WHAT CAN I DO WITH A
MAJOR IN...
LANGUAGES,
LITERATURES &
CULTURES
www.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 Options
Degrees: 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
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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
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Administrator
Admissions Evaluator
Author/Writer
Career Counselor
College or University
Professor
Financial Aid Director
Guidance Counselor
Health Educator
Lecturer
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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
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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
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Art Dealer
Copywriter
Editor
Foreign Correspondent
Filmmaker
Journalist
Media Specialist
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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
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Advertising Manager
Cruise Director
Cultural Attaché
Flight Attendant
Foreign Travel
Consultant
• International
Conference Planner
• International Hotel
Administrator
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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 nonjudgmentally
• 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
Government/
Military, 10%
Self-Employed,
9%
Private-forprofit, 44%
Education, 31%
Non-Profit, 6%
Source: Fogg, N.P, Harrington, P.E. & Harrington, T.F, (2004). College
Majors Handbook (2nd ed). Indianapolis, IN: Jist Publishing.
TOP 10 OCCUPATIONS THAT EMPLOY
PERSONS WITH ONLY A BACHELOR’S
DEGREE IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
1. Teachers, secondary
2. Top and mid-level managers, executives,
administrators
3. Sales (including retail)
4. Receptionists, typists
5. Other administrative occupations (i.e. record clerks)
6. Other management-related occupations
7. Insurance, securities, real estate, business services
8. Teachers, elementary
9. 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
Books
Inside A U.S. Embassy:
How the Foreign Service
Works For America
published by American
Foreign Service Assoc.
Web Resources
The Modern Language
Association
http://www.mla.org/
Careers For Foreign
Language Aficionados by
J. Laurence Day
Bilingual Jobs.com
http://www.bilingualjobs.com/default_new.htm
Resources for more
information
USC’s Department of Language, Literatures
and Cultures
http://www.cas.sc.edu/dllc/
USC’s Career Library
http://www.sc.edu/career/Library/library.html
Foreign Language Related Websites
http://www.sc.edu/career/la/llc.html
College of Arts and Sciences Career
Development Program
www.sc.edu/career/cascdp/index.html
Career Center Contact
Information
University of South Carolina Career Center
6th Floor, H. William Close Building (BA Building)
Columbia, SC 29208
Phone: 803-777-7280
On-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)