Competitiveness in today’s business environment often requires business executives and managers to think and act globally. An education in international business combined with second language proficiency is increasingly important for both international and domestic business success.
Our international business program emphasizes international business and economics, as well as foreign language study and other global courses such as political geography and international relations. International business students are encouraged to take complementary courses in business administration, economics, the humanities, and the social sciences to expand their global understanding and to gain a greater knowledge of related issues.
Important skills emphasized in the International Business Program include written and oral communication, marketing, teamwork, second language competency, people skills, cultural diversity, and world geography.
International business students are encouraged to complete an internship relating to their area of study. International business students should visit Career and Professional Development to learn more about job interviews, job openings, and resumes.
A degree or concentration in international business prepares students to function in many entry- and mid-level positions in firms actively involved in business activities across international borders, or to begin a career in the international civil service or international legal profession. Your career accomplishments, however, relate just as much to your interests, work effort, and job skills as to your academic major. Majoring in international business is excellent preparation for those who wish to pursue graduate study in business, economics, or law. An international business major or concentration provides a strong background for those seeking an MBA.
Examples of career fields relating to international business include the following: international marketing specialist, international product manager, international sales analyst, international financial analyst, international customer liaison, international stockbroker, purchasing manager, and export/import manager.
Featured Graduate Profiles:
Liz Reichart, ’17, has been awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant. The Fulbright Program is a flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government that provides participants – chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential – with the opportunity to study, teach, conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. This prestigious award, given by the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, will send Reichart to Bonn, Germany to study the economics of renewable energy.
A Hudson, Ohio native, Reichart graduated from HPU with degrees in international business and graphic design. Reichart’s Fulbright proposal project was inspired by her intended career path and her passion for journalism, economics, environmental studies and foreign cultures. She plans to become an international professional in sustainability, whether it be an environmental lawyer, a Foreign Service member or an international development expert.
“There is an enormous amount of work to be done in the search for sustainable solutions and the fiduciary measures that support them,” says Reichart. “This project came out of the urgent nature of this topic and the innovative answers that only cultural exchange can provide. My hope is that if Germany can create a complex economy based on renewable energy, applicable solutions exist for the United States.”
Stephanie Ziolkowski, ’16 – Human Relations and Executive Assistant at SREE Hotels
The most impactful mentor for me at HPU is Dr. Claudia Femenias, my Spanish professor and academic advisor throughout my four years at High Point. She encouraged me to change my Spanish minor to a double major with International Business, and assured me that I could handle the extra work load when I was skeptical. She also helped convince me that studying abroad in Spain would make a world of difference in my Spanish pronunciation and fluency. She helped me choose the right classes to take while abroad to make the most of my experience, while also maintaining a rigorous course load. She often believed in my Spanish ability more than I did, and challenged me both inside and outside of the classroom. I couldn’t have graduated with a double major in International Business and Spanish without Dr. Femenias’ help and support.”
Chas Bassing, ’16 – Financial Representative and Team Captain at Northwestern Mutual
HPU helped me by giving me access to the Career & Professional Development center. This team has helped me go through several drafts of my resume to land an internship each summer. HPU also offered me an environment that breeds success. I also used the career center’s PantherLink to find internships.”
Cassie Williams, ’15 – Inbound Annuities Representative at Lincoln Financial
“High Point University has provided me with an outstanding liberal arts education that has given me a well-rounded foundation for future success, along with unlimited resources and opportunities. High Point University also constantly surrounded me with professors who truly cared about my success while motivating and encouraging me to succeed.”
Stefanie Vorleiter, 15 – Lenovo’s Accelerated Sales Rotational (LASR) Program
“The classes I took and the resources I got from the university and professors helped me prepare, apply, and be confident when looking for jobs. Career and Professional Development also helped me look for internships and jobs. They helped me create, revise, and perfect my resume, LinkedIn, and other documents needed.“
Samuel Mickey, ’14 – Pursuing MBA at D’amore-Mckim School of Business at Northeastern University
“High Point University provided me with time management and organizational skills that have allowed me to remain consistently focused on my goals. My experiences at High Point University have taught me to maintain the confidence that is necessary to communicate effectively with important executives.”
McKenna Adams, ’14 – Supply Chain Professional Development Program (PDP) with Northrop Grumman Corporation
“During one of the High Point Furniture Markets, I was hired by Bernhardt Furniture to work within their export department to improve communication with their Chinese accounts.”
Luiza Fogaca, ’14 – International Sales Associate for furniture company Schnadig and Caracole in High Point
“HPU has given me many tools to enhance my skills and to earn much more than a college degree; it has helped me to improve my communication, networking and relationship building skills. All those factors are extremely important in the business world, especially when you are dealing with people from all over the world, which implies different cultures and customs. HPU has also given me the opportunity to get involved in many ways off-campus that expanded my knowledge and opened many doors and opportunities.”
