Careers
“I
was hired for a Humanitarian Grants Coordinator position for the Central/South
America division so I guess it actually IS possible to use a Spanish degree
in a real job!”
- Jenna, UIUC Spanish Graduate
Spanish Majors are prepared for a wide variety of careers in education, politics, foreign service, the helping professions, travel and tourism, and communication.
Business
Spanish can be a very important asset in international business relations. Proficiency in more than one language opens up many opportunities for doing business with international companies. Many business jobs require traveling to different areas or countries where it is crucial to be able to speak more than one language. Starting salaries of bilingual applicants usually are greater than those who just speak English. Spanish can bring added success for any future business man or woman.
To add business to your Spanish degree at UIUC, there are two basic approaches:
• Apply for the official business minor through the College of Business
• Work with the Spanish advisor to create a business cognate—15 hours of business-related courses.
• Consider the Global Business Culture Certificate offered by CIBER. Often when you complete business coursework and study abroad for the Spanish major, you are well on your way to completing this certificate.
Websites for additional Information:
- http://www.latpro.com/ - Spanish and Bilingual Jobs
- http://www.strictlyspanish.com/opportun.htm- Spanish Translation Jobs
**Note on Translation Jobs
Spanish translators are bilingual linguists who intimately know the two languages. They are also skilled writers who have studied years in college learning the extreme details of the English and the Spanish language.
Health Care
All health care professionals benefit from being able to speak Spanish. In the event of emergencies, it can be a matter of life or death if a Spanish speaking person is injured and no translators are present. When a nurse or doctor can assist the patients immediately without a language barrier, Spanish can truly save lives.
Websites for additional information:
- Health Career Information - from MEDLINEplus; a complete listing of health careers including art therapist, athletic trainers, and genetic counseling.
- Medical Career Finder- take a short test to help you determine the medical career that is right for you
- MedEd Careers- from the American Medical Association
- Health professions- complete reference guide of medical professions and the schools across the nation that offer the courses necessary to obtain these careers.
- UIUC Pre-health Career Advising
Government/Law and Law enforcement
Many job opportunities are available on both the local and national levels. Law officials who are bilingual can communicate better with the Spanish-speaking population. The Commerce Department, as well as any department working in international relations, requires Spanish speakers to work as translators, linguists, diplomats, or ambassadors. Many opportunities await prospective government employees.
A sample job opportunity could be:
Job Title: Translator
Employer: Federal Bureau of Investigation
Requirements: Fluency in Spanish or other foreign languages.
Description: Work involves document translation and oral communication translation. Travel is required.
Websites for additional information:
Other Opportunities
Spanish is an important asset that can benefit any future professional. Bilingual teachers are in great demand with the large increase of Hispanic students in the United States . Attorneys, writers, journalists, counselors, and more can all benefit by being able to speak Spanish.
Sample Career:
Job Title: Bilingual Flight Attendant
Employer: United Airlines
Requirements: Fluency in both English and second language. At least 19 years old with at least a high school diploma. Must possess valid passport and be willing to relocate.
Description: Attendants enjoy generous travel benefits, flexible scheduling and the chance to work with world class customers.
Contact: www.ual.com/jobs
Websites for Further Information:
- UIUC Pre-law Advising
- American Association of Language Specialists
- American Communication Association
- American Translators Association
- Modern Language Association
- National Association for Bilingual Education