Career Information for Languages & Literatures Majors |
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It is important to understand that employers hire people, not degrees. The skills and knowledge you develop as a result of your education, as well as in your work and community activities, have the greatest impact on hiring decisions. Listed below are some key skills and knowledge you will acquire as a result of your university education and your focus on Languages.
Specific Knowledge Skills
- Understanding of the development of language and the interaction between culture and language
- An awareness of the rich use of language to effectively communicate ideas and information
- The ability to develop and alter written material to communicate appropriately to different cultures
- Knowledge of cultural differences in communication and interpretation of language and information
- The skill to assess and evaluate the meaning of communication with reference to cultural differences
- Sensitivity to cultural differences/nuances when planning/organizing events and activities
- The skills to teach and educate others using language and your understanding of other cultures
- The ability to translate written or spoken information in a way which accurately conveys the intended message including context, emotions and cultural subtleties
- The language skills necessary to effectively negotiate and mediate in a variety of settings
Valuable Transferable Skills
Information-gathering and Communication Skills
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The skills required to identify and access a wide range of relevant information and resources
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The ability to compile and organize facts and information and to comprehend and apply new and/or unfamiliar information to different situations and settings
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Skills in preparing interesting, creative and informative presentations which target diverse audiences
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The ability to develop effective reports, presentations and materials using current technology
Thinking, Planning and Organizational Skills
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The ability to learn, understand and interpret information and apply knowledge to new situations
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The ability to set priorities, meet deadlines and effectively plan/manage time, data and resources
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Problem-solving skills and the ability to make well-reasoned decisions, think creatively and search for, identify and consider all sides of an issue
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Skills to effectively analyze and interpret a wide range of information and data to discuss, support and/or reject ideas, opinions, reports, theories and proposals
Teamwork and Management Skills
- Skills enabling you to work effectively as part of a team by identifying your role and contributing, through leading, teaching, motivating and/or encouraging others, to the success of the team
- An understanding of how to successfully identify, plan and contribute to the goals of a project
- The ability to oversee, supervise and/or contribute to a project from beginning to end including determining outcomes, planning details, making decisions, assigning roles and completing tasks
Some Career Options for Language Majors
(Additional education, training or experience may be required)
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Cultural Officer
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Conference/Meeting Interpreter
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Dialect Coach
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Foreign Correspondent
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International Conference Planner
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Linguist
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Government Employee
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Marketing Representative
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Tour Guide
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Bilingual Officer
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Public/Corporate Relations
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Travel/Tourism Agent
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Media Consultant
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Customs/Immigration Officer
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Events Promoter
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Foreign Exchange Trader
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Judicial Interpreter/Translator
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Literary Researcher
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Communications Specialist
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International Telephone Operator
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Cultural Tutor
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Bilingual Educator
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Exchange Program Co-ordinator
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Flight Attendant
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Foreign Services Officer
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Airline Representative
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Bank Employee
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Call Centre Manager
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Mediator/Negotiator
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Radio Broadcaster
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University Recruiter
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Language Consultant
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Concierge
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Script Supervisor
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Film Translator (Dubbing)
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Audiologist
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Television Programmer
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Advertising Copy Writer
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Speech/Language Coach
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Literacy Program Co-ordinator
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Resettlement Officer
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Art Dealer
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Investigator
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Community Relations Manager
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Cultural Attaché
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Technical Writer
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University Registrar
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Editor
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Hospital Interpreter
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Travel Writer
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Import/Export Trader
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E.S.L. Instructor
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Marketing Analyst/Planner
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Library Technician
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Student Housing Coordinator
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Human Resources
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Proofreader
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Sales Representative
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Speech Pathologist
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Teacher/Educator
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Staffing Specialist
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Multicultural Relations Manager
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Overseas Manager
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Air Traffic Controller
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Curriculum Developer
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Festival Co-ordinator
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Community Activities Planner
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Foreign Investment Analyst
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Announcer
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Trade Show Organizer
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Opinion Researcher/Pollster
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Literary Agent
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International Account Manager
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International Hotel Administrator
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Information Researcher
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For more career options and job descriptions, visit the following sites:
Career Cruising - www.careercruising.com. Please contact the Career Centre at 519.884.0710 ext. 4495 or careercentre@wlu.ca for the username and password.
Career Insider (Vault) - Access through the library website at www.wlu.ca/library. Click ’Find Articles and More’, click ’Databases by Title (A-Z)’ and then ’C’ - Career Insider (Vault). You need to access this resource from a Laurier computer or through the library’s remote access service.
National Occupational Classification - www.hrsdc.gc.ca/noc
Potential Employers
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Travel/Tourism Industry
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Conference/Events Centres
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Hospitality Industry
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Publishing Organizations
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International Businesses
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Airport/Airlines
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Government
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Universities
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Media Organizations
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Advertising Agencies
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Law Enforcement Organizations
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Entertainment Industry
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Websites