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I'm planning to major in international business with a minor in a foreign language. What kinds of careers or jobs have you pursued with your international business degree Also, looking back, is there anything you wish you had focused on more during your studies to better prepare for your career? #Spring25

I've had the opportunity to travel outside the United States with my mom on her business trips, and I absolutely loved the experience. It sparked my passion for international business, where I hope to help small companies expand into global markets or work for a global company to learn how business practices vary around the world.

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Kent’s Answer

That’s an awesome foundation you’re building — and it shows you’ve already connected your real-world experiences (traveling with your mom) to what you want to pursue. That mindset will absolutely help you stand out.

Quick Example Career Plan for You:
• Summer after graduation:
Land a global marketing, supply chain, or business development role at a small-to-mid-size company.
(More responsibility, faster.)
• Next 2-3 years:
Build real-world cross-border business experience (even if it’s US-based managing international operations).
• Long-term (5 years out):
Pivot into consulting, global strategy, or even start your own small business consultancy helping companies expand globally.

Kent recommends the following next steps:

• International Marketing Specialist (Helping brands localize and expand into new regions)
• Global Supply Chain Analyst / Coordinator (Managing logistics, vendors, sourcing from different countries)
• International Sales / Business Development (Working to sell products/services across markets — often with travel involved)
• Export/Import Compliance Analyst (Helping companies follow all laws and regulations as they move goods across borders)
• International Financial Analyst (Evaluating investments, operations, and risks across different markets)
Thank you comment icon Thank you, Kent! This is great information! Taylor
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Yukako’s Answer

Hi Taylor!

In college, I focused on foreign languages and also learned about international business. After I graduated, I started working in public accounting, specializing in international tax.

One of the best parts of public accounting is working with many different industries to help clients grow their businesses. In international tax, clients often face tricky cross-border tax issues. Many are from other countries, where business and cultural practices can be quite different. In these situations, background in international business, travel experiences, and knowledge of various cultures really help. This global view improves communication and leads to better, culturally aware solutions for international tax problems.

I do wish I had studied accounting in college. It would have been useful to understand the basics of how businesses work.
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David’s Answer

That's a great question, and it's clear you're looking in the right direction. Working in international growth can be challenging and complex, but it's also exciting if you're curious and eager to learn. I found it helpful to dive into case studies, listen to podcasts, and conduct global market research. Over time, I narrowed my international (it's a big world!) and focused on the APAC markets (and cross border outbound from these markets), where I spent a lot of time learning from local markets/ teams in order to align local needs with global goals. Looking back on it, I think learning a regional language like Chinese or Japanese during my studies would have been beneficial. Good luck!
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