|
What can I do with my degree?
Is there a demand for
someone with an English or a foreign language degree?
How does your program
prepare graduates for successful careers?
What can
I do with my degree?
Because of a strong liberal arts foundation in
the English, Foreign Language and Journalism programs, the
list of career opportunities for someone with a degree in these
fields is long and varied.
Graduates in English or journalism may
become writers or editors for a variety of publications, market
researchers, analysts, labor relations specialists, managers,
publishers, curators, playwrights, teachers, radio commentators
and more.
Graduates with foreign language degrees
have pursued careers in communications, business, education,
government service, information services, science, social services
and the travel industry. Other career possibilities include
interpreters, international telephone operators, foreign news
correspondents, translators, film producers and editors, public
relations experts, working for an international firm, U.S.
Customs agents, U.S. Naturalization Service agents, law enforcement
officers, research librarians, authors, teachers, research,
management, airline flight attendants, tourist guides and travel
agents.
Students in all of the department's degree areas
often continue their education to earn advanced degrees in
a variety of fields.
top of page
Is there
a demand for someone with an English or a foreign language
degree?
Employment of writers and editors is expected
to grow
about as fast as the average for all occupations
through the year 2012. Opportunities
should be best for technical writers and those with training
in a specialized field. Employment of interpreters and translators
is projected to grow
faster than the average for all occupations over
the 2002-2012 period. (Excerpted from
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-2005).
Many employers are seeking job candidates who
can speak a foreign language and have knowledge of foreign
cultures because so many businesses have international ties
and because of the increase in foreign language speakers in
the United States.
One of the most momentous developments to happen
for languages in the United States is the recent creation of
the Defense Language Transformation Roadmap, a “plan
to overhaul military policy, doctrine and organizations to
improve the diversity of foreign languages spoken in the armed
forces; enhance the proficiency of linguists; and create new
military sources of foreign language expertise outside the
Defense Department.”
Consequently, the Defense Department
will require all junior officers to complete a foreign language
course. Eventually, all general officer and flag officer candidates
will have to be bilingual.
top of page
How does
your program prepare graduates for successful careers?
Students in our programs learn how to think and
how to do, which is essential to success. A strong liberal
arts foundation is enhanced by majors courses that are small,
intense and focused on knowledge and skills students need in
their careers or in graduate school. The professors who teach
most of the majors classes have been at Western for an average
of 15 years, have doctoral degrees and experience in the field.
Several have published books in their fields.
Hands-on learning is a key component for our
degrees, from the classroom or computer lab, to on-campus publication
experiences or off-campus internships, to study-abroad opportunities.
Professors work very closely with their students, advising
them on courses and careers.
You can expect to be prepared for a wide range
of careers that suit your interests and the ever-changing job
market.
top of page
|
