Diving into International Business Careers

Diving into International Business Careers

Currently, we live in the Age of Digitalization. Communication across nations is at an all time high due to technology. Due to our new way of digital life, many individuals turn to international business careers. The promising salaries of international business attracts many, as seen by “The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021) [which projects] an 8% growth in business and financial occupations between the years 2020 and 2030”  (Source 3). Moreover, international business provides avenues for individuals to travel abroad. 

International business careers have a strong appeal for many reasons:

  1. Increased customer base
  2. Revenue increase
  3. Extended product lifespan
  4. Benefits due to currency exchange fluctuations
  5. Increase in employee talent pool 

On top of this, these careers offer high pay and high mobility. Out of the various job positions offered, the “average annual salary [ranges] from $80,000 to $125,000” (Source 2). 

The most lucrative international business careers are as follows:

  1. Global Marketing Manager
  1. Responsible for the promotion of a company's product or service on a global scale. 
  2. Stressful work environment 
  3. Skill required: creativity, management, research, branding, analytical, and marketing skills
  4. $71,000 and $141,000 a year 

  1. Human Resources Manager
  1. Responsible for planning administrative activities in an organization. They carry out the interview process for aspiring employees. Bridge between employees and management personnel. They conduct orientation for new recruits and execute disciplinary measures.
  2. $70,625 per year

  1. International Trade Compliance Manager
  1. Ensure that services or commodities imported or exported by companies follow both national and international trade regulations. 
  2. $85,278 per year

Education Required:

  • Entry-level jobs only require an associate's degree
  • Bachelor’s degree is what most careers require

Skills Required:

  1. Communication - is the way business is done. Due to international business being open to all borders, learning the language of the country to which the business partner resides is key for new opportunities. Furthermore, nonverbal communication is imperative, using proper body language, posture, and eye contact enhances verbal communication. 
  2. Emotional Intelligence - is the perception and managing of other people’s emotions as well as oneself’s. Due to global business connecting many cultures together, there may be language barriers, thus being emotionally intelligent can help form connections with others. 
  3. Cultural Awareness - every culture has nuances that make them unique. Understanding cultural nuances can enhance business negotiations and deals. 
  4. Hard Skills - are business skills such as: basic economic principles, financial accounting, and entrepreneurial frameworks. International business opens up a multitude of business opportunities, but along with this comes political and social considerations that apply internationally. Also, taxes and trade deficits have to be accounted for when doing business on a global scale.

Sources:

  1. https://www.zippia.com/international-business-major/salary/ 
  2. https://business.fiu.edu/graduate/insights/five-reasons-why-you-should-study-international-business.cfm
  3. https://research.com/careers/international-business-careers#:~:text=Statistics%2C%20May%202018-,International%20Business%20Career%20Outlook,30%25%20within%20the%20same%20period
  4. https://www.bestcollegesonline.org/lists/5-top-paying-careers-in-international-business/ 
  5. https://learn.org/articles/Whats_the_Job_Description_of_a_Global_Marketing_Professional.html#:~:text=As%20a%20global%20marketing%20professional,strategies%20to%20improve%20company%20sales
  6. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/international-business-degree-jobs 
  7. https://online.tamiu.edu/articles/mba/international-trade-compliance-manager.aspx#:~:text=Duties%20mainly%20involve%20creating%20and,that%20imports%20and%20exports%20products
  8. https://learn.org/articles/What_are_the_Education_Requirements_for_Starting_a_Career_in_International_Business_Management.html#:~:text=While%20most%20careers%20in%20international,jobs%20with%20an%20associate%27s%20degree.  
  9. https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/international-business-skills

Contributors

Alyssa Xu
Editor
Ethan Wang
Marketeer
Claire Yang
Marketeer