International Law: Careers Spanning the Globe

Summary:

International law, also called the law of nations, is a great career option for those looking to help solve issues on a global scale. Pre-college online courses help you start in HS. Here are a few career options to consider:

Key Points:

• Mediator
• Judge
• Diplomat
• Policy analyst
• Lawyer

Mediator. Judge. Diplomat. Policy Analyst. Lawyer. 

All these jobs fall under the international law umbrella of professions. According to Indeed.com, international law is an interdisciplinary subject concerned with the rules, regulations, principles, and practices that govern or inform the relations between nations, international organizations, and sometimes individuals. The scope of international law (also called public international law and the law of nations), covers a broad range of topics, including trade, war, human rights, diplomacy, even space travel. 

In this article, we’ll review just what it means to work in international law, its connection to international relations, and law opportunities for high school students. First, let’s take a deeper dive into how international law works.

What International Lawyers Do

According to Forbes Advisor, international law establishes guidelines across many domains to prevent hostility among nations of the world, these include:

• International trade.
• Human rights.
• Prevention of war.
• Migration.
• Territorial sovereignty.
• Environmental justice.
• Fair treatment of prisoners.

This highly specialized profession is growing by leaps and bounds. As the world gets smaller, individuals with broad expertise are in demand. But, the legal industry is also growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), lawyers make a median annual salary of $145,760, with a projected 8% employment growth rate for lawyers, including international lawyers, from 2022 to 2032. However, depending on their expertise and location, this salary can double! 

International law is a lucrative career choice, coupled with the satisfying notion that you’re part of a global community looking to make the world a better place. Does this sound like a potential future career choice? Did you know that you can get started on trying out international law — and international relations courses — with high school law classes online?

International Law Courses for High School Students

Georgetown University has not one, but two relevant courses. In International Law: Protecting the World's Interests, you will explore how international law is created, how jurisdiction works, how international treaties are negotiated, and how international law is enforced. You’ll even break down a simulated case study on the war in Ukraine. In addition to this youth program to learn about the international law, Georgetown offers an international relations program for high school students. In the course International Relations: How the World Works, you’ll explore the players, goals, and rules of the game of international relations; and delve into the intricacies of human rights, genocide, and the world economy.

Rice University is another excellent choice with their precollege course Global Affairs: Exploring Changing Political Systems. In this sought-after course, you’ll learn to think critically about the differences between democracies, semi-democracies, and authoritarian regimes. Plus, you'll explore the decline of democracies over the past few decades, using data on each country’s economic, cultural, and political science profiles. 

International law is a lucrative and rewarding career choice. Getting a taste for this profession while in high school will undoubtedly set you ahead of the pack when you’re ready to apply to college. Learn more here.