WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN...

LANGUAGES, LITERATURES &

CULTURESwww.sc.edu/career

lan·guage

A body of words and the systems for their use common to a people who are of the same community or nation, the same geographical area, or the same cultural tradition.*

*"language." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 27 Jul. 2009. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/language>.

lit·er·a·ture

A body of written works. The name has traditionally been applied to those imaginative works of poetry and prose distinguished by the intentions of their authors and the perceived aesthetic excellence of their execution. Literature may be classified according to a variety of systems, including language, national origin, historical period, genre, and subject matter.*

* literature. . © Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/literature (accessed: July 27, 2009).

>.

cul⋅ture

The sum of attitudes, customs, and beliefs that distinguishes one group of people from another. Culture is transmitted, through language, material objects, ritual, institutions, and art, from one generation to the next.*

* "Culture." The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2005. 27 Jul. 2009. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Culture>.

Language Majors Study

• To speak and write in one or more foreign languages

• Translation of foreign dialogue and text to and from English

• Foreign traditions and customs• Current events as they relate internationally • How to work with people from diverse

backgrounds

...And more

Language At The University Of South Carolina

Undergraduate OptionsDegrees: Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Majors: Classics, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian

Minors: Classical Studies, French, German, Italian, Ancient Greek Literature, Latin, Japanese

Language At The University Of South Carolina

Graduate Degrees

• Master of Arts (MA)

– Options in French, German and Spanish.

• Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)• Options in French, German and Spanish. • Prepares and certifies students for teaching in

public high schools.

Using Language In The Workplace

• Occupations can require the use of language as a primary or secondary skill.

• Language skills are of primary importance to careers associated with teaching, interpreting, and translating.

• Language can be used as a secondary skill with careers in business, industry, government, law, media, service, travel, and tourism, as well as others.

Employment Settings

• Business, Industry & Commerce• Education• Government & International Law

Enforcement• Interpreting & Translation• Media• Service• Travel & Tourism

Business, Industry, & Commerce

• Careers in the business sector can use knowledge of languages as a secondary skill.

• Skills developed from language study like writing and speaking clearly, data analysis, problem solving, organizing information, and collaboration are useful in business occupations.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Business &

Commerce

• Auditor• Banking Correspondent• Loan Officer• Contract Interpreter• Financial Planner• Finance Director• Foreign Exchange

Trader• Importer/Exporter

• International Account Manager

• International Banking Officer

• International Resort Manager

• Investment Analyst • Senior Credit Analyst• Trade Economist

Education• Careers in the business sector can use knowledge of

languages as a secondary skill. Careers in teaching can use knowledge of languages as a primary or secondary skill.

• The ability to communicate in a foreign language is important to educators teaching another language to English speakers, teaching English to foreign speakers, or working in areas where English is not a dominant language. Knowing how to explain complex concepts, clarify ideas, and relate to other cultures in also important.

• Skills developed from language study like writing and speaking clearly, data analysis, problem solving, organizing information, and collaboration are useful in business occupations.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Education

• Bilingual Educator• Child Services

Counselor• College and University

Professor (advance degree needed)

• Curriculum Developer• Elementary Teacher

• English as a Second Language Teacher

• Librarian • Overseas Instructor of

English• Peace Corp Cultural

Instructor• Secondary School

Language Teacher

Government & International Law Enforcement

• Careers in the government and law sectors can use knowledge of languages as a secondary skill.

• Language study skills like communicating clearly, problem solving, working with diverse groups, and explaining concepts, and communicating in foreign languages are useful in government and law enforcement careers.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Government & International Law Enforcement

• Administrator• Admissions Evaluator• Author/Writer• Career Counselor• College or University

Professor• Financial Aid Director• Guidance Counselor• Health Educator • Lecturer

• Primary School Teacher• Program Manager• Residence Hall Director• Secondary School

Teacher• Student Affairs

Professional • Text Writer• Medical Librarian

Interpreting & Translation

• Careers in interpreting and translation use knowledge of languages as a primary skill.

• The ability to speak, read, and write a foreign language is needed for careers in this area. It is also important that one can work with people from diverse cultures, read for content and structure, and listen carefully.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Interpreting &

Translation

• Advertising Agent• Air Traffic Controller• Conference Interpreter• Customs Officer• Foreign Exchange

Trader• Foreign Linguist• Immigration Officer• Import-Exporter

• International Banker • International Protocol

Specialist• Interpreting Guide• Language Specialist• Literary Translator• Negotiator • Judicial Translator• Precis Reporter

Media

• Careers in the media sector can use knowledge of languages as a secondary skill.

• Skills developed from language study like writing clearly, organizing information, speaking another language, clarifying ideas, and evaluating information are all useful in media related careers.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Media

• Art Dealer• Copywriter• Editor• Foreign Correspondent• Filmmaker• Journalist• Media Specialist

• Magazine Columnist• Musician• Performing Artist• Production Supervisor• Proofreader• Publisher• Radio/TV Announcer• Travel Writer

Service

• Careers in the service industry can use knowledge of languages as a secondary skill.

• Skills developed from language study like speaking another language, speaking to groups, collaborating as part of a team, working with people from diverse backgrounds, organizing information, and clarifying ideas are useful in service careers.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Service

• Bilingual Sales Clerk or Teller

• Bookkeeper• Civil Service Employee• Communications

Director• Interpretive Guide• Overseas Personnel

Manager

• Flight Attendant• Foreign Plant Manager• Pharmaceutical Sales

Representative • Production Supervisor• Social Worker• Transportation Manager• Quality Control

Specialist

Travel & Tourism

• Careers in the travel and tourism industries can use knowledge of languages as a secondary skill.

• Skills developed from language study like communicating clearly, speaking another language, organizing information, analyzing data, determining the needs of others, and working with people from diverse cultures are useful in travel and tourism careers.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Travel &

Tourism• Advertising Manager• Cruise Director• Cultural Attaché • Flight Attendant• Foreign Travel

Consultant• International

Conference Planner• International Hotel

Administrator

• Interpretive Guide • Missionary• Peace Corp Volunteer• Protocol Specialist• Resort Manager• Travel Agent• Travel Writer• Tour Organizer

Language Degrees Students Develop Skills In

• Speaking to groups• Clarifying ideas• Understanding historical

language change• Reading critically• Evaluating information• Comparing translations

and interpretations

• Working with original sources

• Summarizing ideas• Evaluating results• Determining the needs

of others• Listening carefully• Reading/writing another

language

Language Degrees Develop Skills In

• writing clearly• explaining complex

concepts• interpreting data• evaluating evidence• gathering information• organizing information• collaborating as part of

a team

• acknowledging value systems

• interviewing non-judgmentally

• reading for content and structure

• understanding and adapting to cultural diversity

• hypothesizing

DISTRIBUTION OF EMPLOYED PERSONS WITH A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE, BY SECTOR

Source: Fogg, N.P, Harrington, P.E. & Harrington, T.F, (2004). College Majors Handbook (2nd ed). Indianapolis, IN: Jist Publishing.

Government/ Military, 10% Self-Employed,

9%

Education, 31%

Non-Profit, 6%

Private-for-profit, 44%

TOP 10 OCCUPATIONS THAT EMPLOY PERSONS WITH ONLY A BACHELOR’S

DEGREE IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

1. Teachers, secondary2. Top and mid-level managers, executives,

administrators3. Sales (including retail)4. Receptionists, typists5. Other administrative occupations (i.e. record clerks)6. Other management-related occupations7. Insurance, securities, real estate, business services8. Teachers, elementary9. Other service occupations (except health)10. Other marketing and sales occupations

Source: Fogg, N.P, Harrington, P.E. & Harrington, T.F, (2004). College Majors Handbook (2nd ed). Indianapolis, IN: Jist Publishing.

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You

Want• Be familiar with current

events• Travel to countries in

which your target language is spoken

• Get work experience in a place where your language is the native tongue

• Acquire a passport

• Obtain teaching certification

• Practice becoming more fluent by reading books, using tapes and videos, training sessions and film

• Develop business skills to complement your knowledge of language

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You

Want• Develop research skills

and be able to analyze problems

• Develop good communication skills

• Work at a US location of an international company

• Network with professionals working in companies and sectors in which you’re interested

• Become comfortable working with diverse groups of people

Books And Web Resources

BooksInside A U.S. Embassy: How the Foreign Service Works For America published by American Foreign Service Assoc.

Careers For Foreign Language Aficionados by J. Laurence Day

Web Resources

The Modern Language Association http://www.mla.org/

Bilingual Jobs.com http://www.bilingual-jobs.com/default_new.htm

Resources for more information

USC’s Department of Language, Literatures and Cultureshttp://www.cas.sc.edu/dllc/

USC’s Career Libraryhttp://www.sc.edu/career/Library/library.html

Foreign Language Related Websiteshttp://www.sc.edu/career/la/llc.html

College of Arts and Sciences Career Development Programwww.sc.edu/career/cascdp/index.html

Career Center Contact Information

University of South Carolina Career Center6th Floor, H. William Close Building (BA Building)Columbia, SC 29208Phone: 803-777-7280On-call counseling without an appointment: M - F, 1:00 am - 4:00 pm (Summer and holiday hours may differ, please check the website at www.sc/edu/career)