International Business Careers

International Business

• Domestic and foreign corporations
• Multinational service firms
• Global small and medium enterprises
• Domestic and foreign financial institutions
• International marketing firms
• International real estate firms
• International trade firms
• Contracting and consulting firms
• Convention and visitors’ bureaus
• International airlines
• Transportation, travel, and hospitality industry

• Learn at least one additional language.
• Spend a semester studying abroad.
• Seek an international internship, even if unpaid.
• Obtain volunteer, part-time, or summer experience at related organizations.
• Make personal contacts within targeted businesses.
• Learn about NAFTA, WTO, and GATT policies.
• Develop your skills domestically and begin to develop a network of contacts if you want to pursue a career abroad.
• Acquire supervisory skills and experience by taking leadership roles in student organizations.
• Learn about geography and international travel regulations.
• Sharpen your public speaking skills and communication skills between cultures.
• Make a commitment to continuous growth in understanding different cultures.
• Keep abreast of political, economic, and social changes worldwide.
• Increase cultural awareness and sensitivity for foreign markets and people.
• Develop an understanding of the international business environment.
• Research firms with international interests.

International Relations/Government

• United Nations
• Relief organizations
• Religious organizations
• Non-profit organizations/corporations
• Educational institutions
• Consulting firms
• Research institutes
• Foundations
• National Security Council (NSC)

• Participate in an overseas mission experience.
• Plan to study abroad or participate in an international work experience.
• Learn a second or third language.
• Demonstrate your depth of dedication, willingness to adapt, and coping mechanisms to combat stress and difficult situations.
• Develop skills in the areas of organizing groups, efficiency, and the ability to calm people.
• Develop excellent research, writing, communication, and organizational skills.
• Acquire supervisory skills and experience by taking leadership roles in student organizations.
• Learn about geography and international travel regulations.
• Sharpen your public speaking skills and communication skills between cultures.
• Learn to see all sides of a problem, including economic, social, political, and environmental.
• Learn to work well on team.
• Earn a relevant graduate degree such as international diplomacy, international relations, or law.

Nonprofit/Government

• Private voluntary organizations
• Nonprofit organizations
• International organizations
• Humanitarian services
• Government agencies with an international focus
• Relief organizations
• Associations, societies, research institutes
• National Security Council
• United Nations
• Defense contractors
• U.S. Peace Corps
• U.S. Foreign Service
• USAID
• Armed Services

• Study abroad while in school. Learn one or more foreign language.
• Develop excellent research, writing, communication, and organizational skills.
• Develop networks.
• Complete internships in related areas.
• Participate in an international service learning experience or go on a mission trip.
• Federal international jobs require careful observation of a formal hiring procedure.
• Research the international organization/agency’s structure and function.
• Volunteer at relevant social service agencies to gain experience and demonstrate interest.
• Volunteer in health related settings such as the American Red Cross.
• Develop good working knowledge of international humanitarian law.
• Demonstrate strong analytical and management skills.
• Government work in the foreign service requires passage of the Foreign Service Exam, after obtaining a master’s degree or significant work experience.

Language Services/Education

• Public and private schools abroad
• Community organizations
• Federal government agencies
• English language institutes
• Overseas dependents’ schools
• Religious and volunteer organizations
• Colleges and universities

• Gain practical domestic teaching experience and necessary training or certificate to teach abroad. Research certification options (TESOL, CELTA, CELTC, TEFL)
• Obtain certificates from schools whose graduates are hired in the international marketplace.
• Teaching training should include supervised class room experience.
• Consider obtaining intensive TELS (Teaching English and a Second Language) training.
• Volunteer to tutor children and adults in English.
• Learn other languages to help understand how languages work.
• Sharpen intercultural competency, sensitivity, and tolerance.
• Develop superior written and oral communication skills in the English language including proper sentence structure and comprehensive vocabulary.
• Notify local hospitals, schools, and chambers of commerce of your availability to translate or interpret for international visitors.
• Minor or double major in another subject that you could also teach.
• Earn a master’s degree in College Student Affairs to work with study abroad programs or with international student services.

Journalism

• Foreign news agencies
• TV networks
• Large circulation newspapers
• Wire services
• Trade newspapers
• Online publishers
• Labor unions
• Academic journals
• International newspapers
• Magazines
• Museums
• Self employed

• Obtain a summer job or internship with a newspaper.
• Demonstrate curiosity, high energy level, ability to produce under pressure, and withstand criticism.
• Develop excellent grammar and writing skills.
• Create a portfolio of writing samples, especially those that have been published.
• Join a professional journalism organization.
• Research international newspapers.
• Gain experience with campus newspaper or media.
• Travel or study abroad.