International Studies
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
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.
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)
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
