Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies

Shaping Confident, Forward-Thinking Global Professionals

Students at Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) learn early on to expect change throughout their career — and to adapt strategically and confidently across sectors and roles.

Amid ongoing shifts and evolving job markets, Michael McKenzie, assistant dean for global careers, offers a steady outlook. “Things change and we have to adjust,” he says. “You can’t control what happens, but you can control your response. The ability to reflect on your skills and translate them, that’s key.”

Adaptability is intentionally cultivated at SAIS through an integrated academic model that mirrors the interconnectedness of the global landscape. The school’s flagship master’s degree programs — the MA in International Relations; MA in Strategy, Cybersecurity, and Intelligence; and MA in International Economics and Finance — are designed to foster interdisciplinary engagement.

“Although the programs have very structured, specific curricula, there’s still crossover,” McKenzie says. “The professors are teaching across multiple programs, so students are exposed to a broader mix of perspectives.”

This academic integration is reinforced through joint initiatives, collaborative projects, shared career clubs, and global career treks across the US, Europe, and Asia. These experiences build networks, expand global awareness, and give students the chance to explore roles in public policy, finance, consulting, and emerging sectors, like technology and AI, while developing the agility to move between them with confidence.

SAIS builds student expertise through a combination of rigorous, skills-based coursework and real-world application. Classes in areas such as quantitative analysis, risk assessment, and strategic planning are taught by professionals with extensive experience in government, multilateral institutions, and the private sector. Students apply these skills in internships at institutions like the World Bank and US Department of State, and in faculty-led practicum courses with client-facing consulting engagements that prepare students to perform in complex, fast-changing environments.

Through its global presence in Washington, DC; Bologna, Italy; and Nanjing, China, SAIS gives students access to regionally grounded expertise, diverse professional networks, and a uniquely international perspective that deepens their understanding of global dynamics and enhances career readiness. “I’ve seen people at SAIS go into government, then pivot. They move around the world,” McKenzie explains. “Those stories become part of our own institutional knowledge, which is really helpful for students to see a bit of the path forward.”

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Expert Guidance and Real-World Connections

To advance their professional goals, students can work one-on-one with experienced SAIS global careers counselors, gaining tailored guidance in defining objectives, exploring career paths, securing internships, and developing personalized plans. They sharpen market-ready professional skills through professional development courses, industry-specific job search workshops, and over 20 professional skills courses. The program also opens doors to a vast alumni network and potential employers through career treks, industry days, and employer presentations that often lead to internships, job offers, and lasting professional connections.

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Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
sais.jhu.edu
[email protected]
202-663-5600