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Foreign Languages

French, German, Italian, & Spanish

Occupational Possibilities

Study of language and literature enhances the ability to understand and communicate with people of other nations and cultures, in addition to developing proficiency in reading, writing, and oral expression. Graduates of the program are prepared for graduate or professional study in business, law, or liberal arts disciplines.

For some of the occupations listed below, such as criminologist, additional skills and/or related training are desirable. Additional graduate study is generally expected for those occupations marked with a * on the following list.

Business

  • Economist
  • Insurance adjuster
  • Technical writer, corporate publications
  • International marketing analyst
  • District sales manager
  • Staff human relations training coordinator
  • Management consultant
  • Customer support specialist
  • *Patent attorney
  • Technical translator
  • Overseas representative
  • Travel planner
  • Bank administrator
  • Hotel manager

Government and Public Sector

  • Volunteer recruiter, Peace Corps
  • *Social science analyst
  • International education specialist, Agency for International Development
  • *Securities examiner
  • Criminologist
  • Mediator trainee
  • Translator/interpreter
  • Customs inspector
  • Import specialist
  • International relations officer, Commerce Department
  • National Security Agency linguist/analyst
  • Foreign Service officer, Department of State


Health and Human Services

  • Director, health and human resources
  • *International health care systems analyst
  • *Counseling psychologist
  • *Psychiatrist
  • *Physician
  • Cataloger
  • Laboratory technician
  • *Science information research specialist
  • Director, international airport visitors center
  • Youth program leader
  • *Bioengineer

Education and Communications

  • Exchange student
  • Conservator
  • Teacher
  • *Professor
  • *Librarian
  • *Guidance counselor
  • *Intellectual properties attorney
  • Coordinator, cultural arts center
  • Publisher, foreign language books
  • *Foreign film distributor
  • Guidebook writer
  • Abstractor
  • Editor of foreign publications

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Skills and Abilities

Study of language and literature enhances the ability to understand and communicate with people of other nations and cultures through development of language fluency and the knowledge of the practices and customs of other countries. Abilities such as communicating in another language, adapting to cultural diversity, and reading critically prepare graduates for numerous careers in our expanding global society. For example, the ability to communicate ideas and adapt to cultural diversity may be useful to a market analyst interpreting international strategies, or to a travel consultant arranging a tour for a professional organization. A sampling of representative skills and abilities follows.

Communication

  • Speaking to groups
  • Reading/writing another language
  • Reporting and editing
  • Clarifying ideas
  • Writing clearly
  • Reading for content and structure
  • Understanding historical language change
  • Explaining complex concepts
  • Communicating between cultures

Analysis

  • Reading critically
  • Interpreting data
  • Assessing needs
  • Evaluating information
  • Comparing translations/interpretations
  • Weighing values
  • Evaluating evidence

Research

  • Working with original sources in many fields (e.g.,philosophy, history, art, music, and natural sciences)
  • Gathering information
  • Designing instruments
  • Organizing materials/information
  • Establishing hypotheses
  • Summarizing ideas
  • Compiling/recording data
  • Working with research subjects
  • Evaluating results

Interpersonal Skills

  • Collaborating as part of a team
  • Understanding cultural diversity
  • Determining the needs of others
  • Acknowledging value systems
  • Adapting to other cultures
  • Listening carefully
  • Interviewing non-judgmentally


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Career Planning and Resources

Government Agencies that serve immigrants or operate in other countries:

International service organizations and non-profits serving immigrants:

Colleges/Universities:

  • UCC Higher Ed Links - Look for Study Abroad Coordinators, International Student Coordinator Positions, English As A Second Language Departments (Many will require a Master's degree for professional positions but often they have administrative entry-level positions

Internships

Job Search

Professional Associations

For More Information

...about careers, graduate and professional schools, internships, professional associations, or job descriptions contact:

University Career Center
110 Burge Union
(785) 864-3624

For information about majors and concentrations in French:

French and Italian Department
2060 Wescoe Hall
(785) 864-4056

Germanic Languages and Literature Department
2080 Wescoe Hall
(785) 864-4803

Spanish and Portuguese Department
3062 Wescoe Hall
(785) 864-3851

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