So, you studied languages?

1 - Are you a teacher?
2 - Do you interpret for the EU/UN?
3 - Are you a translator?

This is a conversation I had tonight with another linguist who studied French and German. He told me that if he tells somebody that he studied languages they’ll automatically assume that he is a teacher, translator or interpreter. Most will ask if he is a teacher.

There is still a huge lack of awareness of what type of career path one can pursue with a degree in languages.

This lack of awareness can deter others from studying languages or can even encourage graduates of foreign languages to follow a specific career path, allowing them to believe that their choices are rather limited.

I have taught, interpreted and translated on the side, but have never worked in these sectors as a full time career.

Not all linguists desire to be a teacher, translator or interpreter.

Highlighting the different sectors that require languages such as Tech, Exports, Tourism, Media, Sports, Marketing, Sales as well as many others will encourage more to study a foreign language and will allow for linguists to follow a career path that is more suited to them..

You can apply your language skills to anything you want to. You just need to believe it!

For more posts about languages in careers, please see Emily Nicole Boaler on LinkedIn