College majors for driving global impact

If you watch the news and think, “I want to do something about that,” you’re thinking like a future global leader. For decades, many people assumed that the only way to have an international career was by studying political science or becoming a diplomat. While those paths are still fascinating and amazing, today’s interconnected world means that you can turn nearly every college major into a tool for global impact.

College majors for global change

The challenges our world faces — cybersecurity threats, pandemics, conflicts, endangered species — need diverse minds. Learn about a handful of college majors that could launch a career where your work drives positive change across the globe.

What can you do with a biomedical sciences degree?

If you earn a B.S. in one of the biomedical sciences, you could be preparing to tackle global health crises, from developing vaccines to fighting malnutrition. 

This degree gives you a deeper understanding of human health, disease, and medical research. Pair this major with a focus on public health or epidemiology if you hope to work for an organization dedicated to advancing medicine and well-being for populations worldwide.

• Global health research scientist: Work for an organization like the World Health Organization (WHO) or a pharmaceutical company to research and develop treatments for infectious diseases, like malaria or a future potential pandemic.
• Clinical trials coordinator: Manage clinical research for new drugs in different countries to ensure compliance with ethical requirements.
• Epidemiologist: Track and analyze disease outbreaks across borders to guide public health interventions.

What can you do with a business technology/administration degree?

Every global initiative, whether a major corporation or a humanitarian supply chain, needs strong management, financial oversight, and smart use of technology. A business degree with a global focus can prepare you for a role where you bring efficient, ethical, and sustainable practices to global commerce, helping to create jobs and economic stability in emerging markets.

• International supply chain manager: Design efficient and ethical ways to move products globally, championing fair labor practices and sustainability from factory to consumer.
• Microfinance analyst: Work for an international bank or nonprofit to provide small loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries, fostering local economic growth.
• International marketing specialist: Help small businesses or fair-trade organizations from one country successfully reach customers in another.

What can you do with a conflict studies/peace studies degree?

This college major focuses on the root causes of war, human rights, negotiation, and nonviolent intervention. You’ll develop a skillset in diplomacy and post-conflict development and potentially work for organizations dedicated to preventing violence, mediating disagreements, and helping communities recover from war and conflict.

• Humanitarian aid worker: Coordinate relief efforts for refugees or displaced persons with organizations like the UN or the International Rescue Committee.
• Peacebuilding specialist: Facilitate dialogue and reconciliation workshops between former adversaries in post-conflict zones.
• Political risk analyst: Advise businesses or governments on political instability in a region so they can make safer, more informed decisions.

What can you do with a cybersecurity degree?

While earning this college degree, you learn how to protect digital information and networks. Since every major organization — from the World Bank to global non-governmental organizations (NGOs) — relies on this data, it’s a critical, in-demand skill. You could become a global defender of data and infrastructure in a world where wars are fought online. Your skills could protect governments, international organizations, and essential global systems like banks and power grids from cyberattacks

• Security architect: Design the digital defense system for a multinational company to protect operations across all countries.
• Cybercrime analyst: Track down international hacking rings or state-sponsored cyber threats.
• Security consultant: Advise humanitarian organizations working in high-risk areas on how to keep their sensitive field data safe.

What can you do with a global studies degree?

It’s a global world, and a global studies degree is your passport to making a real impact. This major is great if you’re curious about how the world works and want a career that stretches beyond borders. 

This “super major” pulls from a variety of areas, like political science, economics, history, culture, and foreign languages. Instead of studying one country or topic in isolation, you learn about the interconnections on a global scale. This major touches on complex issues such as climate change, human rights, international trade, and migration from multiple viewpoints. 

• Foreign service officer or diplomat: This job is often seen as the ultimate global career. These professionals represent their country abroad, working in embassies or consulates to promote peace, protect citizens, and manage international relations
• Human rights officer: You monitor, investigate, and advocate against human rights abuses worldwide, and may work with organizations like Amnesty International or Human Rights Watch. 
• Intelligence analyst: Work for a government agency like the CIA, NSA, or State Department to assess global threats, political stability, and foreign policy intentions. 

What can you do with a history degree?

Historians are masters of complex research, analysis, and synthesis of huge amounts of information. This major teaches the understanding of how international relationships, conflicts, and global systems evolved — important knowledge for today’s policy-making jobs. You could provide the critical context needed to solve today’s global problems by understanding the mistakes and successes of the past.

• Foreign policy analyst: Research the history of a specific region or conflict to inform current diplomatic strategies for a government or NGO think tank.
• Archivist/curator: Preserve and interpret historical records and cultural artifacts for global institutions like the UN or UNESCO.
• Intelligence analyst/researcher: Use your knowledge of a country’s history, culture, and politics to provide intelligence assessments to government agencies.

What can you do with an arts degree?

While not always an obvious college major for someone determined to make a global impact, music, film, and art are powerful tools for diplomacy, activism, and cultural exchange. They allow people to connect and share experiences beyond language barriers. Use the skills you learn — and the power of creativity — to bridge cultural divides, drive social movements, and promote mutual understanding.

• Art therapist: Use art and music to help refugees or children in conflict zones process trauma and recover.
• Cultural affairs officer: Organize international cultural exchange programs, like film festivals or music tours, to improve diplomatic relations between countries.
• Documentary filmmaker/journalist: Use visual arts to bring moving, underreported global stories about human rights or social justice issues to a worldwide audience.

What can you do with a zoology degree?

The study of animals encompasses more than veterinary medicine. Since wildlife conservation, disease transmission (like zoonotic diseases), and protecting habitats are massive global issues, the research and fieldwork you complete as an undergraduate, graduate, and professional are vital to the world’s environmental health. This degree empowers you to become a champion for biodiversity, fighting to protect endangered species and fragile ecosystems across the planet.

• Conservation biologist: Conduct field research in a rainforest or marine environment to protect endangered species for groups like the World Wildlife Fund.
• Ecologist/environmental consultant: Advise governments or companies on how large-scale projects, like infrastructure, will affect local wildlife and biodiversity.
• Wildlife inspector/forensics specialist: Work at international borders to stop the illegal trade of protected animals and animal parts.

Your global impact starts now

As you navigate the college application process (or if you’re an undeclared student preparing to choose your major), remember that a major is just your launchpad.

The world’s problems, whether political, environmental, or technical, are interwoven. A solution won’t come from one major or one type of job. It’ll take history majors who understand past mistakes, cybersecurity experts who can protect vital data, and business professionals who can manage humanitarian supply chains.

No matter what path you choose, ask questions and never stop exploring. You’ll find a field you love and your place on the global stage.  

Still looking for more inspiration? Check out our Guide to Global Impact.