As businesses expand, it’s more important than ever to enter the field with a global mindset. And there are more jobs for international business majors than ever before! International commerce has grown exponentially in the wake of the internet era. More recently, a global pandemic has highlighted the complexity and fragility of global trade. From manufacturing to supply chains to shipping to advertising…with increased opportunity comes an increase in challenge:
How do we manage increasingly diverse and widespread teams of employees?
How do we productively tackle cultural and linguistic barriers?
The proverbial soil is rich for those with the answers to these questions. Now, and for the foreseeable future, there is no shortage of jobs for international business majors.
Article Navigation: What Is International Business? | International Business Education – An Overview | Entry-Level Careers | How to Make the Most of your International Business Degree | Continuing Education | Who Hires an International Business Major? | Professional Organizations & Resources | FAQs | Next Steps
What Is International Business?
A definition may be in order. Luckily, it’s pretty simple: international business is any commerce that crosses the border between two or more countries. International business includes private and public sector commerce with various roles, skill sets, and backgrounds. With the explosion of international trade, studying international business and its challenges is more essential than ever. In many ways, all business — from Amazon-style e-commerce to ordering a coffee — is now international business.
That said, anyone exploring business education or related fields should consider an international business major. This type of business education provides business fundamentals and equips you with an in-demand skillset integral to most businesses today.
International Business Education – An Overview
An international business bachelor’s program will entail some coursework similar to any other business degree. Most coursework in many programs will consist of practical, clearly defined subject matter, such as applied math (like calculus or statistics) and areas of particular interest to business majors (such as economics or market analysis). Coursework focused on the relational aspects of the business — like government relations and communications — will also make up a significant portion of your coursework.
Apart from coursework common to all business majors, international business majors enjoy coursework related to their global aspirations. Many programs require international business students to take several foreign language credits. Additionally, most will require specialized coursework that addresses the unique challenges of navigating foreign markets, different cultures, and global logistics.
GetEducated's Picks
- Southern New Hampshire University Bachelor of Science in Business Administration / International Business
- American Public University System Bachelor of Business Administration / International Business Management
- American Public University System Bachelor of Arts in Government Contracting & Acquisition
Acquired Skills
An international business program will help you build a foundation in business fundamentals and give you specialized tools and knowledge to help you thrive in a global field. Some of these skills include cross-cultural communication, etiquette, and navigating international legal challenges.
Continued Education
After a bachelor’s degree, students can pursue master’s and doctorate degrees in international business or closely related programs. Examples of related degrees include business administration, marketing, finance, human resources, etc. Graduate degrees are essential considerations for professional development, which we will discuss in greater detail below.
GetEducated's Picks
- University of Scranton Master of Business Administration / International Business
- Campbellsville University Master of Business Administration / International Business
- University of West Alabama Master of Business Administration / International Business
Entry-Level International Business Jobs
The first question you may ask is, what can I do with an international business degree? If you have completed a bachelor’s program, consider the many entry-level international business jobs available today!
With an international business degree, you will be eligible for many of the same jobs secured by a standard business degree. The difference? As a graduate of an international business program, you will be uniquely qualified for job openings that require you to cross borders, whether remotely or physically. For instance, a business degree can qualify you for an entry-level human resources position. Meanwhile, an international business degree will make you a more attractive candidate for global companies trying to address the unique challenges of cross-cultural management.
With that in mind, below are some potential jobs for international business majors your education would prepare you for. We will start with typical positions for people just entering the field and follow up with jobs that may become available as your career grows and your skillset broadens.
Jobs Directly Related to an International Business Degree
1. Financial Analyst
Annual Salary: $95,570
Projected Growth: 9%
Education/Experience Needed: Prospective financial analysts usually need a bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions.
A financial analyst’s primary responsibility is to evaluate data and recommend investments for businesses and individuals.
2. Human Resources Specialist
Annual Salary: $62,290
Projected Growth: 8%
Education/Experience Needed: Human resources specialist positions usually require a bachelor’s degree.
Human resources specialists are responsible for identifying, interviewing, and onboarding new hires and handling employee relations, education, and benefits. In a global context, this position entails all of these things on a much bigger scale, with the additional challenge of navigating language and culture barriers.
3. Accountant/Auditor
Annual Salary: $77,250
Projected Growth: 6%
Education/Experience Needed: Prospective accountants and auditors usually need a bachelor’s degree to obtain an entry-level position.
An accountant or auditor analyzes, organizes, and reports on financial data and records.
4. Logistician
Annual Salary: $77,030
Projected Growth: 28%
Education/Experience Needed: Prospective logisticians typically need a bachelor’s degree to land an entry-level position, although some jobs require only an associate’s degree.
Logisticians help businesses and organizations manage and improve supply chains. International business majors will be incredibly well-equipped for this global communication and coordination position.
5. Language Specialist
Annual Salary: $49,110
Projected Growth: 20%
Education/Experience Needed: Prospective language specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the field. Proficiency in at least two languages is necessary as well.
Language specialists communicate important information across language barriers in verbal and written form. International business majors are specially qualified to do this in global business settings, where specialized knowledge of relevant business concepts and jargon is essential.
Jobs Where Your Degree Would Be Helpful Include:
1. Financial Manager
Annual Salary: $131,710
Projected Growth: 17%
Education/Experience Needed: To enter this position, prospective financial managers usually require a bachelor’s degree and more than five years of experience in a related field, such as accounting or financial analysis.
A financial manager oversees investment activities and the long-term vision of their business or organization.
2. Management Analyst
Annual Salary: $93,000
Projected Growth: 11%
Education/Experience Needed: Prospective management analysts usually need a bachelor’s degree and years of experience in a related field.
A management analyst’s primary responsibility is identifying and recommending strategies to help businesses and organizations run more efficiently.
3. Executive
Annual Salary: $98,980
Projected Growth: 6%
Education/Experience Needed: Prospective executives need at least a bachelor’s degree (though an advanced degree certainly doesn’t hurt) and several years of experience to obtain this position.
Executives work on a large scale to help define a business or organization’s goals and chart a course to get there. An international business degree will help qualify you to manage global companies at a high level down the road.
4. Marketing Manager
Annual Salary: $133,380
Projected Growth: 10%
Education/Experience Needed: Prospective marketing managers need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience. Internships and experience in other marketing or advertising positions are also beneficial.
Marketing managers create strategies to get the word out about their company or organization’s products or services. Marketing managers with a background in international business are uniquely equipped to take on global marketing challenges, creating advertising or marketing plans sensitive to different cultures.
5. PR Specialist
Annual Salary: $62,800
Projected Growth: 8%
Education/Experience Needed: Prospective PR specialists usually need a bachelor’s degree to enter the field.
Typical Duties and Responsibilities: PR specialists are responsible for building and maintaining the health of their business or organization’s public image. A background in international business, along with appropriate work experience or higher education, would qualify you to manage public relations on a global scale — challenging and rewarding work in its own right.
How to Make the Most of your International Business Degree
Intern
Interning is an excellent way for students and recent graduates to acquire work experience and bolster their resumes. Studies have shown that 70% of interns receive job offers from their companies after their internship. Many programs have specific resources dedicated to helping students prepare and apply for internships.
Build a Portfolio
A resume and a cover letter are generally accepted necessities when applying for any job. Still, it’s never too early in your career to start working on a professional portfolio. A portfolio is a collection of documents highlighting your professional accomplishments. It can give you an advantage over the competition in the application process.
Consider creating an online portfolio. Many popular web services, such as Squarespace or WordPress, provide easy-to-use templates. Include tangible examples of your accomplishments, such as reports or surveys, media coverage, and samples of spreadsheets or presentations you’ve created. Include any certificates or training you’ve completed, and consider seeking letters of recommendation or testimonials to add.
Network
Networking is crucial for any business student or professional. While it can come across as jargon, “networking” is just about building relationships with other professionals on the same foundations as any other relationship: common interests and goals. In the internet age, social media can be essential for connecting with others in the business world, especially across international borders. Trade shows, expos, and conferences provide myriad opportunities to connect in person. International business students will encounter the additional challenge of bridging language and culture barriers. As an international business major, it is vital to invest the time to learn about cultures you’ll encounter to give yourself the best chance of forming a global professional community.
Informational Interview
An informational interview is an excellent way to glean insights into the field of international business that you won’t find anywhere else. In short, an informational interview is a casual conversation with someone who works in the profession. The objective is to secure insight and knowledge rather than a job. Try getting in touch with some of your contacts — perhaps someone you connected with while interning or networking. Ask if they’d be willing to have a brief, 20-30 minute conversation with you and field some questions.
Search Job Listings
Searching for job listings is an easy way to get more out of your business degree. If you’re curious about what employers are looking for in candidates, why not go straight to the source? There are dozens of websites designed for this express purpose, and even skimming the headlines can be revealing. When looking at job listings, pay attention not only to “needs” but “wants,” as this is where employers list more niche or specialized qualifiers that can mean the difference between landing a job and coming in second place.
Continuing Education
To stay up-to-date on best practices and global trends and bolster your resume, it may be a good idea to pursue continuing education as an international business professional. Two primary ways to do this are certifications and training; and advanced degrees, such as a master’s or doctorate.
Certifications
There are abundant opportunities in the business world to participate in various training sessions and certifications — sometimes even sponsored by employers. Certifications are more agile than advanced degrees, often requiring more modest time and financial commitments and potentially offering more up-to-date information. Certificates can look excellent on resumes and equip you with specialized skills, opening the door to more technical and often better-paying job opportunities.
Not all certifications are created equal, however. Keep the following factors in mind when looking for potential certifications:
Cost:
This may seem obvious, but the cost isn’t always as clear-cut as it seems. When researching certifications, note available scholarships, whether another organization offers the certification at a lower price, and whether your company will partially or fully compensate for the cost. Certifications can be worth their weight in gold, but don’t pay more than you have to!
Demand:
When researching certifications, pay attention to which certifications appear to be in need. Job listings are a precious resource. Pay attention to which certifications companies list in their job descriptions’ required or preferred qualifications. This is also a great topic to discuss in an informational interview, especially if you know someone who has a hand in the hiring process.
Specificity:
Certifications are an opportunity to bolster specific skills, so don’t waste your time on certifications that don’t directly address an area where you’re hoping to grow. As an international business major, look for certificates that offer education on language skills, cross-cultural communication, diversity training, and other globally-applicable knowledge.
Locality:
This is especially crucial for an international business major. Just because certification is valuable in your country of origin doesn’t mean that value will translate across international borders. Certifications are subject to cultural values and norms, so keep an eye out for certifications that carry weight on the international stage or are specifically valuable in the area where you plan to work.
Advanced Degrees
As diverse and dynamic as certifications can be, they can only get you so far. According to research from the BLS, the highest-paying jobs for business majors had a more significant percentage of occupants with advanced degrees compared to average- to low-paying jobs. At a certain point, your career and salary ambitions will probably benefit most from an advanced degree in international business. Returning to school later for your master’s or even a doctorate may be a better option than going for your master’s initially. With this path, your experience in the field will help define and direct your higher education.
Who Hires an International Business Major?
A better question may be, who doesn’t? As we’ve seen, there are a plethora of jobs for international business majors. As more businesses take advantage of lower manufacturing costs, new consumers, and fresh inspiration found overseas, some form of literacy in international affairs is necessary.
When looking for jobs, use the tips above: utilize the connections you form through internships and networking, ask questions, and pay attention to what employers want. Pay special attention to younger, more agile companies ready to embrace international commerce and older businesses looking to update and expand their prospects. With an international business degree, the world is your oyster.
Professional Organizations & Resources
Below, you’ll find links to a handful of professional organizations that provide ample resources for things like internships, events, and more. Consider investigating some of these as you plan your career in international business.
FAQs
What jobs do you get from international business?
Jobs for international business majors are plentiful and diverse. This degree is desirable to employers looking to fill positions that require travel, managing across national and cultural borders, and specialized language or communication skills. These jobs can include anything from accountant to translator to marketing specialist and beyond.
What is the best job in international business?
This question could have different answers, depending on the metric you prefer. Still, regarding salary information, financial analyst, accountant, and logistician are among the highest-paying entry-level jobs for international business majors.
Is an international business major good?
Short answer? Yes! While it’s critical to weigh your goals when considering any degree, international business will prepare you for the globalized business world in a way few other degrees can.
Does international business pay well?
Again, it depends on the metric you use. Still, an international business professional could reasonably achieve a six-figure position with an international business degree and a few years of experience.
Next Steps
By now, we’ve seen just how versatile a degree in international business can be. If for no other reason, international trade is worth considering because of the sheer number of opportunities it connects you to. Even without an emphasis or area of focus, this degree already connects professionals to businesses and communities worldwide.
As you envision your education and career, imagine the travel, global thinking, and rewarding work this degree may call you to. Jobs for International business majors are so varied, interesting, exciting, and challenging. Research your options for earning an online degree in international business with the resources available at GetEducated.com.