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International Trade could technically be considered a STEM major since International Trade is associated with Economics and Geography which are Social Sciences.
What would you guys think about getting a BA in International Trade and then getting a MA in Economics? Is that a lucrative path? If I were to get the BA in International Trade then what do you guys think would be a good complementary graduate program?
I'm trying to stay away from the "traditional" business degree since I feel that almost everybody is flocking to it and that the supply will outstrip the demand
The bolded might make more sense. Whatever you do, make the most of your options for internships. Stay in touch with your Internat'l Trade faculty, maybe they could set you up with some connections for an internship.
Advisers shouldn't make an unjustifiably rosy picture just to sell you on the program. I was an adviser, and I didn't do that. Usually the students who came to the department were already decided on their major/MA program anyway. If you ask focussed questions, like "what kind of jobs in this field have recent graduates found", they'll respond to that, and there's no room for hype, it's strictly factual. Also, as I said, make an appointment with someone in the job placement office (if your school has one), in connection with the Internat'l Trade degree you're completing, so see if they have ideas.
All of these services are free to you as a student, take advantage of them. You could also make an appointment with a couple of faculty members, and ask them if they have ideas or contacts. Some faculty are really good about referring talented students to business contacts, and some aren't into it at all. If you had a prof you particularly liked, or who noticed your good work, start with him/her, and see if s/he can recommend anyone else in the department for you to see.
I went to Community College after HS since I was unsure about what I wanted to do. Five semesters later, I earned an Associate Degree in Accounting.
Now, I transferred to a 4 year Public University and i've decided that i'm no longer interested in Accounting. I switched to International Trade since Geography has always been what my passion& what my soul was meant to do (Intl.Trade has a very heavy geography curriculum).
Now my major is International Trade (not to be confused with International Business) and I will get my BA in International Trade next Spring AND THEN WILL get an MA in International Trade directly after.
MY QUESTION IS: How lucrative is this combo and how competitive will I be?(I also have ~6 months of international trade-related experience)
Honestly, my assessment is that it's not very lucrative. Getting into international trade probably requires going the standard business route through a large company that does this kind of work, and you'll have to specialize along the way...so your accounting side would probably be more desirable. A BS in accounting would be most lucrative. Or Finance with a series of business classes. Strength in geography is not going to qualify you very well.
International Trade could technically be considered a STEM major since International Trade is associated with Economics and Geography which are Social Sciences.
STEM
Social science is not STEM. By science they mean SCIENCE as in physics, chemistry, biology, etc. Science that uses the empirical method where you test a hypothesis. Social science falls under liberal arts.
Economics could be considered Math but I doubt most international trade degrees deal with the more mathematical parts of econ.
Geography in itself is NOT stem, BUT many geography majors do use GIS which is technical so it call fall under technology. Again, I doubt the degree would really push the more technology parts of geography.
I would have to see the program in question but I seriously doubt International Trade could be considered STEM.
Like I said earlier you need to talk to people in the industry you want and ask their advice. However, myself and many other posters are questioning this degree. Here is why.
What does International Trade Degree teach? It sounds like it would be a bunch of classes in different subjects with international trade as the focus. Maybe an international marketing class, a conducting business in other countries class, international law, international finance, etc. The problem is this very broad and you will be taking a few classes in many different areas without understanding these areas. So you wont have any valuable skills.
I could be wrong here, and if you could find us a program you are interested in and show us the classes we could give better advice.
I think the issue is you think international trade requires special training. It is just taking useful skills and going international with them. You already possess an international trade skill, accounting. Debits and Credits and accounting concepts are universal. The standards and regulations of accounting change from country to country but the concept and the theory is the same. You could work in international business or organizations with accounting. For instance Grant Thorton pushes employees to work a year overseas. I have a friend who audits charities which takes him all over the world. International organizations need accountants.
You mentioned you dont like accounting, fair enough. Finance, supply chain, operations, programming, MIS, statistics, etc the same concept applies. The way to do these jobs doesnt change when you cross an invisible line on a map.
You need useful skills and these skills can be used for international trade. So I would recommend you find out what degrees are in demand and can get you the job you want. After that work start working and maybe get a International MBA.
The degree is just a piece of paper, it is the skills company want.
OP, does your geography program have courses in international development? That could be useful. If you're going in the direction of international business, trade, finance, some background (including an internship with a non-profit) in International Development could really come in handy. Also, a course in Economic Develpment. Trade and economic development go hand-in-hand.
In terms of future employment goals, I would like to be an Import-Export Manager or an International Trade Specialist. What do you think is the fastest route to those jobs?
There is no such job, as far as I know. Where did you hear about this? Corporations usually aren't organized in such a way that one person would manage imports and exports. There might be some kind of CEO or someone on the business end involved with oversight of the balance sheet in connection with imports and exports, but you'd need a business background for a job like that.
You might begin researching non-profit organizations to see where you might be useful. There are all kinds of non-profits out there working around the world. There are also watchdog organizations that keep an eye on IMF policy and World Bank projects, for example, monitoring for human rights issues, ill-conceived projects that benefit only the rich in the target country, etc. Organizations like that need analysts, people who know geography and culture as well as economics.
Here's info regarding internships at the UN Development Program. This will give you an idea of the kind of background you'd need to have to get a job in this field. It seems like what you're lacking is real-world info about what jobs are out there and what type of education they require. You've conjured this dream of "International Trade Specialist" and the like, but no such position exists anywhere, it doesn't connect to real-world jobs.
Can you give me a list of common job titles associated with International Trade? If it's not too much to ask for
Last edited by Guidance100; 05-18-2013 at 09:03 PM..
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