Foreign Languages & International Studies Career Planning
There are two major areas for which the knowledge of a foreign language is important: the foreign language specialist, and other professions in which knowledge of foreign languages is a decided asset.
The Foreign Language Specialist
For the foreign language specialist, thorough training in a foreign language is indispensable. He or she translates, interprets, or teaches in one or more foreign languages. The specialist possesses and uses a knowledge of the literature, culture, and history of the country or minority community in which the language is used, so he or she is aware of aspects such as sociolinguistics and the effect of culture on language that go considerably beyond basic communication. Besides language teachers in educational institutions, language specialists are required in diplomatic and government service, the travel industry, and international business, just to mention a few.
Foreign Languages + Other Professions
In many other professions, knowledge of one or more foreign languages greatly enhances job qualifications. Many employers actively seek potential employees with second language skills since their company or organization constantly needs to communicate with speakers of other languages. Social services, health and medical services, business and trade, the travel industry, the legal profession and law enforcement are just a few examples of professions in which foreign language skills are actively sought out by employers. Many of our students have expressed their excitement at being able to use their language skills on the job.
What can I do with this degree pdf
Career Opportunities in Foreign Languages
The Arts
THE ARTS
- Artist
- International Art Dealer
- International Art Historian
- Musician
- Recording Specialist in Multilingual Music
- Singer - Multilingual
Business
BUSINESS
- Advertising Copywriter
- Advertising Manager
- Bilingual Clerks
- Business Executives
- Fashion Buyers
- Finance Director
- Financial Planning Associate
- Hotel Manager
- Importer/Exporter
- Income Tax Consultants
- International Account Manager
- International Agency Staff
- International Business Manager
- International Buyer
- International Consultant
- International Lawyer
- International Sales Representative
- International Trade Economist
- International Trade Specialist
- Market Researcher
- Multi-Lingual Port Receptionist
- Overseas Personnel Manager
- Overseas Plant Manager
- Paralegal
- Patent Attorneys
- Personnel Manager
- Production Supervisor
- Public Relations Expert
- Quality Control Supervisor
- Receptionists, Secretaries, and Sales Personnel
- Specialists for Import/Export firms
- Textbook Representative/Sales
- Transport Equipment Manager
- U.S. Representative for Foreign Companies
Church Work
CHURCH WORK
- Missionary
- Medical missions (Doctors/nurses)
- Bible Translators (Wycliffe)
- International vocational missionary
- Vocational missionary to US minority groups
Communications
COMMUNICATIONS
- Advertising for ethnic or foreign markets
- Editors for university and other presses
- Film production and entertainment media
- Filmmaker
- Foreign Correspondent
- Foreign News Photographer
- International Communications
- International Radio Correspondent
- International Telephone Operator
- International Teletype Operator
- International TV Correspondent
- Media Specialist
- Newspaper Correspondent, foreign desk
- Simultaneous Interpreter
- Translator of books, articles, and review
- "Voice of America" Writer/Editors
Education
EDUCATION
- Bilingual Educator
- Educators in special commercial schools (e.g. Berlitz)
- Elementary Teacher (Especially in bilingual programs)
- Foreign Student Advisor
- Overseas teaching for private corporations
- Overseas teaching for diplomats' families
- Professor
- TESO/ESL Teacher
- Textbook authors or editors
- University comparative literature departments
- University foreign language departments
- University foreign study offices
- University linguistics departments
- University schools of education
- University teaching of English as a Second Language
Finance
FINANCE
- Accountant in ethnic communities
- Bilingual Teller
- Banking Correspondent
- Bank Officer
- International Banking Officer
- International Finance Consultant
Government
GOVERNMENT
- Bilingual Staff in Federal Agencies (e.g. Social Security, Red Cross, etc.)
- Court Interpreter
- Cultural Attaché
- Cultural Officer
- Customs Official
- Customs/Immigration Officer
- Diplomatic Corps
- Foreign Consul
- Foreign Diplomat
- Foreign Exchange Trader
- Foreign Service Officer
- Foreign Service Peacekeeping
- Foreign Service Specialist
- Foreign Service Officer
- Intelligence Officer
- Intelligence Researcher
- Intelligence Specialist
- Interpreter
- Linguist
- National Security Agent
- Negotiator
- Peace Corps Volunteer
- Peace Corps Worker
- Representative
- U.S. Customs Agent
- U.S. Naturalization Service Agent
- U.S. Postal Service
- UNESCO Official
- VISTA Volunteer
Information Services
INFORMATION SERVICES
- Classifiers of foreign documents
- Copywriter
- Editor
- Librarian
- Library Acquisition Specialist
- Library Technician
- Publishing Specialist
- Research Librarian
- Translator of Foreign Publications in Libraries
Medicine
MEDICINE
- Botanical Medicine Specialist
- Doctors working with minority populations
- Emergency Medicine
- Health Services
- Hospital Management
- Hospital Admissions
- Laboratory Technician
- Nurses working with minority populations
- Nursing and Medicine in Ethnic Communities
- Pharmaceutical
- Studying or practicing medicine overseas
- Tropical Disease Specialist
Science
SCIENCE
- Archaeologist
- Museum Curator
- Researcher
- Scientific Interpreter
- Scientific Linguist
- Scientific research and translating
- Scientific Translator
- Technical liaison for U.S. businesses operating in a foreign country
Social Services
SOCIAL SERVICES
- Bilingual Police Officer
- Bilingual Social Worker
- Case Worker
- Civil Service Employee
- Court Interpreter
- Fire Fighter
- Foreign Social Worker
- Human Resources Director
- Immigration Counselor
- International Police Officer
- Law Enforcement Officer
- Multilingual Defense Attorneys
- Nursing in ethnic communities
- Public Assistance Interviewer
- Social Work Specialist
Travel Services
TRAVEL SERVICES
- Airline Flight Attendants
- Airport Personnel
- Foreign Travel Advisor
- Hotel and Resort Staff Manager
- International Conference Planner
- Restaurant Staff Manager
- Tourist Guide
- Travel Agent
- Travel Writer
Contact Us
Foreign Language & International Studies is part of the College of Arts & Sciences
501-279-4645
FAX: 501-279-4191