Foreign Language Major Careers

Area

Employer

Information/Strategies

Government

• 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
• Homeland Security including:
  • US Customs and Border Patrol
  • US Citizenship and Immigration Services
• Department of Defense including:
  • US Armed Forces
  • National Guard
  • National Security Agency
• Department of Commerce
• Agency for International Development (USAID)
• Peace Corps, VISTA, Americorps
• Library of Congress
• Voice of America
• US District Courts

• The government is one of the largest employers of people with foreign language skills. Consider studying a critical need language for the greatest number of opportunities.
• Complete an internship with a federal agency and maintain a high gpa to be a more competitive candidate.
• Learn government job application procedures. Plan to apply early and inquire frequently about job vacancies.
• Review special hiring authorizations to be hired and to advance more quickly.
• Participate in campus organizations and activities that promote interaction with international students.
• Attend a specialized school that teaches foreign languages for additional training.
• Live abroad and gain knowledge of politics and economics to prepare for a career in this field.
• Increase knowledge of geography, history, and international affairs.
• Join the armed forces as a way to get experience.
• Consider earning a graduate degree for more job opportunities.

Industry and Commerce

• Banks and financial institutions
• Import/Export companies
• International companies including:
  • Foreign firms operating in the US
  • US firms operating in foreign countries
• Manufacturers
• Retail stores
• Environmental firms
• Consulting agencies
• Sports organizations
• Telecommunications companies
• Computer and software firms
• Advertising agencies
• Professional associations
• Law firms

• Supplement coursework with business classes or earn a business minor.
• Develop international competency by living and working abroad and by interacting with international students on campus.
• Get involved in student organizations and seek leadership roles.
• Research 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.
• Some jobs will require graduate degrees in fields such as business, law, or related areas.

Travel and Tourism

• Tour and excursion companies
• Travel agencies
• Hotels/Motels
• Resorts
• Restaurants
• Airlines/Airports
• Cruise lines
• Railroads
• Bus lines
• Convention centers
• Chambers of commerce

• Take courses in hotel/restaurant administration or recreation and tourism management.
• Get a part-time job in a hotel or restaurant to gain experience.
• Spend some time abroad to learn about various cultures and traditions.
• Brush up on your knowledge of geography.
• Consider attending a travel and tourism school.
• Develop office skills such as working with computers.
• Show an attention to detail.
• Read international newspapers to keep up with overseas developments.

Interpretation/Translation

• Freelance
• Educational services
• Business services
• Government agencies
• Healthcare organizations
• International organizations
• Nonprofit and social service organizations
• Courts
• Publishers
• Libraries

• Develop fluency in a second language. Seek out any opportunity to converse with native speakers to better learn the language.
• Learn a third language for increased job opportunities. Some languages such as Middle Eastern or Asian ones are in more demand than others.
• Gain experience through internships or volunteering.
• Seek certification or accreditation from an interpretation/translation organization.
• Being bilingual does not automatically qualify one to serve as an interpreter or translator.
• Learn to listen to one language while speaking another at the same time.
• Develop aptitude with computers and the internet.
• Interpreters and translators who have expertise in a particular area such as law or medicine may find more opportunities.
• Develop skills in negotiation.
• Learn to work well under stress.
• Most people who work in this field freelance. Show ability, initiative and motivation as this is a very competitive field.

Service and Education

• K-12 schools, public and private
• Universities/Colleges
• Pre-schools
• Professional language schools
• English language institutes
• Overseas dependents’ schools
• Foreign study exchange programs
• Libraries
• Adult education programs
• Religious and volunteer organizations
• International organizations
• Law enforcement agencies
• Social service agencies
• Nonprofit organizations
• Hospitals

• Obtain state teacher licensure for K-12 teaching.
• Earn a graduate degree for college or university teaching opportunities.
• Develop superior written and oral communication skills in the English language including proper sentence structure and comprehensive vocabulary.
• Minor or double major in another subject that you could also teach.
• Get experience as a teaching assistant or tutor.
• Become familiar with the cultural base of your language (literature, art, politics, etc.) as well as with cultural traditions.
• Consider teaching English as a foreign language (overseas). Research courses and certifications for teaching English to non-native speakers.
• Volunteer with government programs such as VISTA or community programs such as ESL classes.
• Work abroad through volunteer programs or missions.
• Plan to take both written and oral examinations to become an interpreter.
• Notify local hospitals, schools, and chambers of commerce of your availability to translate or interpret for international visitors.
• Earn a graduate degree in a field of specialty, e.g. Student Affairs Administration, counseling, or law.

Arts, Media, Entertainment

• Museums
• Foreign news agencies
• Book publishers
• Newspapers
• Magazines
• TV networks
• Radio stations
• Film companies
• Recording companies
• internet media companies
• Advertising firms

• Learn about the customs and culture of the country in which your language of study is primarily spoken.
• Supplement coursework with related classes such journalism, photography, art, etc.
• Spend time studying or working abroad.
• Complete one or more internships in your field of interest.
• Work at campus and local newspapers or radio and television stations.
• Read international newspapers to keep up with developments overseas.
• Listen to foreign broadcasts.