Job opportunities in Languages? (8)

3 Name: Anonymous Linguist : 2009-03-09 22:26 ID:TXtOCKO+

It's certainly not COMPLETELY pointless, but language skills will never be the main thing that get you a job--trust me. I was a modern language and linguistics major as an undergrad, have a graduate degree in foreign language literature, and can speak, read, and write six languages, but I've never worked full-time in a language-related field.

Translation jobs do exist--I translate part-time. In the U.S., at least, where I live, translation jobs mostly go to native speakers, and are easier to get in the corporate sector, or as a freelancer, than as a full-timer or government employee. You can do it, but you really have to be ready to hustle and sell yourself. And of course, you generally need skills much stronger than you can acquire in only four years at university. Go live in China or Japan for a few of years once you graduate, and get really fluent that way. That will make you more competitive.

You might be better off developing other marketable skills, and using your language abilities as an additional qualification--for example, language abilities can be an advantage when working for Japanese or Chinese-owned companies, or companies that do international business. Sales, technology, publishing, etc.--each of these fields regularly needs people with language abilities. Near me, for example, the headquarters of Viz Publishing USA (a manga publisher) is always looking for people to do various types of sales and editorial jobs, and they require Japanese fluency.

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