September 28, 2015, by Rachelle Wilber – You may have joined the military for any number of reasons. Perhaps you wanted to take a stand against terrorism. Maybe you wanted to participate in a long-standing family tradition. Or you wanted to take advantage of the pay and benefits.
Though you’ve learned a lot since your initial enlistment, you might want to consider furthering your education as well. A master degree in diplomacy will complement your current knowledge of politics and negotiation, as well as help you gain a better knowledge of foreign affairs.
Still not convinced? Thoughtfully consider the following.
You’ll Become a Better Leader
As an officer you need to be able to rally your troops and lead individuals into potentially dangerous and frightening situations. If you struggle to lead, your team might misunderstand your instructions or choose to follow their own paths rather than your established plan.
With a degree in diplomacy, you’ll learn to effectively manage teams and communicate your expectations. You will also find out how to delegate tasks and build positive relationships based on mutual respect.
You’ll Combat Terrorism
Want to have a stronger impact in the war against terrorism? Some diplomacy programs let you concentrate on terrorism and its role within the international community.
With these programs, you’ll discover the psychology and strategies that fuel acts of terrorism, as well as make connections between terrorism and organized crime. As a result, you’ll find new ways to approach terrorism and practice positive international affairs.
You’ll Avoid Unnecessary Conflict
As an officer, you likely already know that violence only works best as a last resort. Ideally, you want to solve potentially volatile situations before they escalate and put your entire team on the line.
When you take classes in diplomacy, you’ll develop peacekeeping skills that you can use throughout your career and your lifetime. You’ll examine causes behind conflict and war, as well as study the best techniques for negotiating peace. Furthermore, you’ll learn about how to promote rebuilding and recovery after conflict occurs.
You’ll Gain Essential Job Skills
Although you may choose to stay as soldier for the rest of your life, many individuals do find more personally fulfilling careers in other areas. Your military background will give you multiple job opportunities, but a degree in diplomacy will give you the skills to hold onto your job for years to come.
Diplomacy degrees prepare you for a number of business situations, from communicating with easily-irritated employers to encouraging your fellow employees to meet high productivity demands. With your degree, you could explore jobs in the Civilian Response Corp, the Peace Corps, the US Embassies and Consulates, and even the US Intelligence Community. For more information about the benefits of a diplomacy degree, don’t hesitate to talk to a college counselor.
Bio: Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn’t on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on twitter: @RachelleWilber