What do i study!?

Question

I've grown quite interested in politics, world issues, conflict resolution Etc. In a few years i would like to work with something along these lines. I wanna be part of an organization that solves issues like if there is a civil war, how do we stop it? what do we do with the refugees, the homeless, the poor, the dying Etc.? Like the current event in Sudan and all the people that are forced to flee into the neighboring country, Chad. I wanna know how to stabilize a nation, get people back on their feet, establish the right government. Etc. (I know that was very vague, but you get the idea right?)

Problem is, i don't know where to begin. I'm about to start university, which courses should i take that would enable me to do this in a couple of years?

Answer 1

i guess your best bet is for you to study History or Internation Relations

Answer 2

This is not a line of work one gets into after "a couple years" study - it may well require graduate school in addition to the undergrad.

The area you're talking about is a subfield of political science but a background in any social science will put you in the right ballpark. Specifically, you're talking about International Humanitarian Law/Relief and there are all sorts of professionals needed in that arena.

Political Science, Area Studies, History, Sociology, and Economics are all important areas for this field. Much of the study directly related to your inquiry will be at the graduate level in programs such as Peace Studies or International Law dealing with the many NGOs.

Studying issues such as homelessness, hunger, death, etc... are functions of sociology. The underlying cause of the homelessness though may be a function of economics. The results on of famine or war on the public infrastructure would fall to Civil Engineers and Public Health.

I almost always suggest "school first" but in your case you may want to examine the many NGO agencies and see if there's a job you can get with one so that you can explore exactly what area of saving the world you're most interested in studying.

Answer 3

Study economics if you want to work on large sustainability plans affecting an entire country. By study I mean a graduate program, as undergrad econ isn't enough to launch a career like that. Once you've earned your advanced degree many go on to intern at a major development bank of some sort, such as the Asian development Bank. You gain expertise there then eventually part ways to specialize where you wish.