As the ninth-largest exporting state in the nation, Ohio’s international business professionals are instrumental in securing strategic export deals with the state’s trade partners throughout the world. Figures from the US Department of Commerce show that in 2014 Ohio’s merchandise exports brought in a total of $52.1 billion, representing 8.9 percent of Ohio’s total Gross State Product for that year. These exports also supported 263,356 domestic jobs, including corporate leadership and strategic management positions for international business professionals.
Ohio offers international business professionals a wide range of career and promotional opportunities with multinational and multi-domestic companies.
The US Department of Labor published data showing the prevalence of international business professionals throughout the state (2014):
- Wholesale and Retail Buyers – Certain rural areas of Ohio employ some of the largest numbers of wholesale and retail buyers of all non-metro areas in the nation
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists – Ohio employs the fifth-largest number of international market research analysts and marketing specialists of all states in the nation
- Financial Managers – Certain non-metro areas of Ohio employ some of the largest numbers of international financial managers of all rural areas in the country
International business professionals in Ohio benefit from the support of such state government agencies as the Ohio Development Services Agency and its Export Assistance Division, which help facilitate international trade while maintaining strong trade relations.
Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in International Business
Having a degree in International Business is an essential starting point for tomorrow’s prospective global business leaders. Ohio is home to a number of colleges and universities that offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in international business through both online and traditional on-site programs.
Ohio graduates who hold a degree in the field of international business have gone on to pursue careers like:
- International Trade Manager – Working with large companies as well as more specialized smaller businesses, these professionals oversee trade relationships
- Global Export Coordinator – These professionals manage the logistical side of international exports
- Import-Export Compliance Specialist – These professionals work to ensure adherence to import and export regulations and laws, and can be employed by government agencies or private enterprises
Bachelor’s Degree in International Business
Ohio’s schools of international business offer bachelor’s degree programs such as:
- Bachelor of Science (BS) in International Business
- Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) in International Business
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) in International Relations and Diplomacy
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) in International Economics
As part of the main curriculum students will learn about subjects like:
- Emerging markets
- Principles of management
- Organizational behavior
- Business processes
- Supply chain management
- Statistics in business
- Economics and business accounting
- International economics and finance
- Business law
- Cross-cultural management
Graduates who have earned their bachelor’s degree can pursue jobs like:
- International Supplier
- Public Relations Specialist
- Director of Advertising
- Financial controllers
- International management analyst
- International accountant
Master’s Degree Programs in International Business
Professionals and students who are ready to expand their career or promotional opportunities can choose to earn a master’s degree in the field of international business. Ohio graduates of these programs have gone on to pursue careers that include:
- International Commerce Legal Director
- Supply Chain Manager
- Professor of International Business
- International Market Analyst
- Global Economic Consultant
- International Campaign Director
- Chief Executive Officer
- Global Financial Services Directors
The first step prospective graduate students will need to take relates to their program’s admission requirements. Typical requirements include:
- Undergraduate degree, with a major in a field related to international business or economics, or completion of specific prerequisite courses in these fields
- Minimum 3.0 GPA, cumulative or in the last two years of an undergraduate degree
- Minimum scores on the GRE or GMAT
- Prior experience working in the field of business
- Essay of personal ambitions and academic intent
- Letters of recommendation
International business majors can choose from several types of graduate programs:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) in International Business
- Master of Science (MS) in International Business
- Master of International Business (MIB)
- Master of Science in International Management (MIM)
Core courses within the international business program cover subjects such as:
- Global commodities trading
- Global investing
- International monetary policy
- Managing mergers and acquisitions
- Global corporation management
- Market privatizations
- International business policy
- Cross cultural talent management
- Global entrepreneurship
- Advanced statistics in global markets
Degree programs will often offer areas of specialization for students who want to concentrate their studies on a particular focus within international business. These areas of specialization can include:
- International Business Relations
- International Information and Communication
- International Law and Legal Policies
- International Political Economy
- Geographic and political areas of specialization:
- Asia-Pacific
- Middle-East
- Southeast Pacific
- Europe
- North America
- Africa
Ohio’s Presence in the Global Marketplace
International business professionals work with foreign companies that want to invest within the state, as well as with local companies that want to export their goods abroad. In 2012 the US Department of Commerce reported there were 224,000 Ohioans employed within the state by foreign companies. Conversely, local businesses generated billions in revenues through exports, especially with Ohio’s five leading trade partners in 2014:
- Canada – $20.68 billion in Ohio exports
- Mexico – $5.99 billion in Ohio exports
- China – $3.91 billion in Ohio exports
- United Kingdom – $1.77 billion in Ohio exports
- Germany – $1.73 billion in Ohio exports
Ohio Export Assistance
Part of the state’s Development Services Agency, Ohio’s Export Assistance division employs international business professionals to connect local businesses to the global community. These professionals provide services for businesses such as:
- Financial assistance for exporters
- Export education and counseling
- Market research assistance
- Facilitating relationships between new markets and customers
- Insurance and growth financing
- Resources for export interns
International Business Careers in Ohio
The following careers are from a survey of job vacancies taken throughout Ohio in July of 2015, and are provided as illustrative examples only:
Global Procurement Coordinator with Abercrombie and Fitch in New Albany – this professional fills the vital role of ensuring all supply chain segments are organized and working according to schedule. The incumbent works with other employees to ensure the supply chain details line up. Applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
Global Enterprise Architecture Manager with Sherwin-Williams in Cleveland – this professional is responsible for ensuring the company’s global supply chain functions efficiently, and will specifically work with the IT aspects of inventory management. Applicants for this position must have at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
International Trade Specialist with Invacare in North Ridgeville – the details of this profession include completing export documents, processing international shipments, coordinating international shipping, and developing an efficient shipping schedule for international goods. Applicants can qualify for this position with a college degree or at least five years of relevant work experience.
Local Resources for International Business Professionals in Ohio
Ohio is home to many government agencies and private organizations that provide support and resources for prospective international business professionals, including:
Government Agencies
- Ohio Development Services Agency
- Ohio Global Agriculture Trade Program
- Ohio Export Assistance
- Ohio Small Business Development Centers
- US Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration for Ohio
- Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority
Private and Professional Organizations