Interesting Options

Consider, as you look at your future, the Peace Corps, Translating or Interpreting, or Teaching English in another country. These are three fascinating options, but only the tip of the iceberg.

Below you will find, supplied by our Career Services Office, a list of occupational areas, employers, and strategies for the job search that apply to foreign language majors nationwide. The following material is an updated version of a list prepared in 1996 by the Career Planning staff, Career Services, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. You will notice if you read the section in this web page on our alumni, that they are established in many of the kinds of careers on the list below. However, the list below is more comprehensive, even though it only highlights career opportunities.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE: What can I do with this degree?

Areas	Employers	Strategies
U.S. Government ----------------------------- Translation/Interpretation Teaching Journalism/Broadcasting Linguistics Diplomacy Civil Service Foreign Service Immigration/Naturalization Armed Forces Customs	Overseas dependents' schools Overseas aid agencies Intelligence and law enforcement agencies the Foreign Service Armed forces Library of Congress United Nations Voice of America	Learn federal, state and local job applications procedures. Learn a foreign language. Join armed forces as a way to get experience.
Arts, Media, Entertainment ----------------------------- Advertising Translation/Interpretation Journalism/Broadcasting Publishing/Editing	Museums Foreign news agencies Book publishers Hotels, motels, restaurants TV networks Radio stations Film companies	Travel and study abroad. Read international newspapers to keep up with developments overseas.
Areas	Employers	Strategies
Industry and Commerce ----------------------------- Translation/Interpretation Customs Banking Customer Services Sales Market Research Consulting Imports/Exports	Banks Finance related institutions Import/Export companies Foreign firms operating in the U.S. American firms operating in foreign countries Manufacturers	Find out what companies do business with the countries in which your language is spoken. Consult: Directory of Foreign Firms Operating in the U.S., Directory of American Firms Operating in Foreign Countries, and American Register of Exporters and Importers. Supplement language courses with business courses.
Travel and Tourism ----------------------------- Translation/Interpretation Airline services Hospitality industry	Tour companies Travel agencies Hotels, motels, restaurants Airlines/Airports Cruise lines	Study geography. Spend time abroad to learn the traditions of fine dining, wines, etc. Plan to attend a travel school. Develop office skills and computer skills. Read the international news; keep up with world events.
Areas	Employers	Strategies
Scientific and Professional ----------------------------- Computer Science Engineering Law Medicine Library Science	Corporate and research libraries School and public libraries Hospitals/Laboratories Foreign firms operating in the U.S. American firms operating in foreign countries	Develop good oral and written communication skills. Look into the master's degree in library science. Work on computer skills. Read newspapers to keep up on world events.
Service and Education --------------------------- Translations/Interpretation Teaching Educational administration Linguistics Civil Service Social Work Library Science Health Services	Hospitals Religious and volunteer organizations International organizations Law enforcement agencies Social service agencies Universities/Colleges Pre-schools K-12 schools Professional language schools English language insitutes	Learn state certification requirements. Develop superior written and oral communication skills in the English language. Minor or double major in another subject that you could also teach. Investigate teaching English in another country. Earn a graduate degree to teach at a college. Be familiar with the cultural history of your language (literature, art, politics, geography) as well as cultural traditions. Specialize in an area of research. Plan to take both written and oral examinations to become an interpreter. Volunteer with government programs such as the Peace Corps or VISTA.