Career Opportunities in International Business

As the world becomes a global marketplace, all types of businesses are seeking to expand their operations across national borders and into the world marketplace. Multinational corporations, joint ventures, financial institutions, law firms, consulting firms and manufacturers of both goods and services cater to an international clientele.

Most internationally oriented jobs in the business world involve marketing, sales, finance, operations and strategic planning and are found in the United States, although some positions might involve working abroad. Typically, businesses with overseas operations will hire foreign nationals rather than expatriate Americans.

Likewise, few corporations have "international departments." Instead, their international work is shared among various departments such as marketing, sales, legal, or finance. International positions are available within subsidiaries of foreign companies operating in the United States. International professionals also play an important intermediary role between Federal agencies in matters of trade regulation.

Career Paths and Entry Salaries

Entry-level jobs in the field of international business are as varied as the field itself. Most positions in marketing, finance, and consulting work begin with in-house training programs of a managerial, development and/or technical nature. Companies with international markets usually prefer that employees become fully trained in the domestic operations of the business before being given an opportunity to represent the firm abroad. Salaries often start in the mid-$30,000 range, with entry-level compensation increasing proportionally to the size of the firm, geographic location, and employee qualifications. Salary rates rise rapidly in business as training and experience accrue.

Having completed specialized training programs and/or on-the-job training, individuals hired by firms functioning internationally are often assigned to the U.S. headquarters of the company, working within the marketing, sales, planning, or accounting/finance department. Foreign travel for negotiation or consultation is possible. Those working for multinational corporations, joint ventures, financial institutions, or consulting firms will generally be given the opportunity for foreign assignments such as managing a foreign subsidiary or directing the firm's overseas operations after years of domestic service.

Qualifications Necessary to Enter the Field

Breaking into international business requires experience within particular industries - more than the knowledge of a foreign language, area studies, or international experience. Well-established firms normally hire local staff, so the best opportunities in international business tend to be with small companies just starting to enter the international business arena or expanding to new locations. Small companies look for candidates with management and marketing skills. International business-related courses are recommended, as well as accounting, business finance, money and financial markets, statistics, micro- and macroeconomics and marketing. A framework of public policy, international trade, language and cultural fluency combined with business skills is an invaluable combination for those looking to work in international business.

While firms are still willing to train qualified candidates who have no specific experience in their business, they are more interested in people who can be productive from their first day on the job, as training programs are being curtailed because they are expensive both in terms of cost and time. If you can show experience in the company's business or sector, you will be in a stronger position.

If you develop a relationship with people who make the hiring decisions in these companies, it will facilitate your chance of getting your foot in the door. Suggestions from "The Complete Guide to International Jobs and Careers” include attending a semester abroad program in Europe, Asia or Latin America which involves studying and interacting with the local international business community.

In addition, it is beneficial to acquire an internship with an international business that puts you at the heart of the international business community where you develop numerous contacts with individuals in many different businesses. Several companies, such as Chase Manhattan Bank, Salomon Brothers, IBM, Monsanto, United Technologies, General Electric, and Allied-Signal, have established internship programs. It is also possible to create your own "ad hoc" internship by contacting companies directly and selling them on the idea of letting you work for them as an unpaid or low-paid intern.

Anyone going into international business must have more than a passing understanding of new communications technologies. The convergence of Internet-based and telephone technologies, notably wireless, has deep implications for all businesses. Issues such as confidentiality and privacy, cross-border intellectual property rights, and a host of efficiency improvements are at the top of many CEO's lists.

Where students with international relations’ degrees will shine is in their ability to understand and, therefore, work across cultures. This is even more valuable to firms that have to do more and more business in new supra-national frameworks like the EU or WTO. Stress these elements in your background, and think of taking internships in areas which will increase your exposure to and awareness of other cultures, even if they are not directly related to the sector you eventually wish to work in.

Sample Group of Employers

·         American Express, www.americanexpress.com
 ·         American International Group, www.aig.com
 ·         Cargill, www.cargill.com
 ·         Chubb & Sons, www.chubb.com
 ·         CIGNA Corporation, www.cigna.com
 ·         Diageo, www.diageo.com
 ·         Dole Fruit Company, www.dole.com
 ·         Eli Lilly International Corporation, www.lilly.com
 ·         The Gillette Company, www.gillette.com
 ·         Hitachi, Ltd., www.hitachi.com
 ·         Honeywell, Inc., www.honeywell.com
 ·         Johnson & Johnson, www.jnj.com
 ·         Mattel, Inc., www.mattel.com
 ·         Otis Elevator Company, www.otis.com
 ·         Pepsi-Cola International, www.pepsico.com
 ·         Philip Morris Companies Inc., www.philipmorrisusa.com/home.asp.com
 ·         Procter & Gamble, www.pg.com
 ·         Reebok International, www.reebok.com
 ·         Thomas & Betts, www.tnb.com
 ·         Unisys Corporation, www.unisys.com
 ·         US Chamber of Commerce, www.uschamber.com

Demand and Future Challenges of Profession

Due to the "communication revolution," the increased interdependency of national economies, the expansion of developing nations as well as the contraction of the Cold War and the internationalization of formerly domestic issues such as population and pollution, the world has become a global marketplace where the transfer of goods and services is not hampered by national borders. These factors have created a demand for employees in business, trade, government and development with technical skills, foreign language facility, cultural sensitivity, experience, and/or education and training. Although more opportunities have become available, internationally oriented jobs are usually reserved for those with specialized abilities and experience.

That said, however, the world economic slowdown starting in 2000, along with corporate scandals, suspect accounting practices, the collapse of organizations such as Enron and Arthur Andersen and international terrorism have led to dramatic cutbacks in financial services, consulting, energy, telecommunications, airlines and tourism. Consequently, new graduates, whether with MBAs or graduate degrees in International Relations, are competing not only with each other, but also with those who have lost their jobs, most of whom have significantly more experience.  This makes it more difficult for people who are changing careers and wish to enter the field with no prior experience.

Resources For More Information

Associations/Websites

Directories

  • International Business Directory, www.internationalbusinessdirectory.com/
  • The Directory of American Firms Operating in Foreign Countries, 17th edition, World Trade Academy, 17th edition (January 2003)
  • Directory of Foreign Firms Operating in the United States, 9th edition, Uniworld Business Publications (January 1998), or contact the US and International Chambers of Commerce
  • The Directory of Business Information Resources, Grey House Publishing, (2003

Publications

·         Careers in International Business, Edward Joseph Halloran, McGraw-Hill (2003) - in career library

·         The Complete Guide to International Jobs and Careers, 2nd edition, Ronald L. Krannich, Impact Publications, Manassas, VA (1992)

·         Discovering Your Career in Business, Timothy Butler and James Waldroop, Addison-Wesley Publishing Inc. (1997)

·         The Harvard Business School Guide to Careers in Management Consulting, HBS Publishing (2001)

·         Management Consulting: A Complete Guide to the Industry, 2nd edition, Sugata Biswas and Daryl Twitchell, John Wiley & Sons Inc. (2002)

·         Plunkett’s Energy Industry Almanac, Jack W. Plunkett, Plunkett Research, Ltd. (2002)

·         Directory of Executive Recruiters, Kennedy Publications, 2002

·         Directory of Foreign Firms Operating in the United States, Uniworld Business Publishers; 9th edition, 1998. Or contact the US and International Chambers of Commerce.

·         Discovering Your Career in Business, Timothy Butler and James Waldroop, Addison-Wesley Publishing Inc., 1997.

·         International Business & Trade Directories, Grey House Publishing, 2003

·         Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: How to Do Business in Sixty Countries, T. Morrison, W. Conaway & G. Borden, 1994

·         Management Consulting: A Complete Guide to the Industry, Sugata Biswas and Daryl Twitchell, John Wiley & Sons Inc., Second Edition, 2002.

·         Plunkett’s Energy Industry Almanac, Jack W. Plunkett, Plunkett Research, Ltd., 2002-2003.

·         The Directory of American Firms Operating in Foreign Countries, World Trade Academy, 17th edition, 2003.

·         The Directory of Business Information Resources, Grey House Publishing, 2003/2004 Edition.

·         The Harvard Business School Guide to Careers in Management Consulting, HBS Publishing, 2001.

·         Vault Career Guide to Venture Capital, O. Kaganovich & J. Currier, 2005  

Field Specific Information

As the world becomes more of a global village and trade barriers are eased, there will be an increased need for personnel who can service an international clientele in terms of understanding international business and marketing, international law, and international trade and finance. As goods cross national borders with greater ease, negotiation and government regulation will increase the need for personnel with specialized expertise in international business ventures, financing techniques, and language skills. Although opportunities will multiply, competition will be high as Americans vie for international positions around the world with foreign nationals.

Edited for the use of Maxwell graduate students and alumni by the staff of the Office of Career and Alumni Services. Written by Career Directors from the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs

This page current as of: April 24, 2008