree for that. Get on yahoo chat and find yourself a wife from the west. Didn't a lahori guy just do that.
Re: Clever Guppies: need an opinion...
LGB,
I’ve said this a couple of times before and will say it again that you need to carve out a plan that’s based on your objectives and goals rather than be passive about pursuing a program and see where that leads you.
You’ve already dropped out of a program where you realized that there was a huge gap in your expectations from the program and what it actually offered you. This is bound to happen again if you don’t know what you want to get into. Sometimes it sounds as if you want to get a graduate degree just for the heck of it. Ideally, you should have had some industry experience before embarking on graduate coursework. It becomes easier to justify your choices that way.
In any case, to answer your specific question, I would certainly select the IR program because of its strong global recognition, well established academic basis, and demonstrated workplace application. On the other hand, although the ISS program may sound novel and unique, it may be too abstract at this time to provide an inclusive educational experience. From my experience in North America, a few schools have started to offer some courses under the ISS umbrella but if you look carefully, most of these are not degree-granting programs. Courses are offered as part of interdisciplinary studies initiatives where students from other degree granting programs can take ISS related electives. Typically, you will find students who’re pursuing Political Science, International Relations, Public Policy and Global Strategy as their graduate concentrations affiliating themselves with an ISS oriented research center at their institutions.
In any case, the ultimate decision is yours and I would again humbly suggest that you not reverse-engineer your options and rather adopt a goal oriented approach to deciding what you want to do.
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Re: Clever Guppies: need an opinion...
Umar bro, that is sound advice...but I find it hard to work like that. I bit courses on the grounds that I'll enjoy them...but you are right that this method has cost me a year of my life after I pulled the plug on KCL.
IR or ISS...I'm going to get back to those guys on Monday, so need to get this right.
IR you say. Its obviously something I considered or I wouldnt have applied for it.
Someone make this easier for me!
Re: Clever Guppies: need an opinion...
You don't need a college degree for that. Get on yahoo chat and find yourself a wife from the west. Didn't a lahori guy just do that.
:D
West born and raised, so just find a local girl is what you meant to say.
Re: Clever Guppies: need an opinion...
I second the opinion that goal and objective setting is absolutely necessary and for that you need to be aware of what YOU are good at. You need to look into YOURSELF deep and deeper to know your talents, natural gifts, aptitude, attitude etc........ on which trail you run, not just tread.
Generally talking, defintely IR.
Re: Clever Guppies: need an opinion...
How do I go about having a career plan?
I ponder joining the police force, but at this time I feel there is the matter of the MA to deal with.
Re: Clever Guppies: need an opinion...
Guys...I cant decide!
I looked at the comprehensive core module guides and whilst ISS seems more interesting, I dont want to pigeon hole myself.
Re: Clever Guppies: need an opinion...
legbreak,
Two very interesting options.
Very tough choice indeed.
I think like some ppl advised above, you should weigh what career path you prefer. Under the present global scenario ISS is very interesting and appears to be a prospering career choice with expanding avenues.
But, IR is a mother of all sort of area and with the IR degree you still have some of the ISS career or specialization options plus various other very interesting further research and academic options.
Weigh seriously. Best of luck and keep us updated.
btw, which university?
Re: Clever Guppies: need an opinion...
I have opted for IR.
if all goes well later PhD.