What entry level opportunities exist in International Business with a Latin American focus?
I anticipate graduating in May of 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management and an emphasis on Global Business. I also studied a fair amount of Spanish in college and spent a semester of study abroad in Mexico and thus would like to focus my career on Latin American countries (preferrably Mexico) and would perhaps even consider Spain. What is the best route for a recent college graduate to take if he or she wishes to pursue an international career as a long term goal? I realize that one always has to start small, but what is the best way to get one’s foot in the door in a position from which they can then move forward in a international company over time?
Tags: bachelor of arts, bachelor of arts degree, best route, college graduate, global business, international career, latin american countries, long term goal, Spain, study abroad in mexico
I would try sales distribution or import/export. Another possibility is business franchises. You can also try direct market penetration for a large company like P&G, or smaller targetted company like Sloan (bathroom fixtures).
It will be tough, as you are not a native. Most companies trying to business in a foreign area look for a local to penetrate the market…similar to if you are selling in Kentucky: You look for someone who is from the Blue Grass State.
Most companies doing business in South America are the larger ones. Smaller companies in the US tend to not dillute their strength outside the US, when the profit margins domestically are so high.
We export a lot of soda, snack food and tobacco.
Anyway, work in a direction you want to go…so you want to cover Latin America or Spain? What product lines do you think would be interesting to sell there – something you can get passionate about, and something they want or need???
Hopefully this helps. Contact companies, and find out who does what where…Financial services? Insurance? AIG does a ton of business in Asia. I don’t know what they do South of the Border. Oil industry? How much do they want the latest video game technolgy – What’s their access line?
You can also start really small and opt to live in an area and teach English as a second language – you can go down and get a feel for the local market and then begin some import/export by contacting local business owners and helping them…
Many options you have to figure out the best one. My suggestion is to network with people in your local parish and family and friends and their families and ask EVERYONE if they know anyone who does business in South America.
Who knows? Maybe you’ll be selling lots for dream homes – international real estate before the end of the year.
Good luck!