After nearly 25 years working in international affairs—first as a young U.S. Army officer during the early years of the so-called global war on terror, then as a rare U.S. national appointed as a special advisor in the British government, and later in leadership roles at major Washington think tanks—I’ve had the privilege of mentoring hundreds of undergraduate students and interns. Many of them have asked me the same question: How do I land my first job in international affairs?

As students return to their campuses after what was hopefully a busy and productive summer—or as recent graduates begin to reckon with the realities of post-university life and the job market—this is an ideal moment to take stock. If you’re interested in a career in international affairs, now is the time to begin thinking strategically about how to land that all-important first job.

As students return to their campuses after what was hopefully a busy and productive summer—or as recent graduates begin to reckon with the realities of post-university life and the job market—this is an ideal moment to take stock. If you’re interested in a career in international affairs, now is the time to begin thinking strategically about how to land that all-important first job.

After nearly 25 years working in international affairs—first as a young U.S. Army officer during the early years of the so-called global war on terror, then as a rare U.S. national appointed as a special advisor in the British government, and later in leadership roles at major Washington think tanks—I’ve had the privilege of mentoring hundreds of undergraduate students and interns. Many of them have asked me the same question: How do I land my first job in international affairs?

These repeated conversations prompted me to write this article. While there’s no single formula, there are practical, proven ways to improve your chances. What follows is a collection of my best advice to help graduates and early career professionals step into the world of international affairs.

1. Should you go to grad school now or later?

This is one of the most frequent questions I get when I speak with undergraduates. Graduate school is a major investment. Don’t rush into it unless you’re confident about the issue area you want to study. Getting a few years of real-world work experience under your belt will sharpen your focus and make you a stronger candidate when you do apply.

That said, if you’re a recent graduate and struggling to land your first job—and already know exactly what you want to study—there’s nothing wrong with an early start with grad school.