As a foreign language graduate, you will be a liberal arts graduate – and that is a great advantage! It will enable you to think critically about people and cultures just at the time when all employers must deal with the globalization of the economy.

But you need to acquire some additional skills as well – preferably while you are an undergraduate. 

(1) Study Abroad is considered to be highly desirable because students who spend time abroad increase their fluency in the target language very quickly, learn to speak idiomatically, and also develop a much deeper understanding and appreciation of contemporary culture.  They also often develop more self-confidence, and the ability to handle unexpected situations with ease.

(2) You may want to develop a minor along with your major, or earn a degree in "Liberal Studies," with two or three minors instead of one major.
Such combinations might include:

Such combinations of a major and a minor, or two or three minors in a Liberal Studies Major, are often more powerful in the job market than one major alone.

(3) Keep your knowledge of technology current. Be able to use the internet, do word processing, and use an electronic spreadsheet, Power Point, e-mail, mail merge, and other pertinent software as it appears in the market.. If you know NOTHING about how to use a computer, you should take CSC 101- "Introduction to Computers and Applications." If you know how to do some word processing, and have used the internet a little, it's better to take CSC 200 – "Personal Computer Applications," where you will learn Microsoft Office. This is probably the single most important extra course for you to take beyond your foreign language major. And fortunately for you, the B.A. in any foreign language (unlike many bachelor’s degrees) allows you fifty-one elective credits.  When writing your résumé, be sure to include computer skills.

(4) Learn the basic vocabulary and principles of business, finance, and accounting. Learn how markets work.  Remember that all organizations must survive financially, and in that sense they are all "businesses," subject to the forces of supply and demand.  (Even Southern!)  If you have already graduated, there are often adult education courses you can find that cover these topics. If you are still an undergraduate, you can do this by taking a few courses here at Southern: MGT 100, ECO 100 (to fulfill an all-university requirement), ACC 100, and FIN 340 are some possibilities. A good basic course in statistics (MAT 107, to fulfill an all-university requirement) wouldn’t hurt either. After you learn some basic vocabulary through courses, continue to educate yourself by reading the business section of the newspaper or a business magazine, such as Business Week, or Forbes, particularly if you want to work in the for-profit sector.

(5) Work in an office for a summer if possible, or even for a week.  Most jobs today are done in offices, and your experiences as a waitress or cashier won’t give you basic understanding of office etiquette – the appropriate way to answer an office phone, dress for work in an office, or use a filing system.  To find an office job, apply with a company that provides temporary office personnel. You can use the electronic yellow pages to find such a company.  Double click on "electronic yellow pages" above, and under "Category" type in the two words "temporary employment" and then add whatever city (optional) and state (required) interests you. Then click on "find it," and soon you should find several temporary employment agencies listed.

(6) Being able to speak effectively in front of a group is an extremely important skill. Take a course in public speaking (possibly COM 100 or 205, either of which will also fulfill an all-university requirement), and in your other courses, take every possible opportunity to speak in front of a group. Learn how to explain clearly, motivate, and encourage others verbally. You’ll learn by practicing.
If you have already graduated, you can greatly increase your communication skills in a relaxed environment by joining a "Toastmasters" club. For information on a club near you, click on:  Toastmasters.

(7) Spend a few minutes each day or an hour a week keeping up on the news – not the latest crimes and scandals, but the important news that will affect you and will affect history. You might listen to the news on the radio as you commute to work.  You could read a good newspaper, such as the New York Times, or a good news magazine, such as The Economist. Or watch a good news program, such as the News Hour on public television. At first the names of people in the news will seem unfamiliar, and you will feel like you came in in the middle of an foreign movie.  But soon all the names and places will be familiar, and by the time you graduate you will know what kind of world you are entering, and will make a far better impression in your first professional job.