General Information:

  • Entry-level positions are generally in the U.S., with mid-level positions involving some international travel. Corporations hire employees with the most experience or skills set for overseas work.
  • Target larger firms that may be more likely to employ contracting services.
  • Develop linguistic skills. Learn a second and third language.
  • Demonstrate intercultural competency, sensitivity and tolerance.
  • Gain experience in communications with people from other countries. Get to know international students on your campus.
  • Live and/or work abroad while in school.
  • Commit to a continuous study of host country’s language.
  • Develop a good understanding of etiquette and business practices in country of target.
  • Look for temporary positions abroad.
  • Obtain daily papers in target city to determine international and national news, business features, real estate markets and community calendars.
  • Work domestically with an international firm as a contract representative.
  • Develop traits such as creativity, initiative, tenacity, a willingness to take risks and an adventurous spirit and a sense of humor.

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer.

Explore Possible Careers Pathways in International Studies:

 

International Business: Areas & Employers

Areas – International Business

  • Management
  • Human Resources
  • Labor Relations
  • Banking and Finance
  • Economics
  • International Development
  • Real Estate
  • Sales
  • Marketing
  • Product Management
  • Healthcare Administration
  • Agricultural Economics

Employers

  • 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

International Business: Strategies

Strategies

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 cultural diversity. 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: Areas & Employers

Areas – International Relations/Government

  • International Law
  • Diplomacy
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Public Service
  • Institutional/Community Development

Employers

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

International Relations / Government: Strategies

Strategies

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.

Language Services / Education: Areas & Employers

Areas – Language Services/Education

  • Teaching
  • Curriculum Development
  • Interpreting
  • Translating
  • Research and Writing
  • International Student Support Services
  • Study Abroad Programming

Employers

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

Language Services / Education: Strategies

Strategies

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 classroom 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: Areas & Employers

Areas – Journalism

  • Foreign News Correspondence
  • International Broadcasting
  • Reporting
  • Editorial/Column writing
  • Investigative Journalism
  • Research
  • Photography
  • Freelance Work

Employers

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

Journalism: Strategies

Strategies

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.