Post: #1

Dear forum,

I'd like some input on finding a job in the EU. I have a MA degree in IR related subject (Peace and Conflict Studies), which would be THE area for me, but unfortunately this sector seems to be exclusively restricted to the state (foreign and defence ministries, perhaps some think tanks) and it's really hard to get a public sector job in my small Baltic state. Ideally, I'd work for a private intelligence firm, but as you can imagine there are not that many around in this neck of the woods.

I wouldn't mind doing another internship, but internships in this field are unpaid and my wallet cannot sustain my life in e.g. Brussels fro 6 months, especially after living in Sweden for a year.

The wages here are really sh*t and finding work above customer services is pretty rough, thus I'd like to find either a) job that pays b) job/something that leads towards something connected with my studies.

Shoot!

Thanks in advance!

Post: #2

willing to bet those jobs all need IT people or developers that are willing to work for not so decent wages.

Your ability to quantify your field and make it amenable to algorithms seems to be the ticket nowadays.

WIA

Post: #3

The other opportunity is on the financial side. If you can bring money into those organizations, you'll more than pay for your salary.

But actually doing the academic things you were trained for? Good luck.

Post: #4

(11-13-2013 07:10 AM)WestIndianArchie Wrote:  The other opportunity is on the financial side. If you can bring money into those organizations, you'll more than pay for your salary.

But actually doing the academic things you were trained for? Good luck.

On this note here is some of my brainstorming (seeing you asked for it), you'll need some good experience and/or references for them, otherwise you're going to have to spam approach your way to an offer:

-find an arrangement where you are writing blogs, analysis, journal articles or even better marketing/fundraising copywriting for a firm, you can maybe do this work remotely, get paid a Belgium rate, and live with a Baltic cost of living.

-for an NGO agency/institution/think tank/whatever that doesn't have a media/publishing presence, offer to create and market a blog or subscription based analysis in their field of expertise (think along the lines of a specialised, tightly focussed version of Stratfor, the EIU, Oxford Analytica etc..). Come to a financial agreement that suits you, maybe a salary, maybe performance based payments, maybe a one-off seed payment that covers your wage and set up expenses.

Both of these are pretty vague but maybe they'll put you on the right track to an idea.

Post: #5

Getting work is all about who you know or who you blow my friend. Network.

Post: #6

(11-13-2013 10:00 AM)Parlay44 Wrote:  Getting work is all about who you know or who you blow my friend. Network.

Seconded.