The global economy is important to US businesses and making the most of import and export education and training will give you access to this expanding economy. Import export training is essential for businesses to compete effectively and avoid costly and time-consuming errors by going it alone.

Export training makes sense when you consider that small- and medium-sized businesses account for 97% of US exports. Making the most of import and export education and training includes using US government resources at your disposal. The government is promoting international trade to US companies and is willing to work with them.

1. Export training and import training can be as simple as getting educated on compliance.

2. An import export career includes working with export trading companies, import/export merchandising — even export management for suppliers of products.

3. An export school or certificate program provides the information, learning and practice to begin an import export career.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider self-study or internships for export training

Self study and internship-based export and import training are relatively inexpensive but provide value-added learning opportunities.

I recommend: Import Export Help Center sells a self-study tool kit to learn the import export business. You can contact the publisher, free of charge for one year, with your questions. It contains 12 CD roms written for people without any export import experience.The American Association of Exporters and Importers provides college age students with opportunities to compete for internships which give hands-on experience in the import export realm.

Educate yourself with online export training

Online courses are a godsend to busy people who cannot attend school but want instruction. If you are working, these courses on import and exporting can be completed at your own pace.

I recommend: Export Classes USA provides online learning which will garner you certification and you will also earn continuing education credits if you decide on furthering your education. electronic Business School International has a much bigger choice of courses for import export learning, including e-international trade.

Get a degree in import and export education and training

Getting a degree or getting certified in import export gives you more than knowledge, it provides you with credentials that are an asset for business managers and import export job seekers.

I recommend: LA College International offers two degree programs in business management with core electives for a import export degree. You can earn an associate's degree in less than two years. The World Academy teaches newbies and experienced import export personnel. Its certification programs are not one-size-fits-all. Some programs are only for experienced import export managers, others for newbies.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Making the most of import and export education and training includes capitalizing on the resources and connections attached to programs or schools. Do these places provide career counseling or help with resumes?

Much of business today revolves around import and export activities. Besides the fact that most businesses rely on an international economy, international trade agreements, such as NAFTA, have changed the way we do business forever. If you're thinking about a first-time career or a career change, now's the time to get your import export education.

Keep these import training issues in mind when searching for import export education opportunities:

1. Most college business programs now incorporate international business and export training course work into their curriculums.

2. You can select an import export degree specialization when pursuing a variety of business degrees.

3. You can also get import and export education and training without going through a traditional degree program.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Complete export and import training online

One way to get the education you need to kick-start your import export career is through online training. Import export training online courses are flexible and fit into your busy schedule.

I recommend: Check out online schools for import and export education and training like Export Institute USA, an import export career training school that’s been in business since 1964. Study with professionals overseas where international trade first began with European schools, such as eBSI in Ireland and get a different cultural perspective on import export training.

Study for an import export degree through university learning

Many university and college business degree programs emphasize international business, including import and export education. Take advantage of programs in higher education schools near you and become an expert in the field of import and export.

I recommend: Through a special program, such as globalEdge at the Michigan State University, obtain your Certified Global Business Professional Credential. Get export training and import training through a business degree at other colleges and universities too, like the School of Business at City College of San Francisco. Find more information at university websites, such as The University of Alabama: Alabama International Trade Center. Beyer State University offers an International Trade Certificate Program where import and export education is covered as well.

Start your import export career with training on the job

Before trade schools and colleges began offering import export courses and certificate training, most people learned the trade business while on the job. Experience is the best way to learn. See if you can find an import export company willing to train and work with you while you're in school.

I recommend: Look for apprenticeships and internships with companies involved in import export or international business, such as Shell Oil. The U.S. Government also has internships available working with export assistance and trade promotion programs. Visit the U.S. Government Export Portal or call U.S. Department of Commerce, The Advocacy Center in Washington DC at (202) 482-3896 for more information.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Although some import export career internships are paid, many aren't, so be willing to work an unpaid internship for a few months just to get your foot in the door, network with professionals and gain valuable work experience. It will pay off in the long-run.

Do you want an import-export career or to import or export in your business? Importing and exporting are important in a global economy. Don't waste your time feeling your way through the process of importing or exporting. Learn about it first.

Import-export training will save you time and money in the long run. Import and export education and training basics is important if you are interested in an import-export career. Some programs require a GED, others will ask for a transcript. Some courses do not have academic requirements.

1. Import-export training is available on different levels from import and export compliance through studying international financing for import and export.

2. Programs and courses are available in schools, through business institutions and government agencies. See if you can get credit for work experience.

3. Take advantage of distance learning, online courses and programs, which are offered by many instructional institutions.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look to the US government for import and export training and information

If you don't know much about import export careers or training, get abreast of these topics by looking at the US government's take on the global economy and see if import export business is a part of your future.

I recommend: Business.gov is recommended for small business owners; however, it works equally well as an introduction to the import export market and what's in it for small businesses. The International Trade Administration's business is to promote trade. It offers training for businesses investing in the global economy and can supply information on import export matters.

Check out certification programs for import export education

Certification is not a degree but it will give you expertise in a particular area of import export. In general certification proves that you have mastered a particular area.

I recommend: The International Import-Export Institute offers online certification programs in several areas of import exporting training. Richland College's international business program gives certification in import export. Although it's located in Texas, see if you can take the course online.

Consider a degree from an export school

There are institutions that concentrate only on business courses and offer programs in international commerce, import training and export training. Specifically designed courses for executives and managers take into account the life and business experience of their students and teach the program accordingly.

I recommend: The International Business Institute of the University of St. Louis provides courses that are more in-depth than other certificate programs, including the area of international marketing. BPE is an educational company which focuses on programs for executives. It offers two programs, one in import compliance and the other in export compliance. Its programs are reasonably priced.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Import and export education and training basics will help you refine exactly what you need to pursue to get the appropriate value-laden education you want for your career or business.

If you're ready to start your import and export education and training, you may be confused about all the different types of certifications, degrees and programs available. While there is no set requirement for getting a job in the import and export business, there are organizations and certifications that will help you get a job. Look for training programs through established organizations, such as the American Association of Exporters and Importers. Learn the following terms to help you with your training.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Certified Global Business Professional

Becoming a Certified Global Business Professional ensures that you have the skills you need to work internationally. To earn this certification, you must be trained in all aspects of international business, meaning that you will have more knowledge than many people.

I recommend: Learn about the NASBITE CGBP program through their website.

International trade certification

International trade certification is offered by the International Import-Export Institute. To earn this, you will train in a special field, such as documentation or trade logistics.

I recommend: Learn more about the international trade certification programs at the International Import-Export Institute.

A Basic Guide to Exporting

'A Basic Guide to Exporting' is a publication produced by the U.S. government that has been helping people learn about the export business for over 70 years.

I recommend: Read some sample chapters at the Export.gov website.

American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI)

The American Association of Exporters and Importers is a network of professionals in the import and export business. They offer a yearly conference with many training opportunities.

I recommend: Learn more about the conference from the AAEI website.

International business major

If you're interested in getting a traditional college degree, it's a good idea to become an international business major. If your college does not offer this specific degree, look for a business administration degree with a specialization in international business or trade.

I recommend: WorldWideLearn discusses international business majors.

Targeted Export Assistance and Management (TEAM) Training Program

The Targeted Export Assistance and Management (TEAM) Training Program is a hands-on apprenticeship program offered by the University of Alabama. Apprenticeships or internships are a great opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the business.

I recommend: Learn more about the TEAM Training Program from the University of Alabama.