Career Paths
International Business students can pursue careers in a number of fields. Some examples are:
- Management
- Labor Relations
- Human Resources
- Banking and Finance
- Economics
- International Development
- Real Estate
- Sales
- Marketing
- Product Management
- Healthcare Administration
Potential employers could include:
- 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' bureau
- International airlines
- Transportation, travel, and hospitality industry
In preparation, International Business students can:
- Develop competency in at least one additional language;
- Get to know international students on your campus;
- Spend a semester studying abroad;
- Seek an international internship, even if unpaid;
- Obtain volunteer, part-time, temporary, or summer positions abroad or with companies involved in international business;
- Learn about NAFTA, the WTO, the EU, and other international agreements and organizations;
- To pursue a career abroad, start to demonstrate your skills domestically, and develop a network of personal contacts with individuals in targeted international businesses;
- 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 intercultural communication skills, and develop and demonstrate intercultural competence;
- Keep abreast of political, economic, and social changes worldwide, in order to understand the international business environment;
- Increase cultural awareness and seek greater understanding of people from backgrounds different from yours; make a commitment to a continuing quest for understanding of human diversity;
- Research firms with international interests;
- Gain experience in communicating with people from other countries;
- Live and/or work abroad while in school;
- Develop an understanding of etiquette and business practices in a target country;
- Develop traits such as creativity, initiative, tenacity, a willingness to take risks an adventurous spirit, and a sense of humor.
Adapted from Career Services, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (2005)