Vicki writes:
I am in an international business program at a college where one of the requirements is an internship abroad. What is the real value in this requirement — and what should I be looking for in an international internship, and how do I go about finding one?
The Career Doctor responds:
You might not appreciate it now, but the required international internship is a necessary aspect of your education because you will be immersed into the business culture of a country other than your own. While studying international business from textbooks and professors is important, living it is something even more important. You’ll experience firsthand the business climate, cultural traditions, and social and political trends.
An international internship also forces you into using the foreign-language and other skills you have learned.
International-business majors who want to work abroad or for a multinational company need to get the necessary international experience through at least one out-of-country experience.
You’ll want to look for one that is going to give you the best experience — the most exposure — and ideally in the industry/location where you want to work after graduation.
How do you find an international internship? Through your network of contacts — professors, alumni, international studies office, and the career center. You don’t necessarily need a connection for an international internship, but having such contacts will make it so much easier.
By the way, here’s a little tidbit for those considering an international-business major. Studies show that more and more CEOs and corporate top managers are first being groomed for these positions by managing one or more international divisions.
Learn more about the value of internships in general, by going to this section of Quintessential Careers: Internship Resources for College Students.
