The information on this page is designed to help you explore possible careers. Use the links below to navigate to different areas of the page. We recommend working with a career counselor to help you identify careers based on your skills, interests, and values.
A major in international studies helps students develop transferable skills that are valued by employers. These skills include: analysis, research, writing, problem solving, and knowledge of other cultures and languages. International studies majors may find employment in business, government, nonprofits, social services, consulting firms, and educational institutions depending on their skills and experience. Internships may be a prerequisite to finding employment.
Resources to Generate Ideas for Careers and Places of Employment
List of Employers and Job Titles Developed from Jobs Posted in Handshake for International Studies Majors
The following list of employers and job titles was derived from the University Career Center's jobs database where the employer specifically requested international studies majors. This list does not reflect all potential places of employment or kinds of jobs for international studies majors. This list does not reflect current openings.
- ABF Freight System, Inc. — Management Trainee
- American Water Works International — International Sales Trainee
- Cascadia Behavioral HealthCare — Cultural Specialist
- CBS — News Internship — requested International Studies majors in the following areas: Africa, East Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East.
- Care: Job Opportunities
- Child Aid — Administrative/Fiscal Assistant
- Clark College — Director of International Programs
- Columbia Grain International, Inc. — Export Operations
- Columbia Sportwear Company — International Regional Assistant I
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) — Staff Operations Specialist
- FUNADEH (Fundacion Nacional para el Desarrollo de Honduras) — Assistant to Coordinator of Activiteca
- GlaxoSmithKline — Marketing Consultant
- Global One — International Trade Researcher
- GoAbroad — On-Campus Recruiter
- Innovation and Intrigue: Employment at the CIA
- IRCO - Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization — Academic & Activity Instructor & Tutoring Support Specialist
- Hands to Hearts International — Research and Outreach Coordinator
- Human Rights Watch — International Human Rights Fellowships
- Jesuit Volunteer Corps — Includes international opportunities.
- JET Programme
- Lutheran Community Services Northwest — SUN Site Coordinator
- Medical Teams International — Manager Emergency Relief
- National Security Agency (NSA) — Employment
- Northwest Interpreters, Inc. — Interpreter Project Coordinator
- Oregon State University (OSU) — OSU Asia Regional Director for Exchanges and Internships
- Oregon University System (OUS) — Asia Regional Director for Exchanges and Internships, International Trade and Development Fellowship
- Oxfam International - Vacancies
- Pacific Interpreters, Inc. — Interpreter Resource Assistant, Language Tester
- Peace Corps: The Toughest Job You'll Ever Love!
- Quadra Chemicals Western, Inc. — Project Coordinator
- Radford University — Director of Multicultural and International Student Services
- Save the Children — Employment
- Schneider National, Inc. — Rotational Leadership Program Undergraduate
- Siemens Building Technologies — Global Sales Communications
- Southern Oregon University — International Students Program Advisor, Study Abroad Program Advisor
- United Nations Employment Opportunties
- USAID Employment Opportunities
- U.S. Department of State Career Site
- VTechAAT — Director of Product Management
- World Cancer Research Fund International — International Management Trainee
- Ziba Design — International Project Coordinator-Japanese
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Careers Reported by International Studies Majors (Recent Graduates) on College/University Surveys
This is a list of jobs international studies majors reported having at graduation. It was generated from survey data published by colleges and universities across the United States. The University Career Center provides this list as a tool for generating ideas for exploration.
- Account Coordinator for digital marketing and media company
- Administrative Assistant for a think tank
- Analyst for a bank
- Assistant Language Teacher for a cultural exchange program
- Assistant Manager/Buyer for a music store
- Assistant Self-Sufficiency Advisor for a nonprofit agency fighting poverty
- Business Analyst for a consulting firm
- Call Center Manager for an engineering company
- Clerk for a district court
- Community Development Volunteer for the Peace Corps
- Community Organizer for a civil rights advocacy organization
- Compliance Analyst for an investment firm
- Constituent Services Aide for an elected official
- Contract Specialist for a mortgage company
- Counselor/Teacher for at-risk youth in a social services agency
- Customer Marketing Manager for a global consumer packaged goods manufacturer
- English Language Assistant for a ministry of education
- English Teacher for an education nonprofit
- Field Organizer for an environmental nonprofit
- Financial Analyst for a media and entertainment company
- Financial Service Professional for mutual life insurance company
- Foreign Service Officer for the State Department
- Grassroots product specialist for a sports apparel manufacturer
- Guidance Counselor for a social services agency serving youth
- Human Resources Assistant for a federal government agency
- Human Resources Associate for a large high-technology company
- Import Account Representative for a logistics and freight forwarding company
- Information Services Assistant for an forestry institute in India
- Language Instructor for private English teaching company
- Major Gifts Coordinator for a coalition of charitable organizations
- Management Analyst for a federal government agency
- Manager for an import/export company
- Marketing Analyst for a financial services company
- Materials Specialist for a nonprofit advocacy group for Hispanics
- Media Planner for an advertising agency
- Outreach Specialist for a coalition of charitable nonprofits
- Paralegal Assistant/Translator for a law firm
- Program Assistant for a US agency responsible for nonmilitary foreign aid
- Program Coordinator for a nonprofit international exchange organization
- Program Director for Disaster Services for a humanitarian aid organization
- Project Manager for a language and IT services provider
- Recruiter for a staffing group
- Researcher for a consulting firm
- Sales Representative for a consumer goods manufacturer
- Staff Assistant for public policy organization
- Strategic Planning Analyst for media and entertainment company
- Teacher for an education nonprofit
- Teacher’s Assistant through a grant for international educational exchange
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Careers Reported by International Studies Majors on the American Community Survey
This list of job titles was generated from American Community Survey data. Every year, the federal government surveys 3,000,000 people. This list shows some of the most-often reported careers for people who majored in international studies. For a brief description of the following jobs, go to the Standard Occupational Classification published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The University Career Center provides this list as a tool for generating ideas for exploration.
- Lawyers and Judges
- Postsecondary Teachers
- Management Analysts
- Elementary and Middle School Teachers
- Human Resources Workers
- Marketing and Sales Managers
- Chief Executives and Legislators
- Financial Managers
- Secondary School Teachers
- Accountants and Auditors
- Social and Community Service Managers
- Writers and Authors
- Education Administrators
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Registered Nurses
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Social Workers
- Operations Research Analysts
- Human Resources Managers
- Computer and Information Systems Managers
- Personal Financial Advisors
- Software Developers, Applications and Systems Software
- Public Relations Specialists
- Fundraisers
- Counselors
- Compliance Officers
- Librarians
- Designers
- Psychologists
- Medical and Health Services Managers
- Web Developers
- Physicians and Surgeons
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Vocational Biographies
Vocational Biographies describes the career success stories of 1001 real people. Search by career, title, keyword, topic, and career cluster. Username: portlandsu and password: 3W9N
- Foreign Service
- Bilingual Program Director
- Interpreter/Translator
- Literacy Volunteer Coordinator
- Teacher of ESL
- International Visitor's Council Secretary
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Professional Associations
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