Long-Term Prospects

•  Back

Job Satisfaction

General quality of life statement

We'll be honest: when it comes to quality of life, IR is a coin toss. The stress levels are high, the initial pay is low, and the job satisfaction rate is at 51%—meaning there's a 49% chance of being unsatisfied.

When Joe Average graduates, full of hope and wearing a stupid hat, he's likely heading for an internship. Hopefully it's a paying one, but if not, he'll be moving back in with the parents. Interns pull long hours and unless sleep is not a requirement for survival anymore, there's not going to be time for a secondary job.

Starting salaries earn a measly $33K per year, which will keep you fed and housed but not exactly rolling in it. Your internship will hopefully give way to a low-level paid job in Washington, where you'll help with paperwork and fetch the coffees. Not exactly what you had in mind, is it? Unfortunately, only the experienced get to see some real action. You need to figure out how Washington really works before you can start playing a role.

If you manage to stick it out, you can become a diplomat, and that's when poop gets real. You'll be sent abroad a lot. Homesickness, isolation, and meetings will become a regular part of your life. You may not get to see your family or friends a lot. You will, however, get to see the world—and maybe even improve it.

Your salary's never going to be great, but you'll be able to get by just fine. Sure, you're not making as much as an astrophysicist, but what's so great about that job anyway? They just stare up into the sky, you get to play relationship therapist for entire countries.

25th Percentile Salary

Median Salary

75th Percentile Salary

•  Back