Apr 26, 2012
— read in fullWhat can I do with a language degree?
So you think you have to move abroad to find a career in languages? Think again! A language degree can open doors to a range of careers right on your doorstep. Read on to find out more.
Studying languages teaches you more than just how to communicate in another tongue.
The skills you gain from your course, such as presenting, team working, researching and structuring an argument, lend themselves to careers in a range of sectors.
Whether it’s working for MI5, helping tourists during the 2012 Olympics or working for an international company, you don’t have to move abroad to find a career that will let you use what you’ve learned.
Check out the ideas below for inspiration on where a modern languages degree can take you.
Work for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games
Want to be an interpreter during official ceremonies? If you’re a sociable person, perhaps you’d like to greet visitors as volunteer. Whatever your preference, staff who can speak a range of foreign languages will be key to the success of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
To find an interpreting/translating job with the Olympics and Paralympics, see the end of this article for links to reputable job websites.
Become a games volunteer
More about becoming an interpreter
Work with refugees, asylum seekers or the homeless
Charities and non-governmental organisations working with vulnerable refugees, asylum seekers or homeless people need foreign language speakers to communicate with their core clients.
People who can speak French, Spanish or Eastern European languages such as Polish are in high demand.
The types of jobs you could do include a case worker, providing for the needs of specific clients and finding them accommodation and work, customer services assistant taking calls from clients, teaching English as a foreign language or doing any supporting role in a homeless hostel.
Train to teach English as a foreign language with TEFL
Check out the charities directory to find out about different homeless organisations in the UK
Join the police
Police forces in areas where there are large numbers of speakers of foreign languages are increasingly recruiting staff with language skills to help forge stronger community links.
Search all UK Police Forces to find a job
Become a spy!
Want to help protect the nation against potential terrorist threats? MI5’s language specialists translate and interpret vital intelligence to help keep the country safe from attack.
As a language specialist you would listen to and interpret a variety of spoken communications. The types of languages required include Pashto, Somali, Swahili, Sylheti, Bengali, Gujarati, Kurdish Sorani, Iraqi Arabic, Gulf States Arabic or Syrian as well as English or course!
Journalism and media
Many UK-based publications specialising in areas like finance require journalists to communicate with industries and experts abroad.
Having language skills is a distinct advantage and sometimes expected of applicants for roles with media companies, such as Bloomberg.
In the more multi-cultural areas of the UK, communities will have media in their own language, requiring people to write, film, edit or produce work in that language.
Interactive media also lends itself to speakers of foreign languages, needing people to subtitle, dub and edit versions into specific languages.
Skillset the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries.
Travel and tourism
With the weak pound, travelling to the UK has never been more attractive. The result is that opportunities to work in the travel and tourism industry are numerous.
You could work for an airline, rail or bus company, for a travel agency, hotel or even for a tour company. The types of jobs vary hugely, from writing literature for websites or guidebooks, to giving tours, customer services at airports and management roles.
You’re more likely to find jobs like these near major tourist attractions, ports or international airports.
Check out the Thebigchoice.com for more graduate jobs in travel and tourism.
Check out Prospects for more graduate jobs in travel and tourism.
Work for The London Underground which is starting to recruit more staff with foreign language skills.
Business services
With the growth in technology, UK based businesses are increasingly working with international clients.
From market research to headhunting, management and consultancy, there are thousands of firms for which staff with excellent foreign languages skills are crucial.
Visit the Market Research Society
Or check out any reliable job website such as Monster or Guardian Jobs
Related links
- The UK National Resource Centre for international careers information.
- Career development for life
- Find an interpreting or translation agency
Your shout!
Do you know of any other interesting UK-based jobs which require modern languages? Share your thoughts by posting a comment using the link below.
