Careers in International Business

The world has become a Global marketplace. As a result, many local businesses are looking to expand across borders, creating a need for graduates who are well versed in International Business. With a career in International Business, you too can work for a Global company or can travel or live abroad and enjoy all the responsibilities of a business person in your field.

Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. degrees are available in International Business. A bachelor’s degree may be enough to get in the door with a company, but to land highly executive careers, a graduate degree is required.

As business becomes increasingly global, there are a growing number of career options in International Business, which usually involve sales, finance, strategic planning, operations and marketing. Some of the highly sought after career options include:

·   International Economist

An individual interested in finance and global business might consider a career as an international economist. These International Business experts study exchange rates and currencies, the properties of trade policies and global financial markets. They are responsible for assessing a country’s economic risks during expansion or business deals. Most careers in international economics need master’s degree at minimum. Potential employers for international economists include government agencies, international organizations and businesses with international branches.

·     Management Analyst

A management analyst examines key aspects of an organization and develops methods to structure operations and reduce costs, helping businesses to run more efficiently. Government agencies and private industries rely on them to help improve the efficiency of overseas businesses, makingthis position highly relevant to International Business. A bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement however many management analyst careers, especially in the private sector, require a master’s degree in business administration. Management analysts work for government as well as private industries, including technical, management and scientific consulting firms.

• International Banking

For an International Business degree holder who has an interest in banking, you could work at a local bank with foreign accounts or at a foreign-owned bank that does business in your country. The graduates can land successful careers such as treasurers, comptrollers, and chief financial officers (CFOs) of globally reaching manufacturing and trading corporations and as investment bankers in financial services including international banking, investment and insurance.

·  Top Executives

Top executives can have different job titles, including president, chief operating officer, general manager, vice president, chief executive officer and chief information officer. Top executives create effective business policies to help their company succeed. The International Business aspect of this career comes by the required travel astop executives have to regularly visit international offices to monitor their operations. They also regularly arrange and join meetings with international firms to form a mutually beneficial relationship.A bachelor’s degree may be enough to start with, but since this job is highly coveted, it requires a graduate degree.

• International Accountant

Financial accounting, financial analysis, auditing, tax accounting, cost accounting, managerial accounting or any other aspect of accounting during the next few decades will be virtually impossible to perform without being profoundly influenced by the International Business environment. So if you found accounting interesting during your business classes, you can pursue a career as an international accountant. This career usually involves obtaining an MBA in accounting in addition to your bachelors of International Business. The company will need your expertise in knowing the various tax laws and currency exchanges as well as how to read and create financial statements for other countries’ laws and specifications.

• Import/Export compliance specialist (or customs compliance)

This job is found in both the federal government and private sector. A compliance specialist maintains the compliance of imports and exports within regulatory law, both domestic and international. Other responsibilities of the import-export expert have to do with consignment of the goods. They track the location of the consignment; prepare goods for consignment, using the greatest, most cost-effective packaging. Most experts in the field have at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant area of business and experience.Students who earn a degree in the field can pursue careers in international marketing, export or import trading or other international trade services.

As the world becomes more of a global village, there will be an increased need for experts who can service an international clientele in terms of understanding International Business and marketing, international law, trade and finance. Although opportunities will increase, competition will be high and that is what makes this profession highly desirable.