International Studies

International Studies/International Business


Check out the Seattle University International Studies departments Career Pathways page for additional content curated by the department faculty and staff for students interested in international studies career paths, types of jobs, alumni testimonials, and more!

International Business

  • Management
  • Human resources
  • Labor relations
  • Banking and finance
  • Economics
  • International development
  • Real estate
  • Sales
  • Marketing and advertising
  • Product management
  • Supply chain management
  • Healthcare administration
  • Agricultural economics
  • Manufacturing
  • Engineering/Computer and software services
  • Importing/Exporting
  • Customer service
  • Consulting

Employers

  • International companies:
    • Foreign firms operating in the U.S.
    • U.S. firms operating in foreign countries
  • 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
  • Manufacturers: automobile
  • Retail stores
  • Environmental firms
  • Logistics firms
  • Sports organizations

Strategies

  • Earn a business minor or take business related coursework.
  • Become fluent in at least one additional language.
  • Develop international competency by studying abroad.
  • Seek an international internship, even if unpaid.
  • Learn about NAFTA, WTO, and GATT policies.
  • Acquire supervisory skills and experience by taking leadership roles in student organizations.
  • Learn about geography and international travel regulations.
  • Sharpen your public speaking and intercultural communication skills.
  • Interact with the international student population on campus.
  • Keep abreast of political, economic, and social changes worldwide.
  • Develop an understanding of the international business environment.
  • Research firms with international interests. Target larger firms that may be more likely to employ contracting services.
  • Develop your skills domestically and build a network of contacts.
  • Understand that many companies send more seasoned employees to work abroad. Be prepared to start working in the U.S. for a firm with an overseas presence.

International Relations

  • Diplomacy
  • Peacekeeping
  • Foreign affairs
  • Program administration
  • Community development
  • Economic development
  • Resource development
  • Public-private partnerships
  • Governance
  • Policy making and analysis
  • Legislative services
  • Political advising
  • Public sector reform
  • Poverty-reduction strategy
  • Ethics and anti-corruption
  • Human rights

Employers

  • United Nations
  • Non-governmental organizations
  • Relief agencies
  • Religious organizations
  • Educational institutions
  • Consulting firms
  • Research institutes
  • Foundations
  • Defense contractors
  • Legislative officials

Federal government:

  • Department of State
  • Department of Agriculture
  • Department of Commerce
  • Department of Defense:
    • Armed Services
  • US Agency for International Development
  • National Security Council
  • National Security Agency

Strategies

  • Become fluent in a second or third language.
  • Study, volunteer, or work internationally. Seek as many experiences abroad as possible.
  • Complete an internship specifically with a NGO, the US government, or an international government.
  • Study world governments, economics, and religions.
  • Be able to 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.
  • Seek cultural experiences on campus and get involved with international students.
  • Learn about geography and international travel regulations.
  • Stay abreast of international news and politics.
  • Sharpen your intercultural communication skills.
  • Learn to see all sides of a problem, including economic, social, political, and environmental.
  • Earn a relevant graduate degree such as international diplomacy, international relations, or law.
  • Research government hiring procedures and seek assistance from your campus career center.

Social Services

  • Human services provision
  • Public health
  • Disaster/Disease relief
  • Economic development
  • Community development
  • HIV/AIDS work
  • Policy development
  • Program administration
  • Program evaluation
  • Volunteer coordination

Employers

  • Non-governmental organizations
  • Private voluntary organizations
  • Humanitarian services
  • Religious organizations
  • Relief agencies
  • United Nations:
    • World Health Organization
    • UNICEF
    • Economic and Social Council
  • Federal government:
    • Peace Corps
    • US Agency for International Development
    • National Security Council

Strategies

  • Become fluent in one or more foreign language(s).
  • Work or study abroad to gain international/intercultural competency and practical experience.
  • Complete internships or fellowships to gain experience with social issues of interest.
  • Participate in an international service learning experience or go on mission trips.
  • Develop excellent research, writing, communication, and organizational skills.
  • Hundreds of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) exist in the US. Research organizations’ structures, functions, and missions to find a good fit.
  • Volunteer at relevant social service agencies to gain experience and demonstrate interest.
  • Work with or assist immigrants or refugees in the local community.
  • Gain experience with intercultural communication and an appreciation for diversity.
  • Learn about international humanitarian law.
  • Demonstrate strong analytical and management skills.
  • Research government hiring procedures and seek assistance from your campus career center.
  • Consider earning a graduate degree in social work, public administration, or related fields.

Language Services/Education

  • Teaching
  • Curriculum development
  • Tutoring
  • Translating/Interpreting
  • Research
  • Writing
  • Library science
  • Higher Education Administration:
    • International Student Support Services
    • International Houses or Cultural Centers
    • Student affairs
    • Study abroad programming

Employers

  • International schools
  • Overseas dependents’ schools
  • English language institutes
  • Professional language schools
  • Non-governmental organizations
  • Religious organizations
  • Colleges and universities
  • Third-party study abroad providers
  • Self-employed
  • Federal government agencies

Strategies

  • Gain practical domestic teaching experience and the necessary training or certificate to teach abroad. Teacher training should include supervised classroom experience.
  • Minor or double major in another subject that you could also teach.
  • Research certification options for teaching English (TESOL, CELTA, CELTC, TEFL).
  • Obtain certificates from schools whose graduates are hired in the international marketplace.
  • 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. Those who are successful at teaching abroad tend to be independent, flexible, and patient.
  • Develop superior written and oral communication skills in the English language including proper sentence structure and comprehensive vocabulary.
  • Notify local hospitals, schools, and chambers of commerce of your availability to translate or interpret for international visitors.
  • Get involved with student leadership experiences on campus.
  • Look for positions in developing nations or Asian countries. Teaching positions in Europe are very competitive.
  • Earn a master’s degree in College Student Affairs to work with study abroad programs or with international student services.

Communications

  • Foreign news correspondence
  • International broadcasting
  • Reporting
  • Editorial/Column writing
  • Investigative journalism
  • Research
  • Photography
  • Freelance work

Employers

  • Foreign news agencies
  • Television networks
  • Large circulation newspapers
  • Wire services
  • Trade newspapers
  • Online publishers
  • Labor unions
  • Academic journals
  • International newspapers
  • Magazines
  • Websites
  • Self-employed

Strategies

  • Earn a minor or supplement curriculum with communication courses, (e.g., journalism, advertising, and broadcasting).
  • Gain experience with campus newspaper or media.
  • Obtain a summer job or internship with a newspaper or other media source.
  • Demonstrate curiosity, high energy level, ability to produce under pressure, and withstand criticism.
  • Develop excellent grammar and writing skills.
  • Create a portfolio of work samples, especially those that have been published, or demonstrate multimedia work on a website or electronic portfolio.
  • Travel and study abroad. Learn a second language.
  • Get involved in professional associations. Build a network of contacts.
  • Research international media firms.

International Public Law

  • Economic law
  • Trade and investment law
  • Commercial arbitration
  • Criminal law
  • Refugee law
  • Human rights law
  • Environmental law
  • Humanitarian law

Employers

  • Federal government:
    • Department of Defense
    • Department of State
    • Department of Commerce
    • Department of Protection Agency
  • Law firms with an international practice
  • Overseas law firms
  • Corporations
  • Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), (e.g., Amnesty International, Human Rights First).
  • Inter-governmental organizations (IGSs), (e.g., United Nations (UN), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ).
  • Consulting firms

Strategies

  • Develop strong research skills and attention to detail.
  • Participate in debate teams to hone communication skills.
  • Gain practical experience through an internship, part-time or summer work in a law firm.
  • Shadow an attorney to learn more about the field and various specialties.
  • Get involved in pre-law organizations.
  • Plan to attend law school and earn a law degree (JD).
  • Maintain a high grade point average and secure strong faculty recommendations. Prepare for the LSAT (Law School Admission Test).
  • Research law schools to find those that offer courses in international public law and have a good reputation.
  • While in law school, gain international experience through internships or summer programs.
  • Jobs in this field are extremely competitive. Plan to gain several years experience before starting an international law career.

Travel and Tourism

  • International airline services
  • Booking and reservations
  • Travel services/guidance
  • Ecotourism
  • Convention and visitors’ bureaus
  • Transportation
  • Hospitality
  • Restaurant/Food service
  • Customer/Guest services
  • Marketing management

Employers

  • Tour and excursion companies
  • Travel agencies
  • Lodging: hotels/motels, resorts, timeshares
  • Property management companies
  • Restaurants/Food services providers
  • Airlines/Airports
  • Cruise lines
  • Car rental agencies
  • Convention centers
  • Chambers of commerce
  • Amusement centers, theme parks, and attractions
  • U.S. Military Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs

Strategies

  • Supplement coursework or earn a minor in hotel, restaurant, & tourism administration or recreation & tourism management.
  • Gain experience through an internship, part-time, or summer work in a hotel, restaurant, or area of interest.
  • Work or study abroad to gain international/intercultural competency.
  • Learn about international travel regulations.
  • Develop office management and technology skills.
  • Maintain a travel blog.
  • Show attention to detail.
  • Build a strong foundation in customer service.
  • Learn to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people and to work well in teams.
  • Become fluent in another language.
  • Understand that employees in this industry typically work long hours including nights, weekends, and holidays.
  • Prepare to work “from the bottom up” to gain industry experience in order to relocate for promotions.

General Information

  • Develop linguistic skills. Become fluent in a second and third language.
  • Demonstrate intercultural competency, sensitivity, and tolerance.
  • Gain experience communicating with people from other cultures. Seek opportunities to interact with international students on campus or in your community.
  • Study abroad, work abroad, or travel to a foreign country while in school to develop language skills and international competency.
  • Commit to a continuous study of host country’s language.
  • Develop a good understanding of etiquette and business practices in country of target.
  • Look for temporary or volunteer positions abroad.
  • Obtain daily papers in target city to determine international and national news, business features, real estate markets, and community calendars.
  • Get your foot in the door through domestic positions because many international employers promote current employees to international positions.
  • Develop traits such as creativity, initiative, tenacity, a willingness to take risks, an adventurous spirit, and a sense of humor.
  • In general, international positions are competitive and difficult to obtain. Be proactive in developing the skills and experiences that will prepare you for an overseas job.
  • Be very planful about building an international career. It takes time to develop a set of skills and experiences that will prepare you for an overseas job.
  • Learn about international travel regulations including the specific visa requirements for the country you’re traveling to and the jobs you’ll be working in.

General / Government

Education / Journalism

International Trade / Economics