Foreign Languages & Literature
One great resource to explore career fields in your major is the Alumni Sharing Knowledge (ASK) network. Alumni are glad to speak with you about their careers. Try searching by major (Foreign Languages and Literature) or by career field and see what some alumni are doing. Here are examples of career destinations of alumni Foreign Languages and Literaturemajors:
Business/Government
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Asia Pacific Distribution Manager, Cypress Semiconductor
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Wine Marketing Manager, Boissel America
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Translator, Sagem Morpho, Inc.
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Border Patrol Agent, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection
Education
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Associate Professor, Ohio State University
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Spanish Teacher, Peninsula School District
Non-Profit
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Business Development Professional, Program for Appropriate
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Technology in Health
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Development Director, Tacoma Community House
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Catholic Lay Missioner, Maryknoll Mission Association
Research Potential Careers
Research will give you confidence in your career choice and provide you with the competitive edge when job searching. Career and Employment Services has numerous materials to help you in this process.
Check out some of the titles in the Career Resource Library in Howarth 101:
- Great Jobs for Foreign Language Majors
- Careers for Foreign Language Afficionados
- Careers in International Affairs
- Directory of Jobs and Careers Abroad
General Information
Professional Associations
Know Your Skills
Communication: Writing and speaking another language, listening for meaning, presenting information effectively
Cross-cultural: Relating language to social context, emphasizing a global perspective, functioning in other cultures
Analysis: Reading critically, examining evidence, comparing interpretations
Networking Works!
One of the most powerful tools for investigating career options is informational interviewing. Informational interviewing provides the means to meet people in the career fields which interest you. To find people to interview start with those people you know and list your natural network of contacts:
- Family and their Friends
- Friends and their Family
- Volunteer affiliations such as clubs, church, and community organizations
- Puget Sound Alumni
- Professionals in the Community
You will gain valuable information to help in deciding your major and possible career path. Also, you will begin to develop networking contacts for your future job search. Since only about 10 percent of existing jobs are filled through want ads, learning to network is a critical skill for a successful career search. At CES we can help you hone your networking skills.
Investigate Internship Possibilities
Below are some examples of the internship possibilities listed in Career and Employment Services. See the internship coordinator to learn howinternships may be linked to your academic program for credit.
U.S. Department of Commerce
International Trade Intern
Washington State Department of Agriculture
International Marketing Intern
World Affairs Council
International Visitor Program
Annie Wright School
Educational Intern
US Bank
International Banking Intern
Federal Trade Commission
Consumer Education Outreach Program
Job Search Tools
There are numerous tools available to aide you in finding a job, both on the internet and in Career and Employment Services. With Career and Employment Services behind you, you've got the tools you need when it comes to looking for a job.
