Disclaimer: This article includes affiliate links. I am an Amazon Affiliate. See the disclosure(s) throughout for more information.
A degree in international business contains all of the business basics in a standard business degree and in addition includes courses on conducting business globally. As an international business major, your degree will allow you to work in a business role that involves international opportunities. International opportunities could include things like international business travel, working with locations in another country, and expat living (living in a country you are not from).
If you want to be an international business major, here are some tips that can help you make the most of your education and help you to land your dream career in international business.
Learn a Language
Being able to communicate in another language will significantly help your odds of being able to work or live in another country. This is something you can work on before you even start an international business program. With all the resources available, learning a foreign language is easier than ever.
I have been using Duolingo to learn Spanish for a few months now. It’s a free app that you can download and start learning a language anywhere.
Check out Duolingo here!
Study Geography
Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you decide to purchase through the Amazon link below, I will earn a commission on qualifying purchases.
Knowing geography is essential for international business managers. If you are passionate about working in a specific region, try to take a course on the area. You could take a course in geography or history to prepare you for your career and to boost your resume. For example, if you want to work in India, you may want to take a course that teaches you about the culture and regions that make up the country.
One resource I found while studying, was a book called “Prisoners of Geography” by Tim Marshall. The book is a little dry and is an academic work of writing (lots of facts and details). However, if you like geography I highly recommend it. The author writes about the different regions of the world and explains how the borders of countries have changed through events in history.
Click here for the link on Amazon to Prisoners of Geography!
Plan to Study or Intern Abroad
One of the best ways to boost your international business resume is to study or intern abroad. When you study abroad it shows that you are adaptable. It also shows you are willing to go outside of your comfort zone and your home country. When you take the leap to live in another country you learn about another country and how its’ people live on a daily basis. Living in another country will give you the greatest possible perspective and understanding of another culture.
I studied in Scotland for a year and it changed my entire career path. Before studying abroad, I was interested in international business but now I’ve found it truly is my passion. If you are considering studying abroad and want to talk to someone about it, send me a email! I’d love to talk to you about study abroad!
For information on studying in the UK, check out my complete guide on studying in Scotland here!
Be Willing to Relocate
If you are interested in working in international business, willingness to relocate would make you valuable as a potential employee. This could be relocation within your country or internationally. At the very least, you should be willing to travel internationally. If you don’t like travelling, international business management may not be the career for you.
For me, the potential to relocate or travel internationally for work is absolutely thrilling! I would be getting paid to do something I love. That’s the dream!
Consider the Peace Corp or Other Volunteer Abroad Programs
Another way to get international business experience could be through the Peace Corp or other volunteer abroad programs. Any opportunity to go see the everyday life in another country would be great experience. This would give you a better understanding of the culture and the people that live there. Firsthand knowledge of this could be beneficial while in your international business role.
I haven’t done any volunteer abroad programs, but I would love to try it out in the future. If you’ve volunteered abroad, write to me about your experience at sarahelizabethmanagement@gmail.com ! I would love to hear from you.
Thanks for reading! I wish you the best of luck in you International Business Management Education and Career!
