Why study a foreign language?

American Sign Language (ASL) skills open up a wide range of career opportunities

• sign language interpreter in education, healthcare, legal fields & community events
• ASL teacher
• social worker for the deaf
• communication support worker
• speech/language therapist

Interpreter jobs/fields

• Office/teaching assistant: Work in schools, colleges, universities, or offices.
• Healthcare: Work in hospitals, clinics, & mental health facilities.
• Legal: Work in the courts, legal offices, & law enforcement agencies.
• Community/Events: Work at community centers, conferences, & community services. 

Education jobs/fields

• ASL teacher: Educator who teaches ASL as a foreign language or works as an instructor for the deaf. 

Social work jobs/fields

• Social worker: Professionals who provide social services & support to deaf & hard-of-hearing individuals. 

Other jobs/fields

• Video relay services (VRS): Work remotely to facilitate communication via video.
• Communication support worker: Assists with ASL communication needs in various settings.
• Speech & language therapist: Works with individuals to address communication disorders incorporating ASL. 

How to enhance your career prospects 

• Network: Connect with other ASL professionals in your field of interest.
• Gain experience: Seek internships, volunteer opportunities, and hands-on experience through organizations and community programs.
• Earn a degree: A bachelor's degree is often required or recommended for interpreter roles.
• Get certified: Pursue certification through organization like the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) to increase marketability.
• Develop cultural competence: Learn about deaf culture to improve communication and professional effectiveness.
• Stay informed: Keep up with best practices and technology, such as Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) services.

How to start studying ASL

• Register for ASL courses with the Modern Languages & Literatures Dept. (MLL).
• Start in your first semester
• Take the courses as requirements or as electives
• Inquire about independent study & internship opportunities through the MLL 

How to enhance studying a language

• Schedule regular/weekly tutoring appointments at The Modern Language Center
• Schedule early! Schedule often!
• Utilize language learning applications—ASL Bloom, Lingvano, Rocket Sign Language.
• Utilize the MLC computer lab for independent studying and practice your language skills consistently
• Ask the MLC tutors for additional language learning resources & materials 

Arabic language skills open up a wide range of career opportunities

• translation
• interpretation
• education
• diplomacy
• intelligence analysis
• journalism
• international business
• customer service
• content creation
• technology (AI)
• law
• healthcare

Language & communication jobs/fields

• Translation & interpretation: Be a translator for documents, a remote interpreter, or a role player for government or training exercises.
• Journalism & xontent: Work as a journalist, content writer, or editor for media outlets or companies.  

Education jobs/fields

• Teacher/tutor: Work as an Arabic teacher in schools or as an adjunct professor at a college, or tutor students online.  

Diplomacy & government jobs/fields

• Diplomatic agent: Pursue careers as an intelligence analyst, ambassador, or roles in foreign service.
• Immigration specialist: Work in the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services department. Help foreigners through the immigration process. Monitor immigration programs, answer questions on the immigration process and discuss different aspects of immigration law. 

Business & finance jobs/fields

• Trade & sales: Find opportunities in international trade, sales, and banking, or as a mortgage account executive. 

Other jobs/fields

• Healthcare: Roles include patient care coordinator, medical interpreter, or international patient liaison.
• Social services: Positions like caseworker or care manager are available for Arabic speakers.
• Research: Work as a researcher or analyst in fields that require language & cultural expertise.
• Technology: There are jobs in areas of AI & cloud technologies, & in content analysis.

How to enhance your career prospects 

• Gain experience: Internships and study abroad programs are great ways to build experience and cultural understanding.
• Get certified: Pursue certifications in translation or interpretation to increase your marketability.
• Network: Connect with Arabic-speaking professionals in your field of interest.
• Develop cultural competence: Supplement language skills with a deep understanding of Arabic culture.

How to start studying Arabic

• Register for Arabic language courses with the Modern Languages & Literatures Dept. (MLL).
• Start in your first semester
• Take the courses as requirements or as electives
• Inquire about independent study & internship opportunities through the MLL 

How to enhance studying a language

• Schedule regular/weekly tutoring appointments at The Modern Language Center
• Schedule early! Schedule often!
• Utilize language learning applications— Duolingo & Babbel
• Utilize the MLC computer lab for independent studying and practice your language skills consistently
• Ask the MLC tutors for additional language learning resources & materials 

Chinese language skills open up a wide range of career opportunities

• translation & interpretation
• education
• international business
• government & diplomacy
• journalism
• cultural consulting
• healthcare
• technology
• customer service

Language & communication jobs/fields

• Translator: Work with written documents, such as in legal, medical, or technical fields.
• Interpreter: Provide real-time translation in settings like conferences, legal proceedings, or medical appointments.
• Linguist: Analyze and work with language for roles like transcription, content analysis, or as a caption editor. 

Education jobs/fields

• Language teacher/tutor: Teach Mandarin to students in schools, universities, or through private tutoring, both in person & online.
• Adjunct faculty: Teach Chinese language courses at the college or university level.
• Curriculum developer: Create educational materials for Chinese language learning. 

Business & international relations jobs/fields

• International business specialist: Facilitate business between Chinese and other companies.
• Trade & sales: Work in sales or management roles that require communication with Chinese-speaking clients or markets.
• Diplomatic service officer: Work for the government in roles related to foreign affairs and international relations.
• Brand protection: Work to prevent the sale of counterfeit goods. 

Other jobs/fields

• Healthcare: Work as a medical assistant, nurse, or other healthcare professional who can communicate with Chinese-speaking patients.
• Technology: Find roles like a generative AI specialist or other tech positions that require bilingual skills.
• Journalism: Work as a journalist or editor for publications targeting Chinese-speaking audiences.
• Customer service: Act as a customer service representative for companies with a large Chinese-speaking customer base. 

How to enhance your career prospects 

• Gain proficiency: Strive for fluency in both spoken & written Chinese, specifically Mandarin.
• Gain experience: Look for internships or study abroad opportunities to gain practical experience.
• Network: Connect with professionals in language and international relations fields.
• Develop complementary skills: Learn about global markets, cross-cultural communication & the specific industry you want to work in. 

How to start studying Chinese

• Register for Chinese language courses with The Modern Languages & Literatures dept. (MLL).
• Start in your first semester
• Take the courses as requirements or as electives
• Inquire about independent study & internship opportunities through the MLL 

How to enhance studying a language

• Schedule regular/weekly tutoring appointments at The Modern Language Center
• Schedule early! Schedule often!
• Utilize language learning applications— Duolingo & Babbel
• Utilize the MLC computer lab for independent studying and practice your language skills consistently
• Ask the MLC tutors for additional language learning resources & materials 

French language skills open up a wide range of career opportunities

• translation
• interpretation
• education
• tourism
• international business
• foreign service
• law
• healthcare
• government

Language & communication jobs/fields

• Translator/Interpreter: Convert written or spoken content for legal, medical, or international relations settings.
• Technical Translator: Translate specialized documents, such as technical manuals or legal documents.

Education jobs/fields

• Teacher: Educate students of all ages in French language, grammar, and culture in schools, universities, or language institutes.
• Tutor: Provide one-on-one or group instruction in French, often with flexible hours.

Tourism & hospitality jobs/fields

• Tour guide: Lead tours in French-speaking areas, at attractions, or for international companies.]
• Hotel or restaurant staff: Work in the hospitality sector where French language skills are an asset.
• Travel specialist: Assist clients with travel plans, particularly to French-speaking destinations. 

International business & sales jobs/fields

•  International business professional: Work in roles like sales, consulting, or marketing for companies with international operations.
• Client success/support: Provide customer service and support to French-speaking clients in a variety of industries. 

Other jobs/fields

• Airlines: Work as a flight attendant or in customer service for airlines serving international routes.
• Government & international aid: Seek positions in the foreign service, as a diplomat, or with international organizations like the World Bank.
• Healthcare: Work as a bilingual health benefit representative or in other roles that require French-speaking staff.
• Legal: Find positions as a paralegal, attorney, or other legal professional that require French language skills.
• Non-profit: Work with organizations that serve French-speaking communities or focus on international development. 

How to enhance your career prospects 

• Gain experience: Internships and study abroad programs are great ways to build experience and cultural understanding.
• Gain certifications: Pursue certifications in language proficiency or in a specialized field, such as healthcare or law.
• Develop cultural competence: Understand the cultural nuances of French-speaking regions to better connect with clients and colleagues.
• Network: Connect with language and cultural organizations and professionals. 

How to start studying French

• Register for French language courses with The Modern Languages & Literatures dept.
• Start in your first semester.
• Take the courses as requirements or as electives.
• Inquire about independent study & internship opportunities through the MLL 

How to enhance studying a language

• Schedule regular/weekly tutoring appointments at The Modern Language Center
• Schedule early! Schedule often!
• Utilize language learning applications— Duolingo & Babbel
• Utilize the MLC computer lab for independent studying and practice your language skills consistently
• Ask the MLC tutors for additional language learning resources & materials 

German language skills open up a wide range of career opportunities

• translation
• interpretation
• customer service
• education
• international business
• tourism
• diplomacy
• technology
• finance
• law

Language & communication jobs/fields

• Translator & interpreter: Translate written or spoken German for corporations, government agencies, or in court settings. 

Education jobs/fields

• Teaching/Tutor: Become a German teacher or tutor, or teach English as a foreign language in a German-speaking country. 

Tourism & hospitality jobs/fields

• Tour guide/travel consultant: Work as a tour guide or travel consultant, especially for tours in German-speaking regions. 

Diplomacy & government jobs/fields

• Diplomatic agent: Pursue roles in the diplomatic service or work as an intelligence or political risk analyst.
• Immigration specialist: Work in the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services department. Help foreigners through the immigration process. Monitor immigration programs, answer questions on the immigration process and discuss different aspects of immigration law. I

International business & sales jobs/fields

• Trade & sales: Work as a sales representative, customer service representative, or export coordinator, acting as a liaison between German-speaking clients and your company.
• International partnerships: Work as a manager helping maintain strong relationships between businesses. Help increase revenue for each company and find future partnership opportunities with other businesses. 

Other jobs/fields

• Customer service: Work for companies/ organizations providing product and service information to consumers. Answer consumer questions or concerns and help resolve any product-related challenges.

Other sectors

• German fluency can also be an asset in fields like journalism, publishing, law, and automotive or engineering sectors. 

How to enhance your career prospects

• Gain experience: Internships and study abroad programs are great ways to build experience and cultural understanding.
• Gain industry-specific knowledge: Supplement your language skills with expertise in a specific industry, such as medicine, technology, or finance.
• Get certified: Pursue certifications in translation or interpretation to increase your marketability.
• Network: Connect with German-speaking professionals in your field of interest.
• Stay informed: Keep up-to-date with the economic ties between German-speaking countries and your region to identify emerging opportunities. 

How to start studying German

• Register for Italian language courses with the Modern Languages & Literatures dept.
• Start in your first semester.
• Take the courses as requirements or as electives.
• Inquire about independent study & internship opportunities through the MLL 

How to enhance studying a language

• Schedule regular/weekly tutoring appointments at The Modern Language Center
• Schedule early! Schedule often!
• Utilize language learning applications— Duolingo & Babbel
• Utilize the MLC computer lab for independent studying and practice your language skills consistently.
• Ask the MLC tutors for additional language learning resources & materials.

Italian language skills open up a wide range of career opportunities

• translation
• interpretation
• education
• customer service
• tourism
• business
• finance
• retail
• marketing
• hospitality

Language & communication jobs/fields

• Translator: Work on written documents, which can range from general to specialized fields like technical or medical translation.
• Interpreter: Help facilitate spoken communication, sometimes in-person for settings like healthcare or court, or remotely.
• Language expert: Some roles require in-depth knowledge of Italian grammar, vocabulary, and cultural context. 

Education Jobs/Fields

• Italian Teacher: Positions are available in K12 schools, universities (adjunct instructor), and language learning programs.
• Language Trainer: Roles involve teaching the Italian language to individuals or groups.
• Tutor: This can include one-on-one or online tutoring for students learning Italian.

Business & Customer-Facing Roles

• Customer Service: Positions that involve supporting Italian-speaking customers, often in retail, banking, or other client-focused industries.
• Sales: Roles in sales representative or manager positions, particularly for companies with a strong connection to the Italian market or luxury goods.
• Hospitality: Jobs in the hospitality industry, such as roles in hotels, restaurants, or tourism, can be an option.

Other Jobs/Fields

• Cultural and tourism: Careers as a tour guide, cultural program coordinator, or in roles within cultural institutions.
• Content creation: Opportunities for freelance or contract work such as writing, editing, or voice acting in Italian.
• Specialized fields: Roles in specific industries like fashion (e.g., at brands like Zegna or Armani), finance, or even healthcare require Italian language skills. 

How to enhance your career prospects

• Gain experience: Internships and study abroad programs are great ways to build experience and cultural understanding.
• Get certified: Pursue certifications in translation or interpretation to increase your marketability.
• Network: Connect with Italian-speaking professionals in your field of interest.
• Stay informed: Keep up-to-date with the economy on Italian-speaking industries to identify emerging opportunities. 

How to start studying Italian

• Register for Italian language courses with the Modern Languages & Literatures dept.
• Start in your first semester.
• Take the courses as requirements or as electives.
• Inquire about independent study & internship opportunities through the MLL 

How to enhance studying a language

• Schedule regular/weekly tutoring appointments at The Modern Language Center
• Schedule early! Schedule often!
• Utilize language learning applications— Duolingo & Babbel
• Utilize the MLC computer lab for independent studying and practice your language skills consistently.
• Ask the MLC tutors for additional language learning resources & materials.

Japanese language skills open up a wide range of career opportunities

• translation
• interpretation
• international business
• education
• tourism
• media
• technology

Language & communication jobs/fields

• Translation & interpretation: Work as a professional translator for documents or an interpreter for live conversations, which can be freelance or in-house.   

Education jobs/fields 

• Teaching: Teach the Japanese language or work as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher in a Japanese-speaking environment.  

Healthcare jobs/fields

• Healthcare: Work as a medical translator, therapist, or home health aide for Portuguese-speaking patients. 

International business & customer service jobs/fields

• Trade & sales: Utilize language skills in roles like sales, purchasing, investor relations, or as a project manager for companies doing business with Japan.
• Project management: Oversee projects among different industries and diverse stakeholders. Help manage risk opportunities utilizing software and collaboration with senior management.
• Finance: Support communication with global teams and businesses. Manage financial transactions, prepare reports and conduct audits.

Tourism & hospitality jobs/fields

• Tour guide/travel consultant: Work in roles such as tour operations, or in hotels and other customer-facing positions that cater to Japanese tourists.   

Other jobs/fields

• Technology: Find roles in IT support, content cr ation, localization for games & media, AI training, or as a developer advocate for Japanese markets.
• Other sectors: Opportunities exist in journalism diplomacy, customer service & science & engineering for those with advanced Japanese language skills.   

How to enhance your career prospects

• Gain experience: Internships and study abroad programs are great ways to build experience & cultural understanding.
• Specialize: Developing expertise in a specific industry, such as finance, technology, or life sciences, can make you a more valuable candidate.
• Network: Connect with professionals in Japanese-related fields to learn about opportunities & build connections.
• Continuously learn: Develop a cultural competence and keep your language skills sharp. Consider obtaining certifications like the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).   

How to start studying Japanese

• Register for Portuguese language courses with The Modern Languages & Literatures dept.
• Start in your first semester.
• Take the courses as requirements or as electives.
• Inquire about independent study & internship opportunities through the MLL 

How to enhance studying a language

• Schedule regular/weekly tutoring appointments at The Modern Language Center
• Schedule early! Schedule often!
• Utilize language learning applications— Duolingo & Babbel
• Utilize the MLC computer lab for independent studying and practice your language skills consistently
• Ask MLC tutors for additional language learning resources & materials 

Portuguese language skills open up a wide range of career opportunities

• translation
• interpretation
• international business
• customer service
• education
• tourism
• healthcare
• finance
• diplomacy
• roles in multinational companies, NGOs and government agencies

Language & communication jobs/fields

• Translator/Interpreter: Work in areas like document review, subtitling, or court and medical interpretation.
• Bilingual Customer Service/Sales: Assist customers or sell products to Portuguese-speaking clients in roles like customer success management, account representation, or sales development 

Education jobs/fields 

• Teacher: Work in schools or work in student support services.
• Tutor: Assist students at various language levels from academic institutions to one-on-one support

Healthcare jobs/fields

• Healthcare: Work as a medical translator, therapist, or home health aide for Portuguese-speaking patients. 

International business & customer service jobs/fields

• International business/sales: Work in international sales, private banking, or as a business consultant for companies with operations or clients in Portuguese-speaking countries.
• Diplomacy & government: Pursue careers in embassies, consulates, or international relations.
• Finance: Work as a personal banker, financial advisor, or client service associate. 

Other jobs/fields

• Technology: Become an associate solutions engineer or forward deployed engineer in companies with a presence in Brazil.
• Developer advocate: Create localized content and engage with communities for software and technology companies.
• Tourism & hospitality: Serve as a tour guide, hotel manager, or in other roles within the hospitality industry. 

How to enhance your career prospects

• Gain experience: Internships and study abroad programs are great ways to build experience and cultural understanding.
• Gain certifications: Pursue certifications in language proficiency or in a specialized field, such as healthcare or law.
• Develop cultural competence: Understand the cultural nuances of Portuguese-speaking regions to better connect with clients and colleagues.
• Network: Connect with language & cultural organizations/professionals. Combining language skills with expertise in fields like law, technology, or healthcare can increase marketability. 

How to start studying Portuguese

• Register for Portuguese language courses with The Modern Languages & Literatures dept.
• Start in your first semester.
• Take the courses as requirements or as electives.
• Inquire about independent study & internship opportunities through the MLL 

How to enhance studying a language

• Schedule regular/weekly tutoring appointments at The Modern Language Center
• Schedule early! Schedule often!
• Utilize language learning applications— Duolingo & Babbel
• Utilize the MLC computer lab for independent studying and practice your language skills consistently
• Ask MLC tutors for additional language learning resources & materials 

Spanish language skills open up a wide range of career opportunities

• education
• business media
• arts
• healthcare
• translation

Education jobs/fields

• Teacher: Teach in K-12 schools, universities, or through private tutoring.
• Tutor: Provide one-on-one or group tutoring in Spanish.
• AI trainer: Some roles focus on training AI models using Spanish-language data.

Translator/interpreter jobs/fields

• Translator/interpreter: Work as a translator for documents or as an interpreter in legal, medical, or business settings. 

Healthcare jobs/fields

• Medical interpreter: Facilitate communication between Spanish-speaking patients and healthcare professionals.
• Clinician/social worker: Provide services to Spanish-speaking communities in roles like a clinical social worker, family interviewer, or pediatrician.
• Healthcare professional: Many roles in healthcare, such as nursing and physician assistant, are enhanced by bilingual skills. 

Business & customer service jobs/fields

• Customer service representative: Assist Spanish-speaking customers in call centers or other customer-facing roles.
• Sales representative: Work in sales roles, particularly those with a bilingual requirement.
• Human resources: Support a diverse workforce in various human resources roles.
• Banking: Work in banking, as a bank clerk or in other financial services.
• Management/operations: Roles in management, such as hospitality management, or operations roles in various industries benefit from Spanish skills. 

Other jobs/fields

• Journalism & media: Work in journalism, media, or social media, writing and editing for Spanish-speaking audiences.
• Tourism: Become a tour guide for Spanish-speaking tourists.
• Legal: Find work in legal settings, such as an immigration paralegal or legal assistant.
• Arts & entertainment: Roles like musician, choreographer, or other performers can use Spanish skills. 

How to enhance your career prospects 

• Gain experience: Internships and study abroad programs are great ways to build experience and cultural understanding.
• Gain certifications: Pursue certifications in language proficiency or in a specialized field, such as healthcare or law.
• Develop cultural competence: Understand the cultural nuances of Spanish-speaking regions to better connect with clients and colleagues.
• Network: Connect with language and cultural organizations and professionals. 

How to start studying Spanish

• Register for Spanish language courses with The Modern Languages & Literatures Dept. (MLL).
• Start in your first semester
• Take the courses as requirements or as electives
• Apply for the Spanish major, minor, and/or Translation & Interpretation Certificate program.
• Inquire about independent study & internship opportunities through the MLL 

How to enhance studying a language

• Schedule regular/weekly tutoring appointments at The Modern Language Center
• Schedule early! Schedule often!
• Utilize language learning applications— Duolingo & Babbel
• Utilize the MLC computer lab for independent studying and practice your language skills consistently
• Ask MLC tutors for additional language learning resources & materials