Foreign Languages

What can I do with a Major in....Modern Foreign Languages?

A degree in any of the Modern Foreign Languages can lead to careers in many different areas, wherever there is a need to understand and communicate with people from other cultures.

Before you begin to look at the different types of opportunities available to Modern Foreign Languages majors, you must look at yourself and ask yourself a few basic questions:

What am I good at?

Understand your major strengths, skills and accomplishments. Some examples of skills and qualities employers look for are:

Fluency in a second language
Writing skills in that language
Knowledge of other cultures
Interpersonal skills
Listening skills

What do I like to do?

Examine your interests. What kind of life style do I want to lead? Examine your values...is money what you're after, job security, challenging work?

If you are having trouble answering these questions, you are not alone. Make an appointment with an advisor in the Career Center. We want to help you!

POSITIONS

Once you know yourself, you are ready to decide where and how you want to apply this knowledge.

A bachelor's degree in Modern Foreign Languages and the appropriate skills and/or experience can lead to positions as a:

Teacher of foreign language or ESL
Interpreter/Translator
Computer programmer/troubleshooter
Investment counselor
Loan officer
Public relations representative
Law enforcement officer
Graphic designer
Marketing specialist
Human service worker
Home health aid
Proofreader
Tour guide
Travel agent
Flight attendant

Experience in the field or an advanced degree could lead to certain positions in:

Social work
Foreign correspondence
Occupational therapy
Nursing, etc.

For information on graduate schools, consult Peterson's.

EMPLOYMENT

Typical places of employment are:

Government
Corporate and research libraries
Correctional centers
Armed forces
Youth service agencies
Hospitals
Magazines/Newspapers
Radio/TV
Airports
United nations
Foreign banks
Import/Export companies
Hotels
Court system

LEARN MORE

To help you decide which area to pursue you must do in-depth research into each area of specialization and/or industry you have an interest in.

St. John's University Department of Foreign Languages

Foreign Language Career and Job Resources on the Internet

Places to begin:

Join the Career Centers COACH Program

The Occupational Outlook Handbook

Careers for Foreign Language Aficionados & Other Multilingual Types, H. Ned Seelye & J. Laurence Day

Talk to people in the field, talk to your professors, write to and/or join one of the following associations:

Association of Teachers of English as a Second Language, National Association for Foreign Student Affairs (NAFSA), 1860 19th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009

US Department of State, Bureau of Personnel, Office of Recruitment, Examination & Employment Washington, DC 20520

American Association of Language Specialists, 1000 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 9, Washington, DC 20036 www.taals.net

American Society of Interpreters, PO Box 9603, Washington, DC 20016

American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, 6 Executive Plaza, Yonkers, NY 10701 (914) 963 - 8830 www.actfl.org

For additional lists of Associations consult the Encyclopedia of Associations.

Trade Publications:

Public Relations Journal
Crain's NY Business
Wall Street Journal