International Business
A degree in International Business prepares you for the challenges of competing in the global marketplace. As companies expand into global markets, they must learn the needs and wants of their international customers, as well as have an understanding of cultural differences, trade regulations, and political systems.
Courses in International Business and International Marketing will help you to understand the impact of culture, and the legal, political and economic systems on global marketing strategy. You will use your business skills in a global context and prepare a country notebook for a new international marketing opportunity.
Although a language is not required for your degree, it will certainly make you more marketable to a prospective employee. Since some international business positions require knowledge of a foreign language, students have the choice of either studying two semesters of a foreign language or taking two business electives.
Course Sequence for International Business
International Business can involve:
- Staying in the U.S. and working for a U.S. company that does business abroad
- Working for a U.S. based company that sends you abroad for business travel
- Working for a company that sends you abroad to work as an expatriate, where you return to the U.S. only rarely
What type of work is involved in this field?
- Management - Overseas production, shipping, international human resources management
- Finance - International banking, currency trading, securities trading analysis of overseas production sites/international investment, company exchange risk management, international risk management, financial planning for multinationals
- Accounting - Financial management for multinational companies
- Marketing - Business-to-business selling, market analysis/research, international purchasing, cross-cultural negotiating, consulting
- Government - Foreign service officer, country analyst
What global business skills are required in this field?
- Cross-cultural perspective
- Cultural sensitivity
- Study laws and organizations that affect global business and trade
- “Working ability” in a second language generally required
- International strategy (marketing, management, etc.)
- Overall comprehension of U.S. business administration and international business administration
- Foreign exchange rates, inflation rates, tax requirements
Where will this career take me?
- Import/Export Agent
- Foreign Sales Representative
- International Management Consultant
- International Marketing
- Foreign Currency Investment Advisor
- Global Product Manager
- Foreign Account Executive
- Customer Service Rep.
Who will hire graduates?
- Foreign companies with U.S. operations
- U.S. corporations that have international operations
- Banks
- Import/export corporations
- Multinational manufacturers
- International organizations
- Electronics companies
- Airlines
- Transportation industries
- Hospitality (hotel/restaurant)
- Travel and tourism
- Extractive companies (oil, mining, etc.)
- Governmental organizations
Since a great number of American and foreign firms have international offices or international operations, the demand for professionals skilled in foreign languages and global dynamics is rising.