What can I do with an Foreign Language major?

Areas	Employers	Strategies
U.S. GOVERNMENT
Air quality Translation/interpretation Teaching Linguistics Diplomacy Civil service Foreign service Immigration/naturalization Customs	Overseas dependents’ schools Overseas aid agencies Intelligence and law enforcement agencies The Foreign Service Armed forces Library of Congress United Nations Voice of America	Learn federal and state job application procedures Join armed forces as a way to get experience
ARTS, MEDIA, ENTERTAINMENT
Advertising Translation/interpretation Journalism/broadcasting Publishing/editing	Museums Foreign news agencies Book publishers Hotels, motels, restaurants TV networks/ radio stations Film companies	Learn about the customs and culture of the country in which your language of study is primarily spoken, possibly by spending time in that country Minor in journalism Read international newspapers to keep up with developments overseas
TRAVEL AND TOURISM
Translation/interpretation Airline services Hospitality industry	Tour companies Travel agencies Hotels, motels, restaurants Airlines/airports Cruise lines	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 Contact airline headquarters or call the Future Aviation Professionals of America (1-800-JET-JOBS) to find employment opportunities Plan to attend a travel school Develop organization and computer skills
INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE
Translation/interpretation Customs Banking Sales/customer services Consulting Imports/exports	Banks, finance-related institutions Import/export companies Foreign firms operating in the U.S. U.S. firms operating in foreign countries Retail/department stores Firms operating in areas of the U.S. with large “foreign” language speaking populations	Find out which companies do business with the countries in which your language of study is spoken Consult resources such as the Directory of Foreign Firms Operating in the U.S., Directory of American Firms Operating in Foreign Countries, and American Register of Exporters and Importers Supplement coursework with business classes
SCIENTIFIC & PROFESSIONAL
Computer science Engineering Law Medicine Library science	Corporate and research libraries School and public libraries Hospitals/laboratories Foreign firms operating in the U.S. U.S. firms operating in foreign countries	Develop strong oral and written communication skills Consider minor or double major in hard science or engineering Work on computer skills Read newspapers and magazines to keep up with world events Investigate law schools and M.L.S. programs (master’s degree in library science)
SERVICE AND EDUCATION
Translation/interpretation Teaching Educational administration Linguistics Civil service Social work Library science Health services	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	Learn state licensure process for 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 Investigate teaching English in another country Plan to get a graduate degree to teach in colleges or universities Get experience by becoming a teaching assistant or teacher’s aide Be familiar with cultural base of your language (literature, art, politics, etc.) as well as with cultural traditions Plan to take both written and oral examinations to become an interpreter 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 the ability to assist them in a different field.
Supplement your foreign language major with related courses in geography, history, civilization, anthropology, foreign relations, international law, and world economics.
Travel to foreign countries or study abroad to learn different cultures.
Study and practice your foreign language skills by reading foreign newspapers, magazines and books.

Foreign Language HomePage

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
Portions reproduced with permission from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
CLA Advisement Center; Spring Semester 2001