Jobs involving languages

[reve119]

Those of you who have jobs that involve your bi/multilingualism, what do you do? If you're in school for language/linguistics/related field, what do you want to do when you're finished with school?

Comments

[kali_kali]

I'm not in school or pursuing a career at the moment (traveling long-term right now), but when I eventually return home, I plan to pursue a career as a professional genealogist. Languages help with that, since clients could have wide and varied backgrounds with records to consult in various languages.

[jillwise]

I work in customer service (in Canada) so I use French and English at work.

[deadlyapples]

Luckily, I'm a freshman in high school, so I have some time to think about what I want to do, but I've always wanted to become a Foreign Service Officer (aka a diplomat). From what I've read though, its really difficult to land that kind of job.

[shydescending]

I was JUST reading about this. I'm assuming you're American, and if you haven't found this already, the State Dept website has some great info on the different career tracks (including a quiz to see which one you might be suited for) as well as some recommended books on life in the Foreign Service.

You're young and you have tons of time to prepare if this is the job you want. I'm 23 and I'm only just discovering some things I wish I had known about when I was your age (man I swore I'd never say that to anyone) so I could've adequately prepared.

[deadlyapples]

Yes, I'm American, and apparently, I'm best suited for a Consular job (one where I would help Americans abroad with passports, etc) or a Political Officer job (where I would negotiate with diplomats in the country I'm in).

And right now I'm sort of doing the best I can to prepare for it as a job, by taking language and government classes at school, dabbling in Russian outside of school (its a critical needs language, so my chances of getting hired are better if I'm proficient in it), and just studying politics and foreign affairs.

[shydescending]

I came up with the Consular track too, which is apparently where they have the most need, so that will help you also. Good luck!

[sparkofcreation]

Interpreter, as you know.

[lacunaz]

Do you mind if I ask you about interpretation? It's something I really want to get into, and I'm curious about how to get there. Do you mind sharing your experience?

[suyongli]

Currently, I teach French at university. At least one of my language-class colleagues now works in a bilingual law firm, and some of them are now high school French teachers. Several work in different government departments (Customs, Education, Immigration, Attorney-General, etc) and another one works at a national TV station.