3 answers
Lia
Student
Acton, Massachusetts
2
Questions
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What kind of jobs would fit a double major in linguistics and business?
#majors #college-major #college-majors #double-major #major #linguistics #business
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3 answers
Siduo Ai
Account Manager
3
Answers
Nashville, Tennessee
Updated
Siduo’s Answer
Hi Lia
Most working adults unfortunately do not work in the fields of their study, as the average American changes career paths multiple times in the course of their lives.
That being said, however, there are a lot of opportunities open once you graduate from college. I would recommend, for that type of degree, to look into both major established companies as well as start-ups and mom and pop-type establishments for anything entry-related to sales, finance, account management, project management, as well as office/facilities coordinator type of roles. Keep in mind that the US workforce is talent-heavy and a lot of competition exists for good positions so getting a good start and solid learning experience is more important than title, money, or responsibility. Many of these coordinator type of roles turn into management or senior positions over time also.
After you get your foot in, you can then flex those linguistics skills into international business that can leverage your abilities and schooling in a way that makes you shine relative to other candidates and employees of that company, ie. you start with Amazon/Google, and then as you let your leadership know, they can align you with opportunities that have those skillsets requirements. Working in companies that do a lot of international business work well, especially if you have to travel and/or speak to a lot of different people from different cultural/linguistic backgrounds.
Hope this helps and best of luck!
Research internships and part time work
Cultivate Indeed/Linkedin/Glassdoor presence online
Stay open-minded and positive about what opportunities exist, and keep applying
Most working adults unfortunately do not work in the fields of their study, as the average American changes career paths multiple times in the course of their lives.
That being said, however, there are a lot of opportunities open once you graduate from college. I would recommend, for that type of degree, to look into both major established companies as well as start-ups and mom and pop-type establishments for anything entry-related to sales, finance, account management, project management, as well as office/facilities coordinator type of roles. Keep in mind that the US workforce is talent-heavy and a lot of competition exists for good positions so getting a good start and solid learning experience is more important than title, money, or responsibility. Many of these coordinator type of roles turn into management or senior positions over time also.
After you get your foot in, you can then flex those linguistics skills into international business that can leverage your abilities and schooling in a way that makes you shine relative to other candidates and employees of that company, ie. you start with Amazon/Google, and then as you let your leadership know, they can align you with opportunities that have those skillsets requirements. Working in companies that do a lot of international business work well, especially if you have to travel and/or speak to a lot of different people from different cultural/linguistic backgrounds.
Hope this helps and best of luck!
Siduo recommends the following next steps:
Tim Lee
Former-PwC&IBM/multiple start-ups; Principal Product Manager at a major software company
9
Answers
San Ramon, California
Updated
Tim’s Answer
As others have said, you needn't work only in your field of study. However, if looking specifically for areas in linguistics and business, you could look for businesses that require someone with your language skills, translation / localization (L10N) / internationalization (I18N), and more.
- On the translation aspect, it needn't be as a verbal translator, as there are needs in documentation, website and product translation for many, many companies that are multi-national.
- International businesses often value someone who can work across customers/partners/etc. in their respective languages. Example: importing from one country and exporting goods to another.
- Teaching the languages; researching languages
- Setting aside the linguistics, your business degree should open up many possibilities, with linguistics being a bonus. Good luck!
- On the translation aspect, it needn't be as a verbal translator, as there are needs in documentation, website and product translation for many, many companies that are multi-national.
- International businesses often value someone who can work across customers/partners/etc. in their respective languages. Example: importing from one country and exporting goods to another.
- Teaching the languages; researching languages
- Setting aside the linguistics, your business degree should open up many possibilities, with linguistics being a bonus. Good luck!
Ria Jagasia
Academic Consultant at AIC Education
40
Answers
Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
Updated
Ria’s Answer
Working as a translator or teacher seem like popular options after completing a linguistics degree and while that may not seem like jobs that require business skills, some companies (small firms, startups, etc.) will let entry-level employees engage in business development projects as well. You could leverage your business skills in a graduate degree program that would allow you to get higher positions within fields like teaching or translating!