Global and International Studies is a versatile degree that can lead to jobs and careers in many different areas. Visit the department website, watch the videos below, or scroll down and select an option under Related Career Fields to see more information about potential careers you can pursue.
Global and International Studies
Related Career Fields
Select a career field below to see some of the various areas it encompasses, types of employers, and some sample occupations.
International Business
Career Areas
- 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 visitor's bureaus
- International airlines
- Transportation, travel, and hospitality industry
General Information
- 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
Career Areas
- 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)
General Information
- 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.
- 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 communication skills between cultures.
- Learn to see all sides of a problem, including economic, social, political, and environmental.
- Learn to work well on a team.
- Earn a relevant graduate degree such as international diplomacy, international relations, or law.
Nonprofit/Government
Career Areas
- Human Services Provision
- Public Health
- Disaster/Disease Relief
- Policy Development
- Program Administration
- Program Evaluation
- Volunteer Coordination
Employers
- Private voluntary organizations
- Nonprofit organizations
- International organizations
- Humanitarian services
- Government agencies with an international focus
- Relief organizations
- Associations, societies, research institutes
- National Security Council
- United Nations
- Defense contractors
- US Peace Corps
- US Foreign Service
- USAID
- Armed Services
General Information
- Study abroad while in school. Learn one or more foreign languages.
- Develop excellent research, writing, communication, and organizational skills.
- Develop networks.
- Complete internships in related areas.
- Participate in an international service learning experience or go on a mission trip.
- Federal international jobs require careful observation of a formal hiring procedure.
- Research the international organization/agency's structure and function.
- Volunteer at relevant social service agencies to gain 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 services requires passage of the Foreign Service Exam, after obtaining a master's degree or significant work experience.
Language Services and Education
Career Areas
- 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
General Information
- 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 TESL (Teaching English as 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/or 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
Career Areas
- 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
General Information
- 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.
Join Organizations
Being active in both student and professional organizations can help boost your career. You'll have the opportunity to network with and learn from peers, mentors, and professionals. Working within these groups helps build leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. You'll gain hands-on experience, showing employers your proactive attitude and commitment to growth, making you a stronger job candidate.
Student Organizations
Check out the organizations listed below, search Laker Life, or talk with a Career Coach to find others.
Search for Employers
General Guidelines and Strategies
- Entry-level positions are generally in the US, 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 or 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 the host country's language.
- Develop a good understanding of etiquette and business practices in the country of target.
- Look for temporary positions abroad.
- Obtain daily papers in the 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, an adventurous spirit, and a sense of humor.
- 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.
- Earn a relevant graduate degree such as international diplomacy, international relations, or law.
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