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Foreign Languages & Literature
The world is tied together by many bonds--economic, diplomatic and human--and because of technological advances in transportation and communication, an increasing number of Americans rely on the knowledge of a foreign language. Concentrated study of the languages and cultures of other nations contributes significantly to the improvement of international relations.
The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offers majors in Ancient Greek and Roman Studies, French Studies, German Studies, Italian Studies, Russian Studies, Spanish Studies, and Three Languages; teaching majors in Latin, French, German, Italian, and Spanish; and joint majors with the Departments of Business Administration, History, and Political Science/International Relations. It also collaborates with other departments to offer three interdisciplinary area studies majors: European Studies, East Asian Studies, International Business Studies, and Latin American Studies. The curricular emphasis for undergraduates is placed on competence in a foreign language along with knowledge and appreciation of the civilization, culture, and literature of the peoples concerned. The Department sponsors study abroad programs in France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Russia, Spain, Costa Rica, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, China, Japan, Ghana, and Tunisia.
Employment possibilities for foreign language majors include the many positions available to humanities students in any field. For bilinguals there are openings in foreign countries as well as in the United States. Graduates have found jobs in teaching, translating, foreign diplomacy, foreign correspondence, travel agencies, international airlines, import-export work, international corporations, banking, and in agencies of the federal government. Foreign language competence is an asset to urban workers in social work, public health, and law enforcement. While graduates with skills and backgrounds only in foreign languages may encounter keen competition for jobs, as a supplement to other skills the knowledge of a foreign language is a valuable professional commodity.
Sample Job Titles
| Bachelor's Degree/Entry Level |
Further Education/Experience
Often
Required |
| *teacher |
*translator |
| *guide |
*linguist |
| *international trade economist |
*interpreter |
| *foreign service officer |
*speech pathologist |
| *foreign correspondent |
*foreign social
worker |
| *international banking officer |
*bilingual education |
Check the Dictionary of Occupational Titles
under section 137 for additional related careers.
Enhancing Employability
- Participate in the Alumni Mentor Network.
- Sample UD Field Experiences: Latin
American Community Center, CITE of Delaware, Delaware Development Office /World
Trade Section
Some Employers of Foreign Language Majors
*schools
* state/federal government
* colleges/universities
* airlines
* travel/tourism agencies
* media
* museums
* business and banks
* hotels
Other Sources of Information
Vault Online Career Library
(provides extensive information about careers and companies/organizations; log in via Blue Hen Jobs)
American Society of Interpreters
P. O. Box 9603
Washington, DC 20016
(703) 998-8636
American Translators Association
www.atanet.org
Foundation for International Human Relations
P. O. Box 18206
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 659-5552
Jobs in Japan
www.jobsinjapan.com
LatPro
www.latpro.com
National Association for Bilingual Education
www.nabe.org
OneSmallPlanet.com
www.onesmallplanet.com
Opportunities in Public Affairs
www.opajobs.com
OverseasJobs.com
www.overseasjobs.com
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
www.tesol.org
The Riley Guide
www.rileyguide.com
U.S. State Dept.
www.state.gov/careers/
Resources for Finding Employment
University of Delaware Career Resource Center Materials
Available
- Blue Hen Jobs -- Internships, Part-time, Summer, and Full-time Jobs -- All in one place
- Careers in International Business (CSE 100)
- Great Jobs for Foreign Language Majors (CSE
263)
- Careers for Foreign Language Aficionados &
Other Multilingual Types (CSE 264)
- Opportunities in Foreign Language Careers
(CSE 265)
- Careers for People on the Move & Other Road
Warriors (CSE 394)
- Career Opportunities in the Travel Industry
(CSE 397)
- Jobs for People Who Love to Travel (CSE 398)
- Careers in Focus - Travel & Hospitality (CSE
401)
- Top Careers for Liberal Arts Graduates (CSE
559)
- Careers for Extroverts & Other Gregarious
Types (CSE 590)
- Careers for Talkative Types & Others With
the Gift of Gab (CSE 593)
- The Directory of Websites for International
Jobs (GD 125)
- How to Get a Job in Europe (GD 131)
- Work Your Way Around the World (GD 155)
- Opportunities in Overseas Careers (GD 160)
- International Jobs (GD 165)
- Directory of Jobs and Careers Abroad (GD 179)
- International Job Finder (GD 181)
- Going Global (GD 182 & 183)
- The Big Guide to Living and Working Overseas (GD 184)
- www.udel.edu/CSC/netresources.html
CSC's Internet Resources
Further information including: Skills to Develop, Strategies
for Contacting Employers, Graduate School Information and where to get assistance
is available in the CAREER RESOURCE CENTER located at 401
Academy Street.
Last updated: October 22, 2009 (CH)
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