INTERNATIONAL STUDIES …

                                      INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
                                       What can I do with this degree?
                AREAS                                  EMPLOYERS                                           STRATEGIES
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
Management                              Domestic and foreign corporations                  Learn at least one additional language.
Human Resources                         Multinational service firms                        Spend a semester studying abroad.
Labor Relations                         Global small and medium enterprises                Seek an international internship, even if unpaid.
Banking and Finance                     Domestic and foreign financial institutions        Obtain volunteer, part-time, or summer experience at
Economics                               International marketing firms                         related organizations.
International Development               International real estate firms                    Make personal contacts within targeted businesses.
Real Estate                             International trade firms                          Learn about NAFTA, WTO, and GATT policies.
Sales                                   Contracting and consulting firms                   Develop your skills domestically and begin to develop
Marketing                               Convention and visitors' bureaus                      a network of contacts if you want to pursue a
Product Management                      International airlines                                career abroad.
Healthcare Administration               Transportation, travel, and hospitality industry   Acquire supervisory skills and experience by taking
Agricultural Economics                                                                        leadership roles in student organizations.
                                                                                           Learn about geography and international travel
                                                                                              regulations.
                                                                                           Sharpen your public speaking skills and communica-
                                                                                              tion skills between cultures.
                                                                                           Make a commitment to continuous growth in under-
                                                                                              standing 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                       United Nations                                     Participate in an overseas mission experience.
Diplomacy                               Relief organizations                               Plan to study abroad or participate in an international
Foreign Affairs                         Religious organizations                               work experience.
Public Service                          Non-profit organizations/corporations              Learn a second or third language.
Institutional/Community Development     Educational institutions                           Demonstrate your depth of dedication, willingness to
                                        Consulting firms                                      adapt, and coping mechanisms to combat stress
                                        Research institutes                                   and difficult situations.
                                        Foundations                                        Develop skills in the areas of organizing groups,
                                        National Security Council (NSC)                       efficiency, and the ability to calm people.
(International Studies, Page 2)


                   AREAS                             EMPLOYERS                                        STRATEGIES

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS CONTINUED
                                                                                      Develop excellent research, writing, communication,
                                                                                         and organizational skills.
                                                                                      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 communica-
                                                                                         tion skills between cultures.
                                                                                      Learn to see all sides of a problem, including
                                                                                         economic, social, political, and environmental.
                                                                                      Learn to work well on team.
                                                                                      Earn a relevant graduate degree such as international
                                                                                         diplomacy, international relations, or law.


NONPROFIT/GOVERNMENT
Human Services Provision            Private voluntary organizations                   Study abroad while in school. Learn one or more
Public Health                       Nonprofit organizations                              foreign language.
Disaster/Disease Relief             International organizations                       Develop excellent research, writing, communication,
Policy Development                  Humanitarian services                                and organizational skills.
Program Administration              Government agencies with an international focus   Develop networks.
Program Evaluation                  Relief organizations                              Complete internships in related areas.
Volunteer Coordination              Associations, societies, research institutes      Participate in an international service learning
                                    National Security Council                            experience or go on a mission trip.
                                    United Nations                                    Federal international jobs require careful observation
                                    Defense contractors                                  of a formal hiring procedure.
                                    U.S. Peace Corps                                  Research the international organization/agency's
                                    U.S. Foreign Service                                 structure and function.
                                    USAID                                             Volunteer at relevant social service agencies to gain
                                    Armed Services                                       experience and demonstrate interest.
                                                                                      Volunteer in health related settings such as the
                                                                                         American Red Cross.
                                                                                      Develop good working knowledge of international
                                                                                         humanitarian law.
                                                                                      Demonstrate strong analytical and management
                                                                                         skills.
                                                                                      Government work in the foreign service requires
                                                                                         passage of the Foreign Service Exam, after
                                                                                         obtaining a master's degree or significant work
                                                                                         experience.
(International Studies, Page 3)


                    AREAS                                EMPLOYERS                               STRATEGIES

LANGUAGE SERVICES/EDUCATION
Teaching                                 Public and private schools abroad       Gain practical domestic teaching experience and
Curriculum Development                   Community organizations                    necessary training or certificate to teach abroad.
Interpreting                             Federal government agencies                Research certification options (TESOL, CELTA,
Translating                              English language institutes                CELTC, TEFL)
Research and Writing                     Overseas dependents' schools            Obtain certificates from schools whose graduates are
International Student Support Services   Religious and volunteer organizations      hired in the international marketplace.
Study Abroad Programming                 Colleges and universities               Teaching training should include supervised class
                                                                                    room 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              Foreign news agencies                   Obtain a summer job or internship with a newspaper.
International Broadcasting               TV networks                             Demonstrate curiosity, high energy level, ability to
Reporting                                Large circulation newspapers               produce under pressure, and withstand criticism.
Editorial/Column writing                 Wire services                           Develop excellent grammar and writing skills.
Investigative Journalism                 Trade newspapers                        Create a portfolio of writing samples, especially those
Research                                 Online publishers                          that have been published.
Photography                              Labor unions                            Join a professional journalism organization.
Freelance Work                           Academic journals                       Research international newspapers.
                                         International newspapers                Gain experience with campus newspaper or media.
                                         Magazines                               Travel or study abroad.
                                         Museums
                                         Self employed
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