Career Outlook for those with a Foreign Languages Degree
Career News January 26, 2016In the next few minutes, learn important career details that you should put into consideration before pursuing a degree program in foreign languages. Learn what jobs you would get after graduation, skills to acquire in college and the salary outlook for professionals with such a degree and then decide if this is the right program for you.
Career Options for Individuals with a Foreign Languages Degree
While some people are just talented in comprehending and speaking multiple foreign languages, most people would have to pass through a trainer in order to grasp one foreign language. If that sound like you, pursuing this degree program can help you not only understand a new language, but also get a job in fields such as foreign language teaching, interpretation and consulting.
Foreign language teachers
With such an integrated multi cultural environment in the U.S., the demand for foreign language teachers is expected to rise even more. Foreign language teachers help students develop knowledge and understanding in completely new languages. The students on the other hand, are able to use their new language apprehension skills when working with America’s trade partners around the globe. As for the teachers, their services are mainly required in public schools, universities and colleges.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics estimates that jobs for foreign language teachers who work in post secondary institutions is likely to grow at a steady rate of 17% up to the year 2022. In 2013, the BLS estimated that the average annual salary in this career was $58,620.
Translators and Interpreters
Their work is to relay information from speakers of one language to people who don’t understand the language. Translators mainly deal in written texts while their counterparts deal with spoken information. Note that their work is mainly done in real time conversations. This job attracts an average annual salary of $42,420 (BLS) while the growth rate for the career in general is an overwhelming 46% from 2012 – 2022.
Consultants
Nowadays, multinational companies are seeing it necessary to employ people who can speak more than one major language. Issues such as religious beliefs, diverse cultures and of course, the issues of language barriers are some of the reasons why multinational companies employ people who can speak one or more foreign language. Besides this, most people find it easier to use software if translated into their own native languages. And as such, businesses will need people to assist in communications during the daily operations of their business.
The BLS estimates that an average consultant earned $79,870 in 2013 while the job growth rate for this profession is expected to be at 19% for the next few years.
Career Summary
Besides helping you get a job, knowing a second language can always help you when you travel in new countries for business or personal endeavors. In any case, it is very interesting to know a new language, especially one that you have always admired to know. Also, learning a new language in a classroom helps you gain a better understanding of the culture associated with the people who speak that language.
