From conducting business development research for mergers and acquisitions to working as a marketing manager of a technology company in China or a beauty products company in Germany, our graduates are leaving their mark across the world.
International business is a vast field with numerous opportunities. Whether you envision yourself as the international sales manager at a U.S. technology company, managing the global supply chain for a major defense contractor or perhaps working within an embassy’s commercial section to promote trade and investment, you’ll benefit from the rigorous preparation our program provides. We will teach you to work effectively with diverse populations while building a strong foundation in international finance and marketing, global supply chains, and international management strategy, along with a knowledge of international data sources.
Our graduates move on to careers in a range of fields including global supply chain management, market research, business development, financial analysis, business consulting and many others.
As an IB major, you will have the opportunity to complete a full semester and/or short-term (1-3 weeks) study abroad program. This experience will help you develop cultural sensitivity and better understand the history, politics, business practices and culture of a specific region. Many students complete an internship while studying abroad in such countries as Italy, Argentina, China and Japan. In addition, IB majors also can choose to complete a state of Connecticut Global Supply Chain Certificate.
Collaboration with local businesses and major firms in neighboring New York City lets you apply your knowledge in a real-world setting. Internships with companies such as Aetna, Johnson & Johnson, Deloitte, Sikorsky and Perrier provide further experience and opportunities to network.
Percentage of our program graduates who are either working or in a graduate program 6 months after graduation. (2020 survey of graduates)
Percentage of International Business majors who report high gains in their ability to think critically and analytically. (NSSE 2015)
Four students at Quinnipiac got the opportunity to develop cross-cultural research projects in areas that piqued their academic and professional interest for the 7th annual Sigma Xi Student Research Conference in April 2018. After their submissions underwent a lengthy review and selection process, students defended their work to an audience of faculty judges from a range of scientific disciplines.
“It was an amazing experience,” said Ryann Glushek ’20. Glushek’s goal is to earn a JD and MBA en route to a career as a legal consultant for multinational corporations. She is currently enrolled as a Quinnipiac law student.
Other research study presentations included “Antecedents of Political Terrorism: A Multinational Study” authored by Pavel Aragon ’18; “Cultural Influences on Contract Enforcement: A Multinational Study” authored by Ryann Glushek ’20; “A Multinational Study of Culture’s Impact on Gender Equality and Women’s Entrepreneurial Activity” authored by Cristiana Kamais ’19; and “Environmental and Cultural Values Impact on Country Happiness; A Multinational Study” authored by Megan Winagle ’18.
More recently in May 2020, four Quinnipiac students presented their research at the International Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society’s Virtual Student Scholars Symposium. One hundred students from around the world were selected to present research representing a range of “STEM” categories. Within the category of “Human Behavioral and Social Sciences,” Kaelin Murray ’22 presented a research project titled, “A Multinational Study of Culture and Economic Freedom’s Impact on Customer Orientation”; Christopher Hecht ’22 presented “Examining the Effects of Culture, Education and Corruption on Freedom of Expression: A Multinational Study”; Jaclyn Levesque ’21 presented “The Impact of Culture, Judicial Independence and GDP on Personal Freedom”; and William James ’22 presented “A Cross-Cultural Study of the Influences of National Culture, Political Culture, and Economic Growth on Innovation.” All of the students are international business majors.
Sigma Xi, the international honor society of science and engineering, is one of the world’s oldest and largest scientific organizations. In its 125-year history, more than 200 Nobel Prize winners have called themselves members. The Sigma Xi Student Research Conference enables students to cultivate a multinational perspective, significantly increase their research capabilities and enhance their public speaking skills, among other benefits.
“The presentation was good practice for public speaking and defending my argument. I was asked plenty of questions that had me defend my findings, the same way I would have to defend myself in a courtroom.” - Ryann Glushek ’20, international business major, current JD student
International business major Johanna Morse ’20 won the award for Best Student Research Paper for the master’s and undergraduate degree student category at the Academy of International Business Conference in Austin, Texas, in October 2019. About 100 papers were presented by researchers from 30 countries. Her empirical research paper addressed the impacts of national culture, education and country wealth on the social globalization of nations.
William Dowd ’19, MBA ’20, who double-majored in international business and finance, won the award for Best Student Paper at the Academy of International Business Conference in October 2019 at Rutgers University. His paper was titled “The Effect of Culture and Governance on Financial Inclusion: A Mediated Model.”
“At the conference, I learned how to format and present my research in an engaging way. This was important because keeping the audience engaged encouraged them to ask questions and even critique my work. This, in turn, is going to help me further my research, and hopefully better my research and presentations at future academic conferences. Overall, getting feedback from people who do this type of research for a living was a great learning experience and will better prepare me to continue my research.”
“I had the opportunity to travel to four continents,” Braca said. “I've managed to learn so much about the world and myself.”
Jenna Braca, dual-degree alumna
For Jenna Braca ’17, MBA ’18, gaining global perspective was central to both her undergraduate and graduate academic experiences. In 2015, the accelerated dual-degree (3+1) student completed a marketing internship at Tasly Pharmaceuticals in Tianjin, China, followed by an internship as a credit analyst at TD Bank in New York in Summer 2016.
She also studied abroad in Florence, Italy, and traveled to 13 other countries in Spring 2016.
”I had the opportunity to travel to four continents,” Braca said. ”I've managed to learn so much about the world and myself.”
An internship at Quinnipiac’s Central European Institute in Fall 2017 enabled Braca to continue working in cross-cultural environments while she earned her MBA. There, she utilized her creative problem-solving skills to help Hungarian companies enter the U.S. market.
”I really enjoyed my time with the CEI, and I’m excited to continue my work with the program,” she said.
As she finishes her accelerated dual-degree (3+1) program, Braca is confident that all of her professional growth and exposure will unlock career opportunities, both at home and abroad.
”I know that I will be able to use my experiences working with international companies in my future career.”
Nicholas Melillo ’00
After earning his BA in international business, Nicholas Melillo ’00 set out on a journey that would take him from managing a small tobacco shop to running the largest cigar factory in Nicaragua and eventually to launching his own company in 2015.
Melillo’s company, Foundation Cigars, has experienced tremendous success in a short amount of time. It made Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 list in its first year, and its premium, hand-rolled cigars can be found in smoke shops all over the world. For Melillo, this is just the beginning.
”I want to keep growing my company, but I want to do it the proper way,” he said. ”Quality and consistency will always be a crucial part of that.”
To ensure this level of quality, Melillo splits his time between Esteli, Nicaragua, where his home and factory are located, and his office and tobacco farm in Windsor, Connecticut. Whatever time zone he happens to be in, he is hard at work. Running an international company is incredibly challenging. Rising to the top of a craft industry presents an even greater challenge. Melillo couldn't imagine a better livelihood.
”Every day I get to combine my two great passions: cigars and business.”
Median starting salary for international business program.
There are 11.2M people in the international business workforce, which is growing at a rate of 3.01%. (Data USA)
The Quinnipiac University Career Connections online job portal contains more than 7,000 local and international employers to connect with.
A procurement agent is responsible for buying high-quality items for clients at the lowest possible prices and in the correct amount. They also prepare purchase orders and solicit bid proposals, as well as review requests for goods while making sure items' suppliers offer appropriate pricing, selection, support and reliability.
Economists study the production and distribution of resources, goods and services by collecting and analyzing data, researching trends and evaluating economic issues.
International trade specialists are an elite category of economists, and their primary duties are twofold: to study the effects of globalization on their business, and to develop a comprehensive business plan to make sure the business is successful abroad.
Foreign-exchange traders are responsible for conducting financial trading in foreign currencies across the globe on behalf of their company. These professionals use their expertise to buy and sell certain currencies and stock options at specific time intervals.
A business development representative is a specialized role related to the sales department of a company. While a sales representative works with existing clients to keep them happy and serve their needs, business development reps seek out and build new business for their company.
Enrollment and number of graduates
Number of international business program graduates:
Student enrollment in international business in 2018–19: 79
Retention and graduation rates
Median starting salary for international business program graduates: $54,875
Our undergraduate admissions counselors are here to answer any questions you may have and help you navigate the application process.