International Studies

What can I do with a Major in International Studies?

International Business

Job Types

  • 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

Job Types

  • 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

Job Types

  • 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

Job Types

  • 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.

Strategies for Placement in International Studies

  • 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

International Studies Resources

General Information

Education

Journalism

Humanitarian/Volunteering

International Trade/Economics

Government