Careers with Languages take you further Marie Da Silva, Careers Consultant, Careers & Employability Services, The Open University 30th June, 2018

Today’s session What do language graduates do? Career options with a languages degree or fluency in another language The job market for linguists Benefits to your career of language skills

What can I do with my languages degree?

What do graduates do? 2017/18 HECSU

What does this tell us about language graduates? “The grasp of foreign languages and experience of foreign field trips are likely to increase the confidence of this cohort to relocate to another country.” (8.7%) “Language graduates” “more likely to be studying for a professional qualification compared with graduates from the other humanities” “This is likely to be a reflection of the increasing professionalization of translation, interpretation and teaching English to speakers of other languages.” (22.5%) Source: What do graduates do? 2017/18

What do languages graduates do? 2017/18 HECSU

Languages skills alone ≠ a job Languages as an additional skill Marketing Executive Legal Accounting Insurance Broadcast journalist Diplomatic Service Officer International Aid/Development Worker Logistics and Distribution Manager Sales Executive Customer Service roles Tour Manager Traditional Language Jobs Translator Interpreter Modern Languages Teacher EFL Teacher

Some less obvious options…. Graduate Brand Ambassadors Language Analyst Weapon Systems Operator (Linguist) & Intelligence Analyst (Linguist)

EXAMPLE OF LANGUAGE JOBS Work Your Language EXAMPLE OF LANGUAGE JOBS Customer Service Advisors, Sales Executive Assistants, Management Consultants, Online Marketing Executive, SEO, Proof Reader, Project Manager, Office Administrator, Travel Specialist, Credit Controller, PA, Legal Assistant, Translator, Telemarketer, Market Researcher, Technical Support, Business Development Executive, Hotel Group Reservations Consultant, Games Tester, Qualified Accountant, Graphic Designer, Hosts and Hostesses, Software Engineer, Sales Product Trainer, Management Consultant, Application Support

COMPANIES AND RECRUITMENT AGENCIES SEEKING LANGUAGE SPEAKERS Work Your Language COMPANIES AND RECRUITMENT AGENCIES SEEKING LANGUAGE SPEAKERS

INDUSTRIES SEEKING LANGUAGES Work Your Language INDUSTRIES SEEKING LANGUAGES

Which languages are most in demand? French Mandarin Spanish German Russian

Work Your Language LANGUAGES IN DEMAND

YOUR COMPETITION IN THE MARKET! Work Your Language YOUR COMPETITION IN THE MARKET!

WHAT ARE EMPLOYERS LOOKING FOR? Work Your Language WHAT ARE EMPLOYERS LOOKING FOR? International & relevant experience Awareness of cultural differences Ability to build relationships Commercial awareness Flexibility with location Authorisation to work

Spanish French Mandarin German Q: Which do you think is the foreign language rated as most useful by business Spanish French Mandarin German 45% 51% 36% 47%

Employer satisfaction with graduate applicants’ work-relevant skills (%)

Career planning process

Do languages increase your earning potential?

Languages are crucial in business “Foreign languages are crucial in all areas of business, whether you're tailoring a product to the needs of a particular country and marketing it in a culturally sensitive way, or entering new markets and building relationships. A lack of languages can get companies in legal trouble too, "Businesses can fall foul of all sorts of regulatory issues and cultural misunderstandings.“ Source: Bernadette Holmes, Principal Researcher, Born Global Initiative, British Academy

Languages not just a benefit for your career https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpTfl_GqPUs

Any questions or comments?