WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN... LANGUAGES, LITERATURES & CULTURES

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

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. (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, Jul

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 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 Administrator Admissions Evaluator Author/Writer Career Counselor College or University Professor Financial Aid Director Guidance Counselor Health Educator Lecturer 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 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 Art Dealer Copywriter Editor Foreign Correspondent Filmmaker Journalist Media Specialist 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 Advertising Manager Cruise Director Cultural Attaché Flight Attendant Foreign Travel Consultant International Conference Planner International Hotel Administrator 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 non- judgmentally 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 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. Careers For Foreign Language Aficionados by J. Laurence Day Web Resources The Modern Language Association Bilingual Jobs.com jobs.com/default_new.htm jobs.com/default_new.htm

Resources for more information USC’s Department of Language, Literatures and Cultures USC’s Career Library Foreign Language Related Websites College of Arts and Sciences Career Development Program

Career Center Contact Information University of South Carolina Career Center 6th Floor, H. William Close Building (BA Building) Columbia, SC Phone: 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