Foreign Languages
The study of foreign languages provides insight into the language, thought, and character of other cultures and is essential to an understanding of other parts of the world.
An education in foreign languages is vital preparation for a growing list of careers that extends beyond the options of translating, interpreting and teaching. Language is viewed as a valuable auxiliary skill which can be applied in such areas as banking, publishing, law, international trade, marketing, journalism, diplomacy, communications, library science, social services and travel and tourism.
Representative Job Titles and Areas of Specialization
| Bank Officer | Lawyer * | | Hotel Management | Public Administration | | Human Resources Management | Publishing | | Immigration Inspector | Social Security Representative | | Intelligence Analyst | Social Services | | International Trade | Social Worker | | Interpreter | Tourism | | Journalist * | Translator * |
* See Training section
Nature of the Work
With the growing involvement of the United States in international business and the increasingly multinational character of American society itself, the importance of foreign languages in nearly every kind of occupation is evident.
Language skills can be of particular value to business and industry. A Modern Language Association survey of American businesses operating overseas found that many companies give preference to candidates with foreign language skills when hiring new management personnel, provided other business experience and abilities are equal. It is, therefore, important that those language majors interested in international business design their studies to include business courses and experience.
Many different types of service organizations need people with language skills for work both in the United States and abroad. Again, language skills must accompany other skills--usually in the fields of social work, health care, or administration. For example, the American Friends Service Committee, the service agency of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), has centers in several countries which conduct institutes and seminars on world peace, arrange social welfare programs, and sponsor projects of technical assistance in such areas as housing, medicine, and agriculture. A worker must first be qualified in a particular professional skill--for example, as a teacher or medical assistant.
In the United States, state and local government service agencies, schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and community action programs all need bilingual or multilingual social work personnel, depending on the language groups present in the community.
Industries connected with travel and tourism are increasingly feeling the need for people who speak foreign languages. The United States Travel Service has developed a language certification program that certifies hotels with multilingual and bilingual personnel. A list of these hotels is distributed to foreign travel agents. Bilingual and multilingual personnel are placed in such "guest contact" positions as lobby manager, reservationist, concierge and banquet coordinator. While language skills are not a requirement for all hotel jobs, they are nearly always an advantage. Again, relevant coursework and experience would enhance those skills.
Interpreters and translators are employed everywhere in the world--by the United States and other governments, the United Nations, international conferences, trade councils, publishers, and many agencies involved in oral communication. Professional translators and interpreters need an exceptionally fluent command of English and at least one foreign language, a working knowledge of the subject matter of their material, close familiarity with the cultures represented, and a good writing style or pleasing voice.
Places of Employment
| Advertising agencies | Film industry | | Airlines | Hotels | | Banks | Insurance companies | | City, county and state government | International service organizations | | Federal government | Language institutes | | - Agency for International Development | Libraries | | - Central Intelligence Agency | Publishing companies | | - Department of Defense | Research and educational institutes | | - Department of State | Retailers | | - Federal Bureau of Investigation | Social service agencies | | - Immigration and Naturalization Service | United Nations | | - Peace Corps | Universities and colleges | | - United States Information Agency | |
Training
Many of the jobs and career areas listed above utilize language skills as a supplement to other business, technical or professional talents. Therefore, entry into many of these careers will be dependent upon the type of coursework completed and experience gained while in school. Those job titles designated by an asterisk generally require specific education and/or experience beyond the bachelor's degree.
Special training is usually required for translating and interpreting. Programs leading to degrees or certificates are available at a number of universities.
Students considering a career in teaching and research on the university level will need to pursue a doctorate.
For further information and/or career counseling contact the Career Center, Veitch Student Center, Northwest Wing, University of California, Riverside, 951.827.3631.
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