| Most people associate a foreign language degree | | | | and education specialists. For these types of |
| with teaching, assuming that someone with a | | | | positions, a double major in a foreign language |
| Bachelor's degree in Spanish, French, Japanese or | | | | combined with a scientific degree can be in |
| some other foreign language will teach the | | | | particularly high demand. |
| language. Most students with fluency in a second | | | | Within the United States, more and more |
| language, however, pursue career options that | | | | occupations such as those in the legal, criminal |
| focus on the private sector or government | | | | justice and the medical fields are seeing the need |
| service. In fact, having a degree in a foreign | | | | for professionals who are culturally aware. |
| language makes you marketable in almost any | | | | Individuals in need of legal advice or medical |
| field within today's global economy. | | | | attention who don't speak English as their first |
| Teaching is a time-honored career for anyone | | | | language are more likely to feel comfortable with |
| fluent in a foreign language, but it isn't the only | | | | someone who is fluent in their first language. |
| career option. If you have a degree in a second | | | | Ultimately, knowing their language puts them at |
| language and you enjoy traveling and experiencing | | | | ease and can also make it easier to help them. |
| the culture associated with another language, the | | | | If you are interested in commerce, marketing or |
| travel industry offers lots of opportunities. Bilingual | | | | sales, the import/export market is an ideal arena |
| tour guides and escort/interpreters are always | | | | for you. Fluency in a foreign language will enable |
| needed by international touring companies. | | | | you to negotiate cultural differences, language |
| If you also have a degree or choose to take | | | | barriers and handle customs issues with ease. A |
| course concentrations in medical or legal courses, | | | | degree in a foreign language goes far beyond |
| you will be sought after by international law firms, | | | | fluency in a particular language, although it certainly |
| medical foundations, and research facilities. These | | | | immerses you in the language. By devoting |
| corporations need fluent translators and | | | | yourself to the study of a language at the college |
| interpreters to handle both written and verbal | | | | level, you are devoting yourself to moving |
| communications. | | | | beyond "book learning". You'll learn the language in |
| Translators, particularly those who focus on | | | | its proper context, including accents, regional |
| written communication, are also in demand for | | | | dialects, slang and the evolution of cultural |
| international publishing houses. If you are | | | | changes. |
| interested in literature and love to read, this is a | | | | Foreign language majors also study the literature, |
| position that would be ideal for you. Fluency in the | | | | culture, history and national identities of the |
| language of the author, an ability to maintain the | | | | countries' languages that they study. The nuances |
| voice of the author, and an understanding of the | | | | of diplomacy, negotiation and tolerance are highly |
| culture are all attributes needed for a good | | | | marketable skills that employers are looking for in |
| translator in the publishing industry. | | | | the global marketplace. If you have a flair for |
| The United States Department of State hires | | | | languages and a passion for other cultures, a |
| people every year for posts all over the world. | | | | foreign language degree is an excellent goal to |
| These Foreign Service specialists include | | | | pursue. You will delight in a wide range of career |
| administrative professionals, civil engineers, | | | | opportunities available to you upon your |
| information technology specialists, security forces | | | | graduation. |