Yasmin
Are foreign language degree considered "useless?"
I love foreign languages. I'm already bilingual. (I speak Spanish fluently.) It's my dream to become a polyglot. In college, I'm certain I want to either minor or major in a foreign language. I'm particularly interested in learning Japanese, but I'm also considering Arabic or Russian.
The problem is I'm worried about being able to find a job outside of teaching with my degree. (I don't think I have what it takes to become a teacher.) People have warned me about the dangers of a liberal arts degree, and have suggested that I avoid pursuing a degree in liberal arts and humanities.
However, I do love math. In the future, I'm thinking about pursuing a career in immigration law or international business. I'm not really sure. But would a foreign language degree on it's own be considered "useless?" Would I need to find an additional field to major or minor in in order to launch a successful career with a foreign language degree?
#foreign-languages #careers-for-people-with-liberal-arts-degrees #japanese #bachelorsdegree #arabic #russian ##spanish
3 answers
Jenna Zebrowski, JD, MBA
Jenna’s Answer
I'll piggy back off of Jenna's validation of your views and give you few options that incorporate foreign language. When you are in college sprinkle in some history, some public service, some diplomacy classes and you can work in the embassy of that country and not only perfect your language skills but learn the culture too and immerse yourself into something you love. Even though math is a universal language and doesn't require translation that much, international trade and business negotiations do. Learn the language you love, sprinkle in economics, international trade, business negotiations and voilà you are an invaluable asset to a company that does business in countries that speak your third or fourth language. Good luck!
Vardan Mkrtchyan
Agreeing with the previous comments, I can point out that pursuing a career in international organization such as UN and it's specialized agencies is also an option.
Background in Languages and international business is a very useful, Spanish, Russian and Arabic being official languages of the organization.
UN in particular has annual Young professionals program - a recruitment initiative for young people to start a career as an international civil servant. You can check out their website if this seems like something that would interest you.
Zuzana Burianova
Jenny Vaz
Jenny’s Answer
Fantastic insight above.
To add, I'd also look at developing a career in communications particularly in the area of change management. It is a combination of marketing and public relations for the internal needs of an organisation.
It is needed when organisation are going through massive cultural change to develop a new way of doing business. It requires a central team and individual to communicate that change across the business - from the senior leaders (stakeholders) down to the people on the factory floors and stores. So that no one misses out.
Language is vital because it's easier to help someone understand this big change when it is explained in a language or format that they understand. When change comes along, people get worried that they will lose their jobs. They worry about their families and the mortgage. Communicating how the change is going to make their job and life better is vital.
I speak five languages and it always puts a smile on someone's face when I make an effort to speak theirs. :)
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