To compete in a global environment, firms need people with the appropriate international knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA). Undergraduate international business (IB) majors may not be taught the specific KSA that match those business needs. This study surveyed the most active international companies in Minnesota (USA) that had recently hired new employees into IB positions. Top hiring requirements were general skills followed by five specific IB-related KSA: direct sales (exporting/distributorships); importing (sourcing/purchasing); global sales contracts/negotiations; global transportation/logistics, and strategic planning. Business needs for IB-related KSA differ from the content of typical textbook-guided IB courses taught at colleges and universities, the implication being that more practical aspects of day-to-day operations of firms engaged in IB should be included in the curriculum. (Contains 1 figure and 7 tables.)