Career Opportunities for Majors in Foreign Languages


Introduction

The study of foreign languages focuses on learning about the language, linguistics, literature, and culture of different regions throughout the world. The ability to speak another language fluently can be an asset in today's global world of work. Employment opportunities exist in many career fields and employment sectors for graduates with proficiency in a foreign language.

Foreign Language graduates pursue careers in business, education, government, and nonprofit organizations, and some pursue advanced degrees. Future career options may be determined not so much by the choice of your college major, but by your interests, skills, values, and types of work experiences acquired during college. Regardless of your career aspirations, increase your marketability to employers through internships, related work experience, good grades, advanced coursework, and involvement in campus activities. Many careers do not require a specific major, but rather a wide range of demonstrated skills, accomplishments, and related work experience while in school.



A Sample Of Related Occupations

Advertising Copywriter Flight Attendant Marketing/Sales Representative
Airport Staff Member Foreign Correspondent Peace Corps Worker
Archivist Foreign Film Specialist Proofreader
CIA/FBI Agent Foreign Student Advisor Public Health Administrator
College Professor Health Care Provider Public Relations Specialist
Columnist/Reporter Import/Export Specialist Radio/TV Announcer
Communications Specialist Intelligence Researcher Social Worker
Community Affairs Specialist International Conference Planner Teacher/Professor
Court Interpreter International Consutant Tour Guide
Cultural Affairs Officer International Trade Specialist Tour Organizer/Guide
Customer Service Rep Interpretor Translator
Customs/Immigration Officer Investment Banker Travel Agent
Editor/Writer Librarian UNESCO Official
Employee Relations Specialist Market Research Specialist

Types of Employers

Private & Nonprofit Organizations
Airlines/Airports Colleges/Universities Retail Stores
American Friends Service Consulting Firms School Systems
American Schools Abroad Hospitals Social Service Agencies
Amnesty Int'l. Hotels/Restaurants/Resorts Television/Radio Stations
Banks Int'l. Exchange Programs Travel Agencies
Book Publishers Libraries UNESCO
CARE, Inc Manufacturing Firms United Nations
Civic Organizations Newspapers/Magazines World Health Organization
Clinics Pan American Health Org. YMCA/YWCA
Government Agencies
Agency for Int'l. Development Foreign Commercial Service Office of Int'l. Affairs
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services Foreign Service Office of Int'l. Policy & Programs
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Homeland Security Office of Refugee Resettlement
Bureau of Int'l. Labor Affairs Immigration & Customs Enforcement Peace Corps/AmeriCorps
Bureau of Intelligence & Research Institute of Int'l. Education Radio Free Asia
CIA/FBI Institute of Peace Telecommunications Satellite Organization
Commission on International Religious Freedom Int'l Broadcasting Bureau U.S. Customs Service
Committee on Foreign Investments in the US Int'l. Trade Administration U.S. Department of State
Customs and Border Protection Inter-American Foundation U.S. Information Agency
Defense Intelligence Agency Library of Congress U.S. Trade and Development Agency
Department of Defense NJ Int'l. Trade Division Voice of America
Department of Education NJ Travel & Tourism Division Woodrow Wilson Int'l Center for Scholars
Drug Enforcement Administration National Endowment for the Humanities
Foreign Agricultural Service National Security Agency

Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates - First Jobs of Recent Graduates - Foreign Languages

Organization Job Title
Ketchum Public Relations Account Coordinator
Easter Seals Society ADL Staff
Hyatt Hotels Assistant Director of Marketing
Japan Exchange Assistant English Teacher
Princeton Survey Research Association Assistant Researcher
AT&T Network Systems Associate Promotion Specialist
Monmouth County Social Services Bilingual Counselor
NextSource Career Broker
Wella Corporation Communications Coordinator
Hyatt Hotels Corporate Management Trainee
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Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates - Jobs of Experienced Alumni - Foreign Languages

Lakewood Prep (MA French) Academic Dean
The City College of New York Adjunct Lecturer
Rutgers School of Law-Camden (JD) Adjunct Professor
Teradata Corporation Advisory Instructor
Public Defender's Off. (JD) Asst. Deputy Public Defender
IBM (JD) Attorney
Don & Sue, Inc. Author/Freelance Copywriter
NJ Savings Bank Branch Manager
Standard & Poor’s Business Analyst
Accel Partners Chief Financial Officer
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Graduate Schools Attended

Institution Degree Field
Cardiff University MA International Journalism
Fordham University PhD Clinical Psychology
Harvard University JD Law
Indiana University – Bloomington MBA Marketing
McGill University MBA Business
New England College of Optometry MD Optometry
New York University MA Digital Imaging & Design
New York University MA Speech Pathology & Audiology
New York University PhD French Literature
Rutgers University JD Law
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Additionally, you may: