How a global business degree can get you a job in the U.S.

When people hear the words “global business degree,” they often picture a career that will take them far from home: living abroad, working in foreign offices, or spending months on international assignments. While those opportunities do exist, there’s a bigger, often overlooked truth: The skills you gain by studying global management are just as valuable, and increasingly essential, right here in the United States.

As Angelique Smith, director of the Career Management Center at Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, explains:

“U.S. employers value professionals who can lead diverse teams, analyze data, and think strategically to solve complex business challenges. Skills like cross-cultural communication, project management, global market awareness, and adaptability are highly sought after.”

Companies of every size operate across borders in ways that touch nearly every aspect of business, whether they realize it or not. From a local manufacturer sourcing parts overseas to a small startup serving multicultural customer bases or a national brand competing with global players, organizations need employees who can bring the world’s best ideas home and make them work here.

Why global skills matter on local teams

So, what can you do with a global business degree if you plan to build your career at home? More than you might think.

A background in global management gives graduates a strong toolkit for tackling challenges that go far beyond international borders. “These competencies improve collaboration, innovation, and productivity and make it easier for employees to navigate international business situations and relationships, even in domestic roles,” Smith said.

Put simply, skills that global companies need are the same ones that help local businesses thrive. Cross-cultural communication, adaptability, and global market awareness help employees connect with customers and coworkers from all walks of life. Strategic thinking and comfort with complexity prepare graduates to take on big-picture challenges, whether it’s managing supply chain disruptions or finding new opportunities in a changing economy.

These global skills are more than just nice to have. They’re a competitive edge in a world where companies need to be ready for anything.

U.S. industries that prize a global mindset

Smith pointed out that a wide range of industries benefit from employees who understand how to think globally and act locally.

“There are many industries and job roles in the U.S. that benefit from having employees with a global business background,” Smith said. “Technology, consumer goods and services, finance, consulting, and logistics or supply chain all have strong global ties.”

In technology, for instance, teams often collaborate with colleagues and customers around the world. Products designed for one market are sold globally, requiring professionals who can adjust strategies, understand cultural preferences, and communicate effectively across borders.

In marketing, a global mindset helps professionals develop campaigns that resonate with increasingly diverse U.S. audiences. Brand managers, market researchers, and digital marketers need to understand cultural nuance to build trust and drive results.

Finance is deeply tied to global economic shifts, currency fluctuations, and international regulations. Financial professionals monitor foreign investments, assess risks, and keep clients informed about global trends that affect local markets.

Consulting is another area where global management skills are invaluable. “Consultants work with U.S. clients who operate globally or are seeking advice on how to expand to global markets,” Smith said. “Having staff who can advise on international mergers, market expansion, global workforce challenges, and overall global strategy are huge assets.”

Even logistics and supply chain professionals must understand tariffs, customs, and sourcing across borders. “An understanding of international trade can help employees navigate tariffs, customs, and global sourcing,” Smith said.

Leading locally, thinking globally

A global business degree also shapes graduates into leaders who are prepared for an increasingly complex business landscape, without ever needing to move abroad.

“In today’s U.S. workforce, having employees who have a broad understanding of different cultures, norms, viewpoints, and preferences is a strength,” Smith said. “A global business degree prepares students for each of these.”

This global perspective is built into the curriculum at Thunderbird. Students work on multicultural teams, tackle real-world global projects, adapt their communication styles, and learn to lead with empathy and cultural sensitivity. The result? They’re better prepared to work with diverse teams and deliver strong solutions.

Global education also develops the kind of leadership qualities every employer values: agility, strategic thinking, and the ability to handle ambiguity.

“Global business education builds leaders who are empathetic, agile, strategic, and culturally sensitive,” Smith says. “Through dynamic courses and real-world projects, it trains students to lead cross-functionally, perform during uncertainty, and make data-driven decisions with broad impact.”

These leadership qualities are just as critical for local organizations as they are for multinational corporations.

‘Global’ doesn’t mean you have to move abroad

One of the biggest misconceptions Smith hears from students is that “global” automatically means living overseas.

“The world is interconnected, so global business is for everyone,” she said.

A role in global business could mean frequent international travel, working with clients in different countries, or collaborating with global teams, often from your office at home. Even startups and local nonprofits now benefit from employees who bring a global perspective to everyday operations, outreach, and problem-solving.

How to position yourself for U.S.-based roles

Smith encourages students to confidently connect their global mindset to the value they offer U.S.-based employers.

“Students should highlight how their global mindset enhances collaboration, innovation, and helps to drive business results,” she said.

The best way to do that? Be clear and concrete. Showcase relevant experiences, such as global consulting projects, internships, diverse team leadership, or analyzing international trends for local solutions.

“Students should get very good at articulating how experiences and learnings translate from school to real work,” Smith said. “For example, describing how they led a class project with diverse team members, adapted strategies for multicultural clients or colleagues, or solved local challenges using insights from global trends.”

Thunderbird can help jump-start your career in the U.S.

So, what can you do with a global business degree? Just about anything, right here at home.

A global perspective doesn’t limit you to international assignments. It opens doors to lead, innovate, and adapt wherever you choose to build your career. From Fortune 500 headquarters in New York to community nonprofits in Phoenix, employers are searching for people who bring global management skills and big-picture thinking to local challenges.

At Thunderbird, we see it every day: graduates using their global skills to make an impact, grow companies, and shape communities without ever needing to pack a suitcase. Get the global business skills you need right here at home, at Thunderbird.