What can I do with this degree?
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.

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.

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.

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