Having studied languages for several years many of you want to continue with
a foreign language in a future career. There is a lot of information to help
you choose a career that would enable you to use a foreign language either
as a major or minor part of a job. You may want to have a look at what options
you have with your degree in Modern Languages.
Unemployment rates among new language graduates are low. Of all UK language
graduates, six months out of university, 53% were working in the UK and just
over half of these were in graduate-level jobs. A further 11% found work abroad.
More information can be obtained from the
destinations of language graduates
nationally or for
destinations of Liverpool graduates.
Many employers value graduates offering a second or third language even if the vacancy does not require a language degree. For example in a marketing role you could be speaking to customers or suppliers across Europe, as a Buyer you could be awarding contracts to European manufacturers or as a Customer Services Adviser you could be dealing with enquiries from throughout the world from clients and companies. If you worked for an international company then after training in the UK it is possible to move to an office overseas. Past graduates have worked in for example the Geneva office of an Accountancy firm, a Law Firm's Office in Paris or an Engineering company in Germany. The Careers & Employability Service has a leaflet called "Employment Opportunities for Students with Modern Languages" that gives details of those employers who are interested in students with language skills.
An ability in languages is increasingly valued by a wide range of employers across all sectors, and puts you in a very good position in today's job market. Employers recognize that a degree including the study of modern languages is evidence not only of wide cultural experience but also of other personal transferable skills needed in employment
During your degree, you will develop the self-confidence:
A survey at Portsmouth University in September 2000 found that 86% of students who undertook a year abroad felt it had helped them get a job.
Most language graduates would like to use their languages, but few students
go directly into careers in which a language degree is essential - such as
translating, interpreting or teaching.
Many find that they make use of their language skills and cultural knowledge
later in their career especially those who enter industry, business or some
areas of finance or journalism or take up jobs or other opportunities across
Europe
Here are some examples of some of the careers that students enter where languages
as a degree subject can help.
Travel & Tourism
Working as a courier for a tour operator, management roles in airports and
airlines, air caib crew roles or information roles in tourist boards. Average
starting salary £12,000-£16,000.
Translator
Translates documents from their original language into the language required
by the client. Translators usually produce written work in their own mother
tongue from a foreign language, and can work for agencies, as a freelance
or for a range of organisations including the Civil Service and the EU. Starting
salaries range from £16,000-£21,000.
Marketing Executive/Manager
Manages the process responsible for identifying, anticipating and satisfying
customer needs effectively and efficiently. Average starting salary from £16,000
- £21,000.
Publisher
Works on the commissioning of books, journals and magazines and is involved
in processes such as editing, design, production rights and publicity. Average
starting salary £12,000-£16,000.
Teacher
Responsible for teaching pupils and students in primary or secondary schools,
or students in FE colleges. Average starting salary from £17,000-£20,000
(in London).
English as a Foreign Language Teacher
Teaching English to foreign students in either the UK or overseas. A TEFL
qualification may be required. Average starting salary from £17,000-£20,000.
Civil Service
There are a wide range of jobs in Civil Service departments and agencies,
eg Department for Trade & Industry, The Home Office etc. There are Fast
Stream Development Programmes for graduates including one based in the Diplomatic
Service. Individual government departments and agencies set their own pay
scales and most have introduced performance-related pay. Average starting
salary from £15,000 - £20,000
Use our graduate profiles to search for jobs that recent Liverpool graduates who have studied languages are now doing.
CILT, the National Centre for Languages has a general overview of careers using languages with specific links to careers in:
More information can be found at the careers open to people studying languages web site and: