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Career Opportunities with a Major in Modern Languages


 

 

Heather is a self-employed American sign language interpreter in Pittsburgh, PA. She not only translates spoken word into sign language but also "voices" for the deaf.


Many jobs require a college educated individual. College graduates can use their education in a wide variety of occupations.


Foreign Language graduates have a variety of career options in both the public and private sectors. Most professionals who deal with the public, such as teachers, law enforcement agents and social services professionals, benefit from having foreign language knowledge, especially when these professionals serve foreign language speaking communities. Additionally, multi-national corporations increasingly need employees with foreign language skills to process documents and work as translators. With a major in Modern Foreign Languages individuals have the ability to communicate, develop cultural awareness and sensitivity, expand general knowledge and promote more appreciation for other cultures. Proficiency in more than one language is becoming an increasingly valuable skill and enhances one's occupational possibilities.

Skills Related to Modern Languages

  • Ability to read and write articulately and analytically

  • Comprehensive command of grammar and vocabulary

  • Good listening, clarifying, questioning, and responding skills

  • Ability to practice for long periods of time

  • Ability to organize and memorize detailed information

  • Proficiency in phonetics and ability to imitate sounds

  • Ability to think logically / quickly make analogies

Potential Careers Related to Modern Languages

Download Modern Language PDF

Download Spanish PDF 


The following list is a representative sample of job titles for individuals with a Modern Foreign Languages major. The list represents some, but certainly not all, careers which Modern Foreign Languages majors may consider.

Some of these jobs also require education beyond a bachelor's degree.

Announcer Anthropologist Audiologist
Author Buyer Community Service Manager
Criminal investigator Customs Inspector Diplomat
Foreign Language Teacher Foreign News Correspondent Foreign Service Officer
Foreign Student Advisor Health Administrator Historian
Hotel Manager Human Resources Director Immigration Inspector
Import / Export Clerk International Relations Director Interpreter
Journalist Language instructor Librarian
Linguist Missionary Speech Pathologist 
Technical Writer Textbook Publisher Tour Guide
Translator Travel Agent  

 
Employers in Modern Languages

  • Magazines

  • Newspapers

  • Museums

  • Professional journals

  • Hotel chains

  • International service organizations

  • Labor unions

  • Public relations firms

  • United Nations

  • Banks/Investment firms

  • Law firms

  • U.S. Immigration Service

  • International airlines

  • Military services

  • Foreign language textbook publishers

  • Colleges/Universities

  • Transportation agencies

  • Libraries

  • International trade organizations

  • Non-profit organizations

  • U.S. Travel Service

  
Professional Organizations in the Field

Websites Related to Modern Languages

 

The above information is collected from alumni surveys of numerous colleges, professional associations, and multiple print and online resources.


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