Careers
Many students majoring in foreign languages plan to teach at the kindergarten through secondary level. While you can pursue this route through the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures' Teacher Education sequence, there are many career options available for those who don't want to teach.
Knowing more than one language is a very marketable skill. Employers in the U.S. and internationally are always looking for people who can help them reach diverse clients, customers, and partners around the world. Many businesses acknowledge that given two otherwise equal candidates, they will hire the one with foreign language capability over the one without.
A language major brings an invaluable set of skills, including bilingual or multilingual abilities, as well as the analytical thinking, writing, and critical skills so essential to building a career in any field. A recent study conducted among more than 318 employers showed that these skills were relevant to employability, and that a liberal arts degree "instill(s) in students ... a set of core skills that allow them to navigate the professional world with a deftness that is required in today’s work environment" (Hart study, 2013).
A degree in a language prepares students for the following jobs:
Government/Nonprofits
- Court interpreter
- Cultural attaché
- Cultural officer
- Translator
- Customs/immigration officer
- UNESCO official
- FBI agent
- Foreign diplomat
- Foreign service officer or peacekeeper
- Social worker
- Peace Corps volunteer
Business
- Bilingual officer/teller/clerk
- Editor
- Journalist
- Interpreter
- Guide
- Foreign correspondent
- Human resources director
- International trade specialist
- Scientific translator/interpreter
- Sports agent
- Lawyer
- Linguist
- Overseas plant manager
- Pharmaceutical rep
Travel
- Travel agent
- Tour organizer
- Travel writer
- International hotel administrator
Education
- Teacher
Career Industry Liaison
| Name | Office | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Megan Ruffin | 223 Bone Student Center | mhruffi@ilstu.edu | (309) 438-2200 |
Internship Coordinator
| Name | Office | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roger Thomas | 233E Stevenson Hall | rkthoma@ilstu.edu | (309) 438-7982 |