In an increasingly globalized and competitive job market, international experience has become a decisive factor for professional development and corporate leadership. Living, studying, or working abroad is no longer just an add-on to the résumé: it is a professional accelerator that differentiates those who reach strategic roles from those who occupy operational positions.
Studies support this trend. According to recent data from the EY 2025 Mobility Reimagined Survey, 48% of employers worldwide say they have trouble finding the talent they need, and 74% report that filling senior roles can take more than a year, underscoring the importance of mobility as a strategic tool to address global talent shortages.
Moreover, 85% of professionals believe that international assignments are transformative for their careers, and companies that embed mobility within their strategy are more than twice as likely to experience revenue growth of at least 10%. The Managing Mobility Survey 2025 from ECA International reveals that 36% of companies consider international assignments critical for business growth, not merely an administrative function.
This gap shows that the challenge is not only to create jobs, but to train professionals with global and strategic competencies, including international experience.
Exposure to multicultural environments allows professionals to develop a global perspective, adaptability and key competencies such as intercultural negotiation, managing diverse teams and strategic thinking. These skills are essential to navigate complex markets, drive innovation, and generate high-value opportunities in organizations with an international footprint.
Three key strategies to develop a competitive international profile
According to specialists at TBS Education-Barcelona, building a high-impact international profile requires three pillars:
- Acquire genuine international experience. Academic stays, internships, or projects abroad enable you to develop intercultural competencies, broaden perspectives and accelerate access to strategic positions.
- Develop global leadership skills. Working in multicultural teams enhances communication, empathy, decision-making, and the management of diversity—skills highly demanded by international companies.
- Build an international network of contacts. Developing professional relationships in different countries opens doors to international job opportunities and strengthens employability in the medium and long term.
“Academic institutions must provide a comprehensive education that meets the real needs of businesses. It is not enough to train technicians: we must train professionals with a global mindset, strategic vision, and adaptability. That is the profile today’s market demands,” says Jaime García-Rebollo, head of Admissions and Development at TBS Education-Barcelona.
