AREAS
GOVERNMENT
Translation/Interpretation
Journalism/Broadcasting
Linguistics
Diplomacy
Civil Service
Foreign Service
Immigration/Naturalization
Customs
Intelligence/Law Enforcement
EMPLOYERS
Federal government organizations including:
Overseas aid agencies
Intelligence and law enforcement agencies: Federal Bureau of Investigation,
Central Intelligence Agency, Drug Enforcement Administration
Department of State
Immigration and Naturalization Service
Customs Service
Library of Congress
Armed forces
Voice of America
STRATEGIES
Learn federal, state and local job application procedures. Plan to attend a
specialized school that teaches foreign languages. Join armed forces as a way
to get experience. The government is one of the largest employers of people
with foreign language skills.
AREAS
ARTS, MEDIA, ENTERTAINMENT
Advertising
Translation/Interpretation
Journalism/Broadcasting
Publishing/Editing
Public Relations
EMPLOYERS
Museums
Foreign news agencies
Book publishers
TV networks
Radio stations
Film companies
STRATEGIES
Learn about the customs and culture of the country in which your language of
study is primarily spoken. Spend time studying or working abroad. Read international
newspapers to keep up with developments overseas.
AREAS
INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE
Translation/Interpretation
Banking/Finance
Sales
Customer Services
Manufacturing
Engineering/Technical
Research
Operations Management
Consulting
Imports/Exports
Administrative Services
EMPLOYERS
Banks/Financial institutions
Import/Export companies
Foreign firms operating in the U.S.
American firms operating in foreign countries
Manufacturers
Retail stores
STRATEGIES
Supplement coursework with business classes. Gain experience through an internship
or work abroad program. Find out which companies do business with the countries
in which your language of study is spoken. Be prepared to start in a position
in the US working for a firm with an overseas presence. Very few entry-level
positions are available in international business.
AREAS
TRAVEL AND TOURISM
Translation/Interpretation
Airline Services
Management
Booking and Reservations
Travel Services/Guidance
EMPLOYERS
Tour and excursion companies
Travel agencies
Hotels/Motels
Resorts
Restaurants
Airlines/Airports
Cruise lines
Railroads
Bus lines
Convention Centers
STRATEGIES
Take courses in hotel/restaurant administration. Get a part-time job in a hotel
or restaurant to gain experience. Spend some time abroad to learn the traditions
of fine dining, wines, etc. Brush up on your knowledge of geography. 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.
AREAS
INTERPRETATION/TRANSLATION
Interpretation: Simultaneous , Consecutive, Conference, Escort/Guide, Judiciary
Translation: Literary, Localization, Medical
EMPLOYERS
Freelance
Educational services
Business services
Government agencies
Healthcare organizations
International organizations
Courts
Publishers
STRATEGIES
Develop a "near perfect" knowledge of a second language. Seek out
any opportunity to converse with native speakers to better learn the language.
Gain experience through internships or volunteering. Learn a third language
for great job opportunities. Develop aptitude with computers and the Internet.
Most people who work in this field freelance. Freelancers who have expertise
in a particular area such as law or medicine may find more opportunities. Seek
certification or accreditation from an interpretation/translation organization.
AREAS
SERVICE AND EDUCATION
Translation/Interpretation
Teaching
Educational Administration
Linguistics
Civil Service
Social Work
Mission Work
Library Science
Health Services
EMPLOYERS
Hospitals
Religious and volunteer organizations
International organizations
Law enforcement agencies
Social service agencies
Universities/Colleges
Pre-schools
K-12 schools
Professional language schools
English language institutes
Overseas dependents' schools
STRATEGIES
Obtain state teacher licensure for K-12 teaching. Develop superior written and
oral communication skills in the English language including proper sentence
structure and comprehensive vocabulary. Notify local hospitals, schools, and
chambers of commerce of your availability to translate or interpret for international
visitors. Minor or double major in another subject that you could also teach.
Consider teaching English in another country. Service and Education.
Obtain a graduate degree for college or university teaching opportunities. Get
experience by becoming a teaching assistant or tutor. 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 supplement the foreign language,
preferably one that requires a high degree of technical skill. Most people with
foreign language ability use those skills to assist them in a different career
field such as business, education, etc.
Related courses to study include geography, history, civilization, foreign
relations, international law, and world economics.
Decide and choose which language is necessary for your career. Decide the level
of foreign language ability you will need to acquire for success in your career.
Possible languages to study: Spanish, German, French, Russian, Japanese, Chinese,
Italian, Hebrew, Arabic and Portuguese.
Plan to attend a private language institute to learn additional languages and cultures.
Travel to a foreign country or study abroad in international exchange programs to learn different cultures.
Study and practice your foreign language skills by reading foreign newspapers, magazines and books.
Watch foreign movies and listen to foreign broadcasts to maintain your fluency.
Volunteer your language skills to churches, community organizations and programs that work with people who speak your target language.
Participate in summer programs, co-ops, and internships to improve your skills.
Pen pal with a correspondent from a foreign country.
Contact professional associations and read their publications to learn about job opportunities.
Research job postings on the Internet to get an idea of jobs in which knowledge of a foreign language is useful.
Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University
of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA
Employer