career opportunities for modern language majors - Valencia College

there is one question that career counselors and faculty advisors are asked more often than all
If
by students seeking assistance with career planning, it is this: “What can I do with this
others
An undergraduate student in the liberal arts and sciences is actually developing a broad
major?”
of skills that might be applied to any number of careers, rather than developing an in-depth
array
who major in a foreign language seek to improve their ability to communicate, to
Individuals
cultural awareness and sensitivity, to expand general knowledge and to promote more
develop
and tolerance for other cultures. Studying abroad offers students opportunities to
appreciation
language proficiency and explore another culture beyond the realm of the classroom.
expand
exist both for students fluent in a language and students who wish to combine a
Opportunities
level of foreign language proficiency with another area of skill and expertise.
lesser
Research skills
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Understanding of symbol formation
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Analyzing content
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Gathering information
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Summarizing ˜
Comparing ideas/translations
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Memorizing ˜
Project development and follow through
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Perception of word patterns and structures
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Reading ˜
Understanding ideas
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Reading for tone and attitude
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Interpreting difficult/incomprehensive language
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Flexibility/adaptability
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Clarifying others’ thoughts and ideas
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Weighing values
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Verbal & written communication skills
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Translating ideas/languages
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Explaining other cultures
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Speaking to groups
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Writing clearly
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Composing and expressing thoughts
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Rewriting and editing skills
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Interpersonal skills
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We
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Career
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
FOR MODERN LANGUAGE MAJORS
expertise in just one area.
Therefore, a better question to pose might be: “What skills am I
developing in my major, and how might I explore careers that would require these skills?”
Skills and Abilities
˜ Understanding other cultures
˜ Sensitivity to others

and Industry
Business
Commercial Attache
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Export/Import Representative
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Foreign Credit Manager
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Foreign Purchasing Agent
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Overseas Hotel Manager
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Travel Agent/Tour Guide
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International Lawyer
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International Banker
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Market Researcher
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International Consultant
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Airline Representative
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Sales/Marketing Representative
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Marketing Analyst
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Human Resource Specialist
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Assistant Production Manager
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Book Dealer ˜
Insurance Representative
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Computer Programmer
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Trade Analyst
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Buyer ˜
Operations Supervisor
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Publisher/Editor
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Technical Writer
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Translator ˜
Interpreter ˜
Foreign Correspondent
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Overseas Broadcaster
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Advertising Specialist
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Technical Writer
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Advertising Assistant
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Journalist ˜
Public Relations
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Public Opinion Analyst
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Publisher/Editor
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Radio Announcer
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Audio-Visual Specialist
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Museum/Tour Guide
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and Education
Service
Secondary Language Teacher
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University Teacher/Researcher
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English as a Second Language Teacher
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Linguist ˜
Social Worker
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Civil Servant ˜
Library Science Personnel
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Public Health Worker
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Management Trainee (non-profit org.)
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Clergy ˜
Criminal Investigator
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Peace Corps Volunteer
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Legal Advocate
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Services i UW-River Falls i 24 East Hathorn i 715-425-3572
Career
OCCUPATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
FOR MODERN LANGUAGE MAJORS
This list is just a sampling of the occupations available to modern language majors.
Government
Customs Inspector
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Embassy Personnel
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Foreign Service Representative
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U.S. Information Agency Program Specialist
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Foreign Exchange Clerk
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Immigration Inspector
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Intelligence Officer
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National Security Agency Representative
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United Nations Agency Guide
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Civil Service Representative
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Diplomat ˜
Communication

careers is a time-consuming, but necessary process. Waiting until graduation to
Researching
thinking about your career plans is as absurd as studying after you’ve taken your final
start
Visit Career & Counseling Services’ Career Resource Center
˜
on the Ground Floor of East Hathorn Hall)
(located
Visit the Chalmer Davee Library
˜
Browse the Internet, such as Career & Counseling Services’ Web Page
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Talk with Faculty and Alumni
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Join Professional Organizations
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Conduct Occupational Interviews
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Use Career & Counseling Services’ “Career Information Network”
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Job Shadowing
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Volunteer or part-time work
˜
˜ Internships are essential!
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We
Services i UW-River Falls i 24 East Hathorn i 715-425-3572
Career
RESEARCHING YOUR CAREER IDEAS
How do you find out what’s out there?
exams.
1. Written and On-line Resources:
(www.uwrf.edu/ccs)
2. People Resources:
˜ Consult Employer Directories and the Yellow Pages
3. Obtain Direct Experience:
Talk with your departmental faculty coordinator for
internship information.

an additional academic area of study to supplement your chosen language.
Choose
people with language skills use their abilities to assist them in a different
Most
related courses such as geography, history, civilization,
Study
relations, international law, and world economics.
foreign
the level of foreign language ability you will need to acquire for
Decide
in your career.
success
attending the Berlitz school (a school that teaches every foreign
Consider
and that is located all over the world), the Latin American
language
to a foreign country or study abroad in international exchange
Travel
to learn different cultures. Contact the Office of International
programs
and practice your language skills by reading international
Study
magazines, and books.
newspapers,
your language skills to churches, community organizations,
Volunteer
programs that work with people who speak your target language.
and
in summer internships, programs, and co-ops to improve
Participate
skills. your
professional associations and read their publications to find
Contact
about job opportunities.
out
Build Success
We
Services i UW-River Falls i 24 East Hathorn i 715-425-3572
Career
Suggestions to Enhance Your Skills
˜
career field.
˜
Decide and choose which language is necessary for your career.
˜
˜
˜
Institute, or the School of Languages and Linguistics in Washington, DC.
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Programs to find out more.
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Watch foreign movies and listen to international broadcasts to help remain fluent.
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˜
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Become a pen pal with a correspondent from a foreign country.
˜
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Look through newspaper want-ads to get an idea of jobs that require a foreign language.
˜

& Counseling Services’ Career Resource Center is open every day from 8:00 AM to 4:30
Career
we are also open until 7:00 PM Thursday evenings. The following books in our Resource
PM;
Build Success
We
Services i UW-River Falls i 24 East Hathorn i 715-425-3572
Career
Career & Counseling Services’ Career
Resource Center
(Ground Floor, East Hathorn Hall)
Center may be of particular interest to students majoring in Languages:
Opportunities in Foreign Language Careers
˜
Careers For Foreign Language Aficinados and Other Multilingual Types
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Opportunities for Travel Buffs and Other Restless Types
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Great Jobs for Foreign Language Majors
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Opportunities in Travel Careers
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Nikkel Placement Guide International
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US West Export Yellow Pages
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US West North American Expert Pages
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Complete Guide to International Jobs and Careers
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International Business Practices
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Teaching English Abroad
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World Chamber of Commerce Directory
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Staffing Europe
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At Home in the World-The Peace Corps Story
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Opportunities in Overseas Careers
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Vacation Works Overseas Summer Jobs
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Careers for Culture Lovers and Other Artsy Types
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Careers in Government
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John Douglas's Guide to Careers in the FBI
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Careers and the Study of Political Science
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1994-1995 Work, Study, Travel Abroad
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The Hong Kong Employment Guide for 91-92 Graduates of Overseas Universities
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Careers in International Affairs
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Guide to Careers in World Affairs
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Almanac of International Jobs and Careers
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Jobs Worldwide
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International Jobs Directory
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Directory of American Firms Operating in Foreign Countries
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Opportunities in International Business Careers
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