Careers in Languages

Linguists have played an important role during the course of history. In recent times, as the world has become a “global village” the importance of this role has increased manifold. The United Nations, foreign services and intelligence agencies of various countries are not the only employers of linguists anymore. Linguists are employed for business purposes as well. Multinational corporations, too, hire those with foreign language skills which in turn help them further expand commercial activities all over the globe.

Language Degrees
Generally, a language degree will provide training in language, linguistics, literature and culture. A degree in languages is intended to provide many types of intellectual, practical and transferrable skills. These include:

• Critical judgment and analysis skills
• Creative and imaginative approach to problem solving
• Engaging in discussions and arguments with the purpose of enhancing understanding of issues and their solutions
• Writing skills for a wide variety of audiences and contexts
• Gathering, organizing and disseminating information
• Using information to analyze and evaluate complex problems
• Structuring and communicating ideas effectively

Language Careers
Some obvious careers in languages include being a teacher, translator and interpreter. You may also take up a job that involves writing or editing.  Moreover, if you are passionate about travelling, a language degree may help you understand foreign cultures and seek a suitable job oversees. There are many careers like those in hotels and cruise lines, tourist guides and flight attendants that require knowledge of foreign languages. Similarly, language skills can prove to be invaluable for many jobs in the government sector. These include linguist specialists, official interpreters or foreign service officers.

Other Career Options and Benefits
A language degree may prove to be useful in generally enhancing your job prospects and making you more competitive in the job market. As a result, a lot of people who major in marketing, business, finance etc, take up a language as their minor area of study. There are many universities that offer language courses along with another major. In today's global business environment, a lot of companies have international presence and they seek to hire bilingual professionals so that they'll be in a position to effectively communicate and deal with international business partners and clients. Some instances where your language skills can be utilized include interviewing people and covering stories abroad as a journalist, organizing international sports events, working in international development charities with refugees, asylum seekers or the homeless and so on.

A language degree may thus make you more employable by indicating strong communication skills in native and foreign languages to prospective employers.  Therefore language graduates may have many career options to choose from.

Since language teachers are in short supply, there are many funding opportunities available for those who wish to pursue a degree in languages. You should therefore check all the state, local and institution specific scholarships options that you may be eligible for.