By: Mikel Kotonika

Be it an add-on to a resume or a passion worth pursuing: writing pays off. With increasing expectations in today’s technological age for individuals to create their own “brand” – the importance of sound writing skills are critical. For college students and young professionals in the vast field of international relations, these necessities have become an essential aspect of their studies and chosen career paths.

While we traditionally expect not only good writing skills but a list of published works from experts in the field of academia, we normally do not presume the same from young graduates and entry level professionals in foreign affairs. Despite the abundance of essays and research projects undertaken at the undergraduate or graduate level, many individuals find themselves either disinclined or (more likely) unprepared to cross the threshold into the published world. With the majority of students in the field opting not to pursue higher education past the graduate level (and subsequently not the academic route), the benefits of published works at the onset of a person’s career can therefore be a significant factor that may distinguish them from their peers. What’s more, published works are a great tool that can amplify a person’s name recognition, networking opportunities and success. As a result, the proven writing skills illustrate competence and commitment to perspective employers or graduate programs that an individual may be seeking.

A blue-print to success

Whether the chicken or the egg came first is debatable. In publishing, however, research did. Depending on the type of article or piece one intends to publish depends entirely (unless you’re a Head of State) on the writing style, template, and purpose – if any – of a particular newspaper, online magazine, and so forth. Thus, finding the right source to publish an idea or thought may indeed prove as important as finding the correct one. Luckily, today’s technological advances offer us the ability to find the right news organizations (and the like) at the tips of our fingers; likely not the most grueling of tasks. Since many platforms for individuals in the field are also non-partisan and offer a wide range of publishing possibilities, the options of writing on global issues are often infinite.

Upon a successful search, it is important to follow certain procedures and protocols – when needed – to pitch the desired article. Many outlets first prefer a general outline or short proposal of the piece, thus it may be important to correctly summarize key points that one intends to include and send to the editors.

The mechanics of writing

As previously mentioned, the writing style of the desired publication will depend largely on the writing style of the source. Additionally, typical publications for people in the field of international relations do not consist of long essays that one may have been accustomed to at the college level, but rather involve strong analytical and research skills in the respective field or subcategory. While the length of publications may certainly vary, sound writing skills and the ability to convey (correct) information and good writing style are essential to readers and experts in the field. Similarly, the writing should convey a deeper knowledge of the issue at hand but at the same time not dwell on the technicalities of the matter. It is therefore encouraged to keep a broader perspective and allow readers to digest information quickly and easily. Again, it may entirely depend on the audience and the usual readers of the source – this could range from experts in the field to a general population simply interested in catching up on current events.

It is also important to distinguish between the different types of writing and the point one intends to make. Posts can vary. They can be analytical, critical, informative, humorous, or all of the above. What matters, as mentioned, is the ability to grab a reader’s attention at the onset and continue toward that trend. Additionally, it is noteworthy to note that there a number of paths that one can take to publish in the field of international relations (or in any field for that matter). Although searching for different news outlets or magazines may work better for some people, others might seek solace in writing blogs, where the “mood” is traditionally lighter. In addition to the writing experience, blogs can certainly also lead to name recognition and publishing opportunities for students or interns. Therefore, it is important to distinguish between a more academic or analytical approach and a more “open” one which may include blog posts or op-ed pieces.

To conclude, a perfect example to the latter is a blog post on our Policy Interns website from Mark Bednar, an intern at the American Action Forum whose piece got picked up and published in the Chicago Tribune and the Baltimore Sun.  Though not necessarily in the field of international relations, it is a good example of how one may tackle different forums or websites dedicated to a more lighthearted approach, including op-eds. In comparison, here is my own recent publication which students and young professionals in the field of international relations may perhaps more closely relate to. Of course, this is not an attempt at boasting my own accomplishments (cough, cough) but rather an illustration to show a more research and analytic-based article which followed many of the procedures outlined in this piece. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to absorb and adapt the different approaches and also use their own creativity in establishing a writing style. Besides – just like in sports – practice matters. It is therefore always encouraged to practice and write as much (and effectively) as possible. For those hoping to carry on their careers in international relations, this responsibility will undoubtedly play a large role in their future job descriptions. The moral of the story: keep on writing!