Global / International Studies

· In Languages, Cultures and Humanities, Majors, Social Science

Links and Print Version

Area
Employer
Information/Strategies

International Business

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

  • 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
  • Logistics firms

  • Minor or take courses in business.
  • Learn at least one additional language.
  • Spend a semester or year studying abroad.
  • Seek an international internship, even if unpaid.
  • Obtain related experience with organizations in the US.
  • Learn about NAFTA, WTO, and GATT policies.
  • Acquire supervisory skills and experience by taking leadership roles in student organizations.
  • Learn about geography and international travel regulations.
  • Sharpen your public speaking and intercultural communication skills.
  • Interact with the international student population on campus.
  • Keep abreast of political, economic, and social changes worldwide.
  • Develop an understanding of the international business environment.
  • Research firms with international interests. Target larger firms that may be more likely to employ contracting services.
  • Develop your skills domestically and build a network of contacts.
  • Understand that many companies send more seasoned employees to work abroad.

International Relations

  • Diplomacy
  • Peacekeeping
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Program Administration
  • Community Development
  • Economic Development
  • Resource Development
  • Public-Private Partnerships
  • Governance
  • Policy Making and Analysis
  • Legislative Services
  • Political Advising
  • Public Sector Reform
  • Poverty-Reduction Strategy
  • Ethics and Anti-Corruption
  • United Nations
  • Non-governmental organizations
  • Relief agencies
  • Religious organizations
  • Educational institutions
  • Consulting firms
  • Research institutes
  • Foundations
  • Defense contractors
  • Federal government including:
    • Department of State
    • Department of Agriculture
    • Department of Commerce
    • Department of Defense:
      • Armed Services
    • US Agency for International Development
    • National Security Council
  • Legislative officials
  • Learn a second or third language.
  • Study, volunteer, or work internationally. Seek as many experiences abroad as possible.
  • Complete an internship specifically with an NGO, the US government, or an international government.
  • Study world governments and religions.
  • 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.
  • Seek cultural experiences on campus and get involved with international students.
  • Learn about geography and international travel regulations.
  • Stay abreast of international news and politics.
  • Sharpen your intercultural communication skills.
  • Learn to see all sides of a problem, including economic, social, political, and environmental.
  • Earn a relevant graduate degree such as international diplomacy, international relations, or law.
  • Research government hiring procedures and seek assistance from your campus career center.

Social Services

  • Human Services Provision
  • Public Health
  • Disaster/Disease Relief
  • Economic Development
  • Community Development
  • HIV/AIDS Work
  • Policy Development
  • Program Administration
  • Program Evaluation
  • Volunteer Coordination
  • Non-governmental organizations
  • Private voluntary organizations
  • Humanitarian services
  • Religious organizations
  • Relief agencies
  • United Nations including:
    • World Health Organization
    • UNICEF
    • Economic and Social Council
  • Federal government including:
    • Peace Corps
    • US Agency for International Development
    • National Security Council
  • Study abroad while in school. Learn one or more foreign language(s).
  • Complete internships or fellowships to gain experience with issues.
  • Participate in an international service learning experience or go on mission trips.
  • Develop excellent research, writing, communication, and organizational skills.
  • Hundreds of NGO’s exist in the US. Research organizations’ structures, functions, and missions to find ones that fit.
  • Volunteer at relevant social service agencies to gain experience and demonstrate interest.
  • Work with or assist immigrants or refugees in the local community.
  • Gain experience with intercultural communication and an appreciation for diversity.
  • Learn about international humanitarian law.
  • Demonstrate strong analytical and management skills.
  • Research government hiring procedures and seek assistance from your campus career center.
  • Consider earning a graduate degree in social work, public administration, or related fields.

Language Services/Education

  • Teaching
  • Curriculum Development
  • Private Tutoring
  • Interpreting
  • Translating
  • Research
  • Writing
  • Higher Education Administration:
    • International Student Support Services
    • Study Abroad Programming
  • International schools
  • Overseas dependents’ schools
  • English language institutes
  • Non-governmental organizations
  • Religious organizations
  • Colleges and universities
  • Third-party study abroad providers
  • Self-employed
  • Federal government agencies

  • Gain practical domestic teaching experience and necessary training or certificate to teach abroad.
  • Minor or double major in another subject that you could also teach.
  • Research certification options for teaching English (TESOL, CELTA, CELTC, TEFL).
  • Obtain certificates from schools whose graduates are hired in the international marketplace.
  • Teacher training should include supervised classroom experience.
  • Consider obtaining intensive TESL (Teaching English as 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. Those who are successful at teaching abroad tend to be independent, flexible, and patient.
  • 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.
  • Get involved with student leadership experiences on campus.
  • Look for positions in developing nations or Asian countries. Teaching positions in Europe are very competitive.
  • Earn a master’s degree in College Student Affairs to work with study abroad programs or with international student services.

Communications

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

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

  • Supplement curriculum with communication courses, e.g. journalism and broadcasting.
  • 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 work samples, especially those that have been published, or demonstrate multimedia work on a website or electronic portfolio.
  • Gain experience with campus newspaper or media.
  • Travel and study abroad. Learn a second language.
  • Get involved in professional associations. Build a network of contacts.
  • Research international media firms.

International Public Law

  • Economic Law
  • Trade and Investment Law
  • Commercial Arbitration
  • Criminal Law
  • Refugee Law
  • Human Rights Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Humanitarian Law

  • Federal government including:
    • Department of Defense
    • Department of State
    • Department of Commerce
  • Law firms with an international practice
  • Overseas law firms
  • Corporations
  • Nongovernmental organizations, e.g. Amnesty International, Human Rights First
  • Consulting firms

  • Develop strong research skills and attention to detail.
  • Participate in debate or forensic team to hone communication skills.
  • Find part-time or summer work in a law firm.
  • Shadow an attorney to learn more about the field and various specialties.
  • Get involved in pre-law organizations.
  • Plan to attend law school and earn a law degree.
  • Maintain a high grade point average and secure strong faculty recommendations. Prepare for the LSAT (Law School Admission Test).
  • Research law schools to find those that offer courses in international public law and have a good reputation.
  • While in law school, gain international experience through internships or summer programs.
  • Jobs in this field are extremely competitive. Plan to gain several years experience before starting an international law career.

General Information and Strategies

  • Entry-level positions are generally in the U.S. with mid-level positions involving some international travel. Corporations typically hire employees with the most experience or skills set for overseas work.
  • 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 involved with the international student community on 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 or volunteer 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, an adventurous spirit, and a sense of humor.
  • Be very planful about building an international career. It takes time to develop a set of skills and experiences that will prepare you for an overseas job.