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FOREIGN LANGUAGE
What can I do with this degree?
AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES
U.S. GOVERNMENT
Translation/Interpretation Overseas dependents' schools Learn federal, state and local job application
Teaching Overseas aid agencies procedures.
Journalism/Broadcasting Intelligence and law enforcement agencies Plan to attend a specialized school that teaches
Linguistics The Foreign Service foreign languages.
Diplomacy Armed forces Join armed forces as a way to get experience.
Civil Service Library of Congress
Foreign Service United Nations
Immigration/Naturalization Voice of America
Armed Forces
Customs
ARTS, MEDIA, ENTERTAINMENT
Advertising Museums Learn about the customs and culture of the country
Translation/Interpretation Foreign news agencies in which your language of study is primarily
Journalism/Broadcasting Book publishers spoken, possibly by spending time in that country.
Publishing/Editing Hotels, motels, restaurants Read international newspapers to keep up with
TV networks/Radio stations developments overseas.
Film companies
INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE
Translation/Interpretation Banks, finance-related institutions Find out which companies do business with the
Customs Import/Export companies countries in which your language of study is
Banking Foreign firms operating in the U.S. spoken.
Secretarial Services American firms operating in foreign countries Consult resources such as the Directory of Foreign
Sales/Customer Services Manufacturers Firms Operating in the U.S., Directory of Ameri-
Manufacturing Retail/Department stores can Firms Operating in Foreign Countries, and
Market Research American Register of Exporters and Importers.
Consulting Supplement coursework with business classes.
Imports/Exports
(Foreign Language, Page 2)
AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES
TRAVEL AND TOURISM
Translation/Interpretation Tour companies Take courses in hotel/restaurant administration.
Airline Services Travel agencies Get a part-time job in a hotel or restaurant to gain
Hospitality Industry Hotels, motels, restaurants experience.
Airlines/Airports Spend some time abroad to learn the traditions of
Cruise lines fine dining, wines, etc.
Brush up on your knowledge of geography.
Contact airline headquarters or call the Future
Aviation Professionals of America (1-800-JET-
JOBS) to find employment opportunities.
Plan to attend a travel school.
Develop office skills such as typing, organizing and
working with computers.
Read international newspapers to keep up with
overseas developments.
SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL
Computer Science Corporate and research libraries Develop good oral and written communication skills.
Engineering School and public libraries Look into M.L.S. Programs (Master's degree in
Law Hospitals/Laboratories library science).
Medicine Foreign firms operating in the U.S. Develop clerical skills such as typing and organiz-
Library Science American firms operating in foreign countries ing.
Work on computer skills.
Read newspapers and magazines to keep up with
world events.
SERVICE AND EDUCATION
Translation/Interpretation Hospitals Learn state certification process for teaching.
Teaching Religious and volunteer organizations Develop superior written and oral communication
Educational Administration International organizations skills in the English language including proper
Linguistics Law enforcement agencies sentence structure and comprehensive
Civil Service Social service agencies vocabulary.
Social Work Universities/Colleges Notify local hospitals, schools and chambers of
Library Science Pre-schools commerce of your availability to translate or
Health Services K-12 schools interpret for international visitors.
Professional language schools Minor or double major in another subject that you
English language institutes could also teach.
Investigate teaching English in another country.
( Foreign Language, Page 3)
AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES
Service and Education, Continued
Plan to get a graduate degree to teach in colleges
or universities.
Get experience by becoming a teaching assistant or
teacher's aide.
Be familiar with the cultural base of your language
(literature, art, politics, etc.) as well as with
cultural traditions.
Specialize in an area of research.
Plan to take both written and oral examinations to
become an interpreter.
Get a part-time job teaching English as a second
language.
Volunteer with government programs such as
Peace Corps or VISTA.
GENERAL INFORMATION
• Choose an additional academic area of study to • Plan to attend a Berlitz School, a school that • Participate in summer programs, co-ops and
supplement the foreign language, preferably teaches every foreign language and that is internships to improve your skills.
one that requires a high degree of technical located all over the world, or the Latin Ameri- • Pen pal with a correspondent from a foreign
skill. Most people with foreign language can Institute or the School of Languages and country.
ability use the ability to assist them in a Linguistics in Washington, D.C.
• Contact professional associations and read their
different career field. • Travel to a foreign country or study abroad in publications to find out about job opportuni-
• Related courses to study include geography, international exchange programs to learn ties.
history, civilization, foreign relations, interna- different cultures.
• Look through newspaper want-ads to get an idea
tional law and world economics. • Study and practice your foreign language skills of jobs in which knowledge of a foreign
• Decide and choose which language is necessary by reading foreign newspapers, magazines language is useful.
for your career. Decide the level of foreign and books.
language ability you will need to acquire for • Watch foreign movies and listen to foreign
success in your career. Possible languages broadcasts to keep up your fluency.
to study: Spanish, German, French, Rus- • Volunteer your language skills to churches,
sian, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Hebrew, community organizations and programs that
Arabic and Portuguese. work with people who speak your target
language.
Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (1996)
UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer
