What is international management?
International management trains you to analyze problems that have the added complexity of relating to cultures different from our own. This is an extremely important aspect of problem solving since few businesses operate solely within the confines of the United States or are unaffected by international events and activities.

What kinds of career choices can I expect?
Although it is unlikely upon graduation you will be offered a job in Paris, Copenhagen, Tokyo, or Rio de Janeiro, a program of study in international management will prepare you for such assignments in the future. These are usually given to those who have worked in a company or industry for some time and have gained experience with its product line. Initially, you could find yourself working for a small import/export firm, a freight forwarder (an organization that specializes in handling overseas shipments), the international department of a bank, or in the international division of a large multinational organization as a sales correspondent. You will also be qualified for the more traditional entry-level management positions such as management trainee, first line supervisor, or administrative assistant. You could also qualify for similar positions in the American offices of foreign firms. Once you have gained some work experience and begin seeking an international assignment, you will have an advantage over those who have had no previous training in language or multicultural disciplines.

What kinds of courses will take?
To prepare for a career in international management, you should develop your analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills. Therefore, you will be taking the core curriculum required of all College of Business students. This includes accounting, finance, psychology, sociology, quantitative methods, marketing, law, management, computer systems, and economics. All Shippensburg University students are also required to complete various general education requirements in history, communications, literature, and science. In addition, you will be required to become proficient in one foreign language and will study various world cultures and societies by taking courses in anthropology, geography, or international relations, as well as specialized international business courses. Management (B.S.B.A.) International Management Concentration

Why do I have to study a foreign language?
Although English is the universal business language, it is very important for American firms to recruit personnel competent in other languages to compete in world markets. You must be able to communicate with your firm's foreign personnel who might not speak English, and you must be able to live and operate in foreign environments. Obviously, you will not study every language in the world, but having mastered one or two languages will make it easier to learn others as the need arises and your career develops. It should be pointed out that almost all students in international management are completing a minor in their language with little or no extra course work. Some are also opting for a double major in the language. This would require an extension of your stay at Shippensburg, but it would give you a decided advantage over others competing for international positions.

Am I required to study abroad?
Although it is not a requirement, we strongly recommend that all international management students study or travel abroad. This will not only help you develop your language skills, but it will expose you to different cultures and will further develop your awareness of important cultural differences. On-campus resources are available to help you plan these activities. Scholarship money is available.

Can other business students take international management courses?
Yes. In fact, it would be to your advantage to take as many international management courses as possible since the more you know about international business, the more desirable and valuable you are as an employee. This also helps differentiate you from those students who have had little exposure to international concepts.

Where can I get more information?
Dr. Michael Coolsen, Chair
Department of Management and Marketing
224 Grove Hall Shippensburg University
1871 Old Main Drive Shippensburg, PA 17257-2299
717-477-1439
Fax: 717-477-4068
E-mail: mkcool@ship.edu

John L. Grove College of Business
717-477-1435
E-mail: business@ship.edu

The John L. Grove College of Business is accredited by the AACSB International

Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is focused on opportunity identification, enhancement, and realization to create value for all stakeholders. The point of view for all entrepreneurship ventures is the “owner”, but it has evolved beyond the classic start-up notion to include companies and organizations of all types and stages. The skills learned through an entrepreneurship major are vital for the success of any business large or small, public or private, corporate or not-for-profit, local or global.  While the entrepreneurship major will give a broad skill-set for business, it will also provide highly customized paths for success in very specific business systems including new ventures, franchises, corporate ventures, socially responsible companies, and family controlled enterprises. Students will learn to prepare for the challenges involved in new venture creation and small business management. The emphasis of this nationally accredited program is the recognition of opportunities and the conversion of new ideas into business plans with a focus on implementation. New business development, small business management, franchising, family business, and corporate entrepreneurship are all areas of study within this major. The program is designed to help people understand risk and develop an entrepreneurial perspective by overcoming challenges and achieving success.

General Management
General management skills are required in organizations of every size and kind. The concentration focuses on the acquisition of knowledge and skills that are necessary for accepting and exercising responsibility - for making decisions, understanding behavior, recognizing the relationship of the organization with its environment, and understanding available options. Because the general management program permits a high degree of flexibility in choice of electives, you can tailor a program of study that best fits your career interests whether they are in the service or manufacturing sector. You will be prepared to work in small, medium, and large organizations in either the public or private sector, in a wide range of functional areas. Currently the outlook is strong in areas involving total quality management (TQM) and international standards (ISO) programs. Internships are available to increase both your learning and employment opportunities. If graduate school is in your career plans, our accreditation by AACSB, is a plus.

Human Resource Management
The people aspect of business is a growing field both in employment opportunities and in salaries. The goals of human resource management are the efficient and effective utilization of human resources to achieve strategic organization objective while accomplishing individual goals. Human resource management encompasses personnel, labor and industrial relations, compensation and benefits, training and development, and legal issues. Students are afforded the opportunity of developing knowledge and skills in job analysis, human resource planning, recruiting, interviewing, training and development, law, labor relations, and continuous improvement. Graduates of the program begin their careers in the human resource departments of corporations, government agencies, unions, and other private and public organizations. They are employed as interviewers, recruiters, job analysts, grievance and arbitration specialists, negotiators, compensation specialists, safety directors, and training coordinators.

International Management
With an ever-increasing number of firms operating outside the boundaries of just one country, having an understanding on the culture, customs, religions, political systems, and language makes you extremely versatile in the global business environment. The international management program supplements the core business curriculum with courses that extend you knowledge of business, management, marketing, finance, and economics to the global arena while familiarizing you with various world cultures, religions, and societies. Proficiency in a foreign language is a requirement of the international management major. Although studying abroad is not a program requirement, it is strongly recommended that international management majors take advantage of study abroad opportunities to development their language skills and enhance their awareness of cultural and business practice differences. In addition to be qualified for entry-level position in US firms, our graduates have taken management trainee position in US subsidiaries of foreign firms such as BMW, Royal Dutch Shell, and Unilever. Graduates have begun their careers work for a small import/export firm, a freight forwarder, the international department of a bank, and as a sales correspondent in the international division of a large multinational corporation.