Area
Employer
Information/Strategies
Area:
International Business
Sub-Area:
- 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 & Information:
- 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.
Area:
International Relations/Government
Sub-Area:
- 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 & Information:
- 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.
- Develop excellent research, writing, communication, and organizational skills.
- 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.
- Learn to see all sides of a problem, including economic, social, political, and environmental.
- Learn to work well on team.
- Earn a relevant graduate degree such as international diplomacy, international relations, or law.
Area:
Nonprofit/Government
Sub-Area:
- Human Services Provision
- Public Health
- Disaster/Disease Relief
- Policy Development
- Program Administration
- Program Evaluation
- Volunteer Coordination
Employers:
- Private voluntary organizations
- Nonprofit organizations
- International organizations
- Humanitarian services
- Government agencies with an international focus
- Relief organizations
- Associations, societies, research institutes
- National Security Council
- United Nations
- Defense contractors
- U.S. Peace Corps
- U.S. Foreign Service
- USAID
- Armed Services
Strategies & Information:
- Study abroad while in school. Learn one or more foreign language.
- Develop excellent research, writing, communication, and organizational skills.
- Develop networks.
- Complete internships in related areas.
- Participate in an international service learning experience or go on a mission trip.
- Federal international jobs require careful observation of a formal hiring procedure.
- Research the international organization/agency’s structure and function.
- Volunteer at relevant social service agencies to gain experience and demonstrate interest.
- Volunteer in health related settings such as the American Red Cross.
- Develop good working knowledge of international humanitarian law.
- Demonstrate strong analytical and management skills.
- Government work in the foreign service requires passage of the Foreign Service Exam, after obtaining a master’s degree or significant work experience.
Area:
Language Services/Education
Sub-Area:
- 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 & Information:
- 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 class room 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.
Area:
Journalism
Sub-Area:
- 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 & Information:
- 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 and Strategies
- 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.