Careers in International Business
Posted on April 7th, 2014 by Jenny Frankel
There’s a pretty standard list of careers for business majors. You probably think of manager, accountant, personal finance specialist, etc. But what about students who are following a more international path? What are the available careers in international business? The answer is that many of the same sorts of business careers apply, just on a more global scale, but there are also unique careers in international business for which your regular business major may not be qualified. Here are some things to consider if you aim to pursue a degree or specialization in international business.
Global Settings for Traditional Business Careers
- International Corporations
Also known as multinational corporations, international corporations are becoming an integral part of the 21st century business world. Defined as a business that operates in more than one country, an international business faces the unique challenges and opportunities of processing and selling goods across traditional borders. Thus, the rise of international businesses has both created our modern globalization and is also subject to it. In this highly dynamic and complex situation, students who are trained in the ins and outs of international business, including taxes, legal issues, etc., are in high demand.
- Trade Groups
International trade groups are the foundation of international commerce and support many careers in international business. Though trade itself goes back to the beginning of humanity, the incorporation of defined trade groups appears relatively recently, starting with some of the early colonial trade groups like the British East India Company in the 17th century. Since those days the complexity of trade groups has expanded tremendously. As the use of lengthy camel caravans and the danger of swashbuckling pirates on the high seas have declined, the political and economic barriers of the modern world have taken their place. It is up to international business-savvy people to navigate the waters.
- Financial Services
Keeping the books takes on a whole new level of complexity when you add in varying international laws, taxes, market structures, safety guidelines, and ethical concerns. Thus there is a large demand from international banking institutions for students fluent in the 21st century form of international business.
Examples of Careers in International Business
The list of possible jobs available for students who specialize in international business is quite long. Here are just a few examples.
- International Law Clerk
For business students who may want to cross into legal fields, a specialization in international business is an excellent foot-in-the-door for a career in international law. Opportunities include jobs in trade law, corporate law, and finance law in a multinational context.
- Home Country Government Official
Many countries are in need of individuals to help with diplomatic responsibilities in international settings. These careers can be both exciting and dangerous. These officers must engage with the private and public sectors In their work, necessitating versatility in their business education.
- Global Supply Planner
Global supply planners practice business analysis on a global scale. In addition to the usual profit/expenditures considerations, global supply planners must also factor in global resources. They take a central role in organization, coordination, and project management across not only multiple departments, but also multiple countries. In the process, global supply managers must meet with all levels of multinational business operations, which often means a need for fluency in foreign languages and expertise in different business models.
If you’re preparing for an undergraduate degree in business, but want to expand your horizons beyond the standard careers, then you should keep in mind these and the many other opportunities in the study of international business.
Learn more about international business here.
