Contrary to popular opinion, language graduates are not limited to teaching and translating. Far from it in fact, as there is a huge range of jobs at your disposal if you are fluent in a foreign language.
Language jobs at home...
Not all language graduates have dreams of living abroad, and are happy putting their foreign language skills to use whilst staying firmly on home soil.
Media and publishing – Media organisations have offices across the globe, and with communication being key to the majority of media jobs, foreign language skills can put you at an advantage. The BBC World Service is well-known for its unique programmes in a variety of languages and news agencies such as Reuters or Bloomberg require their foreign correspondents to possess both language skills and knowledge of culture and business.
Museums – Language graduates could work as modern language specialists in a regional department of a museum. Major museums such as The British Museum have regional departments including Oriental and Western European, where specific languages can be of utmost importance.
MI5 – Listed as one of the coolest graduate jobs in yesterday’s article, language skills are highly valued in the secret service. Part of your job could consist of listening out for vital clues in telephone calls intercepted under warrant, helping to keep communities safe and preventing threats to national security from being realised.
...and abroad
For jetsetter language graduates, working abroad may well be on the cards for you, and there are a number of exciting roles out there.
European Union – fluency in foreign languages could land you a job with the European Commission’s interpreting service.
Post graduate qualifications might be helpful to help you stand out among the fierce competition. Other language-based roles in the EU could see you living and working in Brussels or Strasbourg.
Hospitality and tourism sector – This industry offers a lot of part-time and casual work, and could be a stepping stone if you are having problems finding a full-time job. There are a number of options available: you could work with tour operators, travel agencies, ferry operators, airlines and tourist boards, to name but a few.