12 International Business Jobs to Consider
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International business involves global experiences, strategy, and connections — but what exactly is it, and what do those jobs look like?
International business means working across national borders in any number of industries and career paths. Whether you’re a digital marketer, business manager, or supply chain analyst, you’ll likely find opportunities to work in international business.
You can major or specialize in international business to boost your prospects of landing a job with a global focus after graduation.
What Jobs Can I Get With an International Business Degree?
International employers project strong hiring for business graduates: A 2024 GMAC survey of corporate recruiters from dozens of countries indicated planned hiring increases, particularly for MBA graduates.
Corporate recruiters from dozens of countries noted that decision-making, leadership, and other related skills will remain important for business graduates even amid the rise of AI.
An international business degree can help you build those skills and start your career. International business degrees usually have a broad, interdisciplinary focus. Courses typically include traditional business education topics like accounting and economics, along with focused instruction in supply chain management and cross-cultural communication.
You might also be able to select international business as a specialization within another major, like digital marketing, finance, business analytics, or supply chain management.
Many international business jobs require travel. If you’re working as a management analyst for an international consulting firm, for example, you might have the opportunity to travel across the globe to a company’s headquarters to meet with employees and help them plan for the future. If you’re a sales manager, you may need to travel abroad to meet with clients to pitch your product.
Here’s a small sampling of the jobs available at international corporations:
| Job | Description | Minimum Education Required | Job Outlook (2023-2033) | Median Salary (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialists | Manages schedules and staff projects | Bachelor’s | 7% | $98,580 |
| Human Resource Specialist | Helps with a number of human resources tasks like training, recruitment, and payroll | Bachelor’s | 8% | $67,650 |
| Logistician | Handles an organization’s supply chain needs | Bachelor’s | 19% | $79,400 |
| Financial Analyst | Analyzes financial conditions to help businesses and individuals profit | Bachelor’s | 9% | $99,890 |
| Market Research Analyst | Studies consumer and market trends to project sales and viability | Bachelor’s | 8% | $74,680 |
| Accountant | Manages an organization’s money | Bachelor’s | 6% | $79,880 |
| Job | Description | Minimum Education Required | Job Outlook (2023-2033) | Median Salary (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Manager | Leads an organization’s finances, investments, and strategy | Bachelor’s | 17% | $156,100 |
| Top Executive | Directs an organization and plans long-term strategies and goals | Bachelor’s | 6% | $103,840 |
| Management Analyst | Analyzes organizations to improve efficiency and save costs | Bachelor’s | 11% | $99,410 |
| Information Security Analyst | Helps an organization with cybersecurity and information security | Bachelor’s | 33% | $120,360 |
| Sales Manager | Manages sales teams and strategy | Bachelor’s | 6% | $135,160 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | Leads IT at an organization | Bachelor’s | 17% | $169,510 |
Popular Online Business Programs
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7 Types of Employers Seeking International Business Skills
Top skills for international business professionals include planning investments, consulting with international companies, and coordinating international business objectives.
Here are the types of businesses seeking employees with international business acumen:
Multinational Corporations
Multinational corporations are probably the best example of where you’ll put your international business skills into practice. Corporations with branches in different countries will require you to work cross-culturally and plan business operations in different national environments. You can work in various roles in human resources, finance, sales, or communications.
Consulting Firms
Top consulting firms operate worldwide to improve efficiency at major companies. Communication and cross-cultural understanding are key when working at an international consulting firm. You’ll need to be prepared to step into different corporate and organizational environments worldwide and address their needs.
Logistics Companies
Logistics companies help keep the global supply chain moving, which involves rigorous planning and international cooperation. International business skills are crucial in addition to the analytical ability required to effectively manage a global supply chain.
Banks
Working at a major international financial institution can involve helping people and organizations of all cultures and backgrounds manage their money. Major banks with branches across the world need employees who can communicate effectively across languages and cultures. They also need professionals who have a deep understanding of the global economy and can weigh ever-changing international financial factors when planning investments.
Financial Firms
Like banks, financial and investment firms deal with money and require workers to have effective communication skills as well as financial acumen. Working for an international investment firm means thinking about money in a global sense, as emerging markets across the world play an ever-growing role in shaping the worldwide economy.
Marketing Agencies
Companies of all shapes and sizes are looking to break into new markets across the world — and marketing agencies play a key role in helping organizations enter those emerging markets. Creating an effective marketing strategy in a new international market requires a keen cultural understanding and marketing sense to effectively communicate to targeted audiences.
Cybersecurity Companies
Cybersecurity is a key issue for businesses across the globe. With cybersecurity threats on the rise, cybersecurity companies need an international mindset to safeguard their clients from threats. Combating cybercrime is increasingly becoming a global task and requires international collaboration, communication, and understanding to protect individuals’ and organization’s data.
International Business Career Pathways
International business jobs encompass more than economics and finance. A growing focus on tech across industries and an increasingly globalized economy create international business opportunities in several industries.
Finance
The global finance sector, particularly the specialized field of financial technology (fintech) is set for meteoric growth over the next decade. With emerging fintech companies popping up across the globe, you can pursue international finance job opportunities.
New fintech jobs complement growth in the financial sector worldwide, with financial analysts and managers in high demand, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Having international business skills in addition to financial expertise can make you a valuable asset to a firm or company.
Supply Chain Management
The global supply chain management market is projected to grow at a rapid pace over the next decade. Both individual corporations and international supply chain and logistics firms employ logisticians and supply chain managers. The need for materials in manufacturing and construction, coupled with the strain put on the supply chain by a host of international factors, has led to a high demand for logisticians both in the U.S. and abroad.
Cybersecurity
Cyber threats are on the rise, and cybersecurity professionals are in demand. The BLS projects much faster than average growth for information security analysts from 2023 to 2034 as companies in the U.S. and abroad grapple with growing cyber threats. Working in international cybersecurity could mean working for a specialized firm or helping a business secure its data as an on-staff analyst.
Hospitality and Tourism
International tourism is back. The World Tourism Organization notes that international tourism is expected to reach pre-pandemic levels in 2024. That means you’ll likely find opportunities to work in the recovering international tourism industry.
Unfortunately, the influx of tourism around the world has led to issues such as overtourism and crowding, which have caused protests in some areas. Working in the tourism industry demands strong cultural sensitivity and communication skills to ensure that tourism is done ethically, sustainably, and responsibly.
Sustainability
As world governments embrace sustainability policies, a growing number of companies are adopting green policies and creating jobs related to sustainability. The growth of green energy options like wind and solar power is creating global opportunities.
International business skills are key to working in sustainability, as you’ll likely work with companies across the globe to shape their sustainability efforts. International sustainability jobs require a strong focus in communication and cultural understanding in addition to knowledge about the green economy.
Frequently Asked Questions About International Business Careers
International business is a broad field with opportunities across industries. Whether you’re focused on marketing, finance, technology, or another field, adding skills like cross-cultural collaboration and communication can help you break into an international business job.
