Let's face it - “career” sounds like a scary word when you’re just starting university. But building your future doesn’t need to be stressful or boring. In fact, it can be exciting, social, and even kind of fun! Whether you want to work in diplomacy, policy, the private sector or a totally different field, there are tons of opportunities at your disposal - you just need to know where to look ;)

Here you will find a year-by-year breakdown of small, practical steps that will make a big difference down the line. From networking (we promise it's less awkward than you think!) to  gaining experience and planning your next move, we’ve got you covered with this simple How-To Guide!

First year
Believe it or not, your career actually starts in your very first year at university. There are countless opportunities waiting for you, and chances are, your friends and family have already shared their advice on how to get ahead. Now, it’s time to hear from the real experts: seasoned students who’ve been there, done that, and gathered their best tips and tricks for you ;).

For starters, joining Clio is one of the best things you could do. Not only do they offer unforgettable evenings, but they also offer a range of aspects that can benefit your career. Think, for example, of the amazing Career Day and Career Trip that the Career Committee organises every year for you! These events aim to acquaint you with people and companies within the field of IR, and to allow you to network! Because let’s be honest, a career without a network is like a phone with no signal — you’ve got all the potential, but no one’s picking up ;). Within Clio, you also have multiple CV-boosting opportunities, such as joining a committee (Career Committee is highly recommended ;)). Being in a committee can help you gain and develop different skillsets, provide you with new connections, and, you make friends for life! Sounds really fun, right?

Besides Clio, the university’s own resources also provide services you can use during your first year. For example, the university’s Career Services offers a wide range of workshops, from how to write a motivation letter to how to give an amazing elevator pitch. And the best part - it’s free for UG students! (Bet your slowly-Dutchifying heart just skipped a beat ;)) Below you can find a link to the website of the Career Services from the university!

Besides engaging in workshops, we also advise you to update your CV and make a LinkedIn account! As stated before, your career will benefit from an amazing network, so connect with your friends, people from your seminar group, and Clio members! 

Lastly, if you want to develop great skills and add something impressive to your CV, Honours College is a great option! Within Honours College, you have the opportunity to connect with people from all faculties and to further enhance your skills in presenting, writing, teamwork and debating. It allows you to enrich your knowledge on different subjects besides your Bachelor’s Programme. You can also find a link to the website of Honours College down below, where you can find more detailed information.

https://www.rug.nl/careerservices/ 
https://www.rug.nl/education/honours-college/?lang=en

​Second year
Welcome to second year! This is the year when you can really start to connect the dots between your studies and your future career. By now, you’ve probably settled into the rhythm of uni life and are ready to start gaining experience that goes beyond lectures and seminars. This is the perfect time to explore different paths, boost your CV, and discover what gets you excited professionally.

Let’s start with one of the most impactful things you can do: apply for internships or volunteer positions. Even if it’s just a few hours a week, gaining experience in a field you’re curious about helps you build practical skills and get a better sense of what you might want to do after graduation. And yes - the Clio internship database is your new best friend ;)

If internships feel like a big step, consider becoming a student assistant. Whether you help with teaching, research, or administrative tasks, this is a flexible and paid opportunity that looks great on your CV! Plus, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how the university world (and sneak in a closer connection with your professors…). The application email gets sent out around the end of January, so keep an eye out in your uni inbox!

Another option that combines learning and career development is doing a Career Minor. This allows you to dive deeper into applied fields like policy-making, sustainability, or media and communication -  a great way to explore career options while still earning credits!

This is also the year to get more intentional with your networking. Talk to third-years, master’s students, and alumni. Attend career events not just to listen, but to ask questions. And don’t be afraid to follow up with speakers or professionals on LinkedIn. Spoiler alert: most people LOVE talking about what they do, especially to curious students!

All in all, second year is about exploration and experience. Try things out, ask questions, and start building a profile that reflects your strengths and interests. That way, when the third year rolls around, you’ll already have a clearer sense of direction - and the tools to take it even further.

Third year
Congrats, you have made it to the third year! This year is all about expanding your horizons by, for example, going on a minor abroad, or doing a career/university minor! Your minor is a great way to look further into what interests you and a great precursor to the second semester where you will focus on your thesis- how exciting! 

At this point, you are probably in an advanced stage of starting your career. Again, the university offers different possibilities to help you with this. To start, you can apply to become a student mentor. This entails helping first-year students transition from high school to university as smoothly as possible. You would lead a group of first years and share your experiences within the programme! Being a student mentor not only looks good on your CV, but also provides you with an opportunity to give back to the programme that gave you so much :).

Unfortunately, good things always come to an end, and this programme is no exception. It is advised to start looking at master’s programmes within or outside of Groningen early and attend as many open days as possible! The RUG International Relations master's programme is a great opportunity to deepen your knowledge of IR-related issues. The master's programme consists of five tracks: International Security, International Political Economy, European Politics in a Global Perspective, Geopolitics and Connectivity, International Relations and International Organisation, and lastly East Asian Studies. Down below, you can find the link to this amazing programme! 

https://www.rug.nl/masters/international-relations-60-ec/?lang=en
Lastly, another thing you could consider is applying for summer schools/internships within your field of interest. We know you are probably thinking that summer is for relaxing, but this is a great time to develop yourself and your skills, get to know more people, and add more experiences to your CV! The RUG offers a wide range of summer schools and courses, such as the Illicit Trade, AI in Higher Education and Intercultural Communication! Again, you can find the link below. 

Summer internships are also an amazing way to get to know what it is like to actually work within the field of IR. It might be a hassle to find them, but with the amazing network that you have built over the years and your now developed research skills, they should be relatively easy to find! And lucky for you, we are going to give you some ideas: the UN, EU or NGO’s like Amnesty International or Human Rights Watch often provide summer schools! Make sure you take a look at their websites, and we are sure you can find something that fits your interests ;). Good luck!!

https://www.rug.nl/education/summer-winter-schools/summer-schools/sorted-by-theme/history-and-international-relations 

So there you have it - your three-year roadmap to career success! From exploring and experimenting in your first year, to gaining hands-on experience in your second, and finally putting it all together in your third year. You now have a solid plan to build on!
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Remember, you don’t need to have everything figured out right away. The most important thing is to start somewhere - take small steps, follow your interests, and don’t be afraid to ask for help along the way!

Your career doesn’t begin after graduation. It all starts now - and you’re already on your way. Good luck, and most importantly, enjoy the journey!!

By Sanne Korporaal and Linnea Krantz