Careers in Modern Languages
Are you wondering what you can do with a degree in Modern Languages? Past graduates from the Department of Modern Languages at UW-L have taken jobs in business, education, government, media, social services, travel and tourism, and many other fields.
Take advantage of all the resources available to you through the Career Services Center, which is the best resource for assistance with career planning, assessments, internships, job market information, job search services, and alumni services. The Career Services Center offers individual counseling as well as a wide variety of workshops.
What Can I Do with a Degree in Modern Languages?
The many career options open to modern language majors include the arts, business, education, government, media, social services, and the travel and hospitality industry. You can consult Languages and Careers (PDF) for ideas about how modern languages can be used in many different careers.
For additional information, please consult the following sites:
- Modern Language Careers: This is a site prepared by Portland State University's Career Center and contains excellent resources for career options, potential employers, and job strategies.
- Careers in Foreign Languages (PDF): In this document Northern Illinois University lists a variety of occupations and employers with many links to additional information.
We also invite you to talk with the department faculty concerning employment opportunities, graduate schools, and other career-related questions you might have.
Job Search Strategies
- Use the resources available to you through UW-L's Career Services Center. Attend job search workshops as early as your junior year. Learn how to research companies, promote your skills and experience, and identify hidden job markets. The Career Services Center offers several workshops throughout the year to help students with many different career-related topics, such as:
- Job Search Strategies
- Writing Résumés
- Writing Cover Letters
- Interview Techniques
- Internships
- Graduate School
- Attend career fairs and other events. Several career fairs and other events are offered throughout the year to help students and alumni research employers and job opportunities. Check the special events schedule to see what events are scheduled for this semester.
- Register with the Career Services Center to take full advantage of job search services, including on-campus interviews and the candidate referral program.
- Participate in on-campus recruiting. Business, industry, and government organizations recruit each semester. School districts recruit primarily during the spring semester.
- Contact agencies, companies, or organizations for which you would like to work and see if they are hiring.
- Check with the state employment opportunity office.
- Talk with relatives, friends, and acquaintances about job possibilities in their companies.
- Check local newspaper classified ads.
- Consider volunteer or internship positions, as these sometimes lead to paid positions.
- Call employment agencies.
- Check online employment websites.
Salary Comparison Sites
- Salary.com: The broadest salary-comparison site. The Salary Wizard allows you to pick a job category and a region and to quickly find median salaries by position.
- Salaryexpert.com: A free, comprehensive salary site offering salary, benefits, and cost of living information.
Graduate School
Your major advisor can help you determine which universities fit your areas of interest. Many departments also require applicants to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).