Pursuing a degree in peace, war, and defense studies can help you advance your competencies in navigating human conflict and security. Earning such a credential can prepare you to pursue a diverse array of career paths through which you can make a difference in the lives of others. If you’re a current student, it might be helpful for you to review the roles you may be eligible for after earning your degree. In this article, we discuss the fields you can enter with this credential and list eight jobs for you to consider in your search postgraduation.
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What can you do with a peace, war, and defense degree?
There are many career paths you can pursue after earning a degree in peace, war and defense studies. Graduates with this credential are often able to think critically, generate creative solutions, resolve conflicts nonviolently, communicate expertly and effectively implement strategies. With these valuable competencies in mind, here are a few of the fields candidates can enter after pursuing this degree:
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Counseling: Those who graduate with this degree may be able to pursue careers in counseling that focus on trauma therapy, victim support and protection, restorative justice, community advocacy, immigration and refugee resettlement.
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**Disaster management:** Students of peace, war and defense studies may find roles in the disaster management field related to emergency response, crisis care, public health, social services and crisis management.
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Government: Earning a degree in this major can help students jumpstart careers in government, including those related to diplomacy, defense, disarmament, military relations, post-war reconstruction, peace negotiation and human rights.
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Conflict resolution: Graduates of peace, war and defense studies programs often develop skills in conflict resolution and may be effective in careers related to intercultural negotiation, civil disputes, teaching, marriage and family reconciliation and violence prevention.
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Development: Careers in development, including those related to international development, economic sustainability, housing and urban development, democratic advocacy, environmental sustainability, infrastructure and social services, may be suitable for graduates with this degree.
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Threat mitigation: There are various roles available to candidates with this degree that deal with the mitigation of threats like social injustice, systemic discrimination, climate change, gender-based violence, propaganda dissemination, war, terrorism and genocide.
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Law: Those who study peace, war and defense may be interested in legal careers, especially roles that specifically handle human rights, immigration, labor, environmental or migration law.
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Business: There are careers in business that may be suitable for graduates with this degree, including jobs in human resources, sustainability consulting, corporate social responsibility coordination, public relations, contract negotiation and development.
8 jobs to consider after earning a peace, war, and defense degree
Using the career paths above as a guide, here are eight jobs to include in your job search after earning your degree in peace, war and defense studies, including salary information and descriptions of each role’s primary duties. For the most up-to-date Indeed salary information, please click the links below:
1. Counselor
National average salary: $30,029 per year
Primary duties: Counselors help their clients identify and cope with challenges that impact their mental health, well-being and quality of life. These professionals may work with individuals, couples, families or community groups and guide them in understanding and managing their issues. Counselors can specialize in various fields, including trauma, grief, marriage or substance abuse counseling.
2. Professor
National average salary: $53,706 per year
Primary duties: Professors work for higher education institutions such as colleges and universities and serve in a multifaceted capacity as instructors, researchers and mentors. They often specialize in a discipline of their interest and are responsible for creating syllabi, building course curricula, teaching students, mentoring them and evaluating their progress. Depending on their particular role, professors may conduct research and write about their findings.
3. Conflicts manager
National average salary: $56,305 per year
Primary duties: Conflict managers oversee departments that specialize in conflict resolution within organizational structures. These professionals may serve in a client-based role and help maintain positive relationships. Conflict managers may work alongside attorneys to mitigate potential legal conflicts.
4. Lawyer
National average salary: $74,113 per year
Primary duties: Lawyers counsel clients by advising them and representing them throughout legal processes. They’re typically responsible for communicating with their clients, interfacing with colleagues and judges, conducting research, and analyzing information to form an argument on behalf of their clients. Lawyers may specialize in a certain area, including labor, immigration, human rights, family or business law.
5. Disaster recovery manager
National average salary: $78,493 per year
Primary duties: Disaster recovery managers work for nonprofit and government organizations. These professionals are typically responsible for developing, implementing and managing plans that aid in recovery post-disasters. Disaster recovery managers may specialize in different approaches, including those related to public health, natural disasters, war, IT or even business.
6. Development director
National average salary: $78,558 per year
Primary duties: Development directors commonly work on behalf of nonprofit or community organizations. These professionals are typically responsible for overseeing initiatives that help such organizations raise money to fund their operations. In addition, development directors may manage funds, build relationships with donors and work alongside board members to write grant proposals.
7. Policy analyst
National average salary: $78,653 per year
Primary duties: Policy analysts may assume duties like conducting research, analyzing the efficacy of existing legislation and drafting plans for new programs, initiatives, or policies that can help meet specific goals. These professionals may review policy drafts, manage amendments and make suggestions regarding the improvement of certain policies.
8. Diplomatic agent
National average salary: $97,444 per year
Primary duties: Diplomatic agents work on behalf of the government to represent and protect the interests of nationals in different countries and territories. These professionals may facilitate negotiations, make strategic agreements, attend conventions, oversee trade and commerce matters and maintain friendly relations with officials from other states.
