Government

• Translation/Interpretation
• Journalism/Broadcasting
• Linguistics
• Diplomacy
• Civil service
• Foreign service
• Immigration/Naturalization
• Customs
• Intelligence/Law enforcement

Employers

• Federal government organizations including: overseas aid agencies
• Intelligence and law enforcement agencies: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, Drug Enforcement Administration
• Department of State
• Immigration and Naturalization Service
• Customs Service
• Library of Congress
• Armed forces
• Voice of America

Information & Strategies

• Learn federal, state, and local job application procedures.
• Plan to attend a specialized school that teaches foreign languages.
• Join armed forces as a way to get experience.
• The government is one of the largest employers of people with foreign language skills.

Arts, Media, Entertainment

• Advertising
• Translation/Interpretation
• Journalism/Broadcasting
• Publishing/Editing
• Public relations

Employers

• Museums
• Foreign news agencies
• Book publishers
• TV networks
• Radio stations
• Film companies

Information & Strategies

• Learn about the customs and culture of the country in which your language of study is primarily spoken.
• Spend time studying or working abroad.
• Read international newspapers to keep up with developments overseas.

Industry and Commerce

• Translation/Interpretation
• Banking/Finance
• Sales
• Customer services
• Manufacturing
• Engineering/Technical
• Research
• Operations management
• Consulting
• Imports/Exports
• Administrative services

Employers

• Banks/Financial institutions
• Import/Export companies
• Foreign firms operating in the U.S.
• American firms operating in foreign countries
• Manufacturers
• Retail stores

Information & Strategies

• Supplement coursework with business classes.
• Gain experience through an internship or work abroad program.
• Find out which companies do business with the countries in which your language of study is spoken.
• Be prepared to start in a position in the U.S. working for a firm with an overseas presence. Very few entry level positions are available in international business.

Travel and Tourism

• Translation/Interpretation
• Airline services
• Management
• Booking and reservations
• Travel services/Guidance

Employers

• Tour and excursion companies
• Travel agencies
• Hotels/Motels
• Resorts
• Restaurants
• Airlines/Airports
• Cruise lines
• Railroads
• Bus lines
• Convention centers

Information & Strategies

• Take courses in hotel/restaurant administration.
• Get a part-time job in a hotel or restaurant to gain experience.
• Spend some time abroad to learn the traditions of fine dining, wines, etc.
• Brush up on your knowledge of geography.
• Plan to attend a travel school.
• Develop office skills such as typing, organizing, and working with computers.
• Read international newspapers to keep up with overseas developments.

Interpretation/Translation

• Simultaneous
• Consecutive
• Conference
• Escort/Guide
• Judiciary

• Literary
• Localization
• Medical

Employers

• Freelance
• Educational services
• Business services
• Government agencies
• Healthcare organizations
• International organizations
• Courts
• Publishers

Information & Strategies

• Develop a "near perfect" knowledge of a second language. Seek out any opportunity to converse with native speakers to better learn the language.
• Gain experience through internships or volunteering.
• Learn a third language for great job opportunities.
• Develop aptitude with computers and the internet.
• Most people who work in this field freelance. Freelancers who have expertise in a particular area such as law or medicine may find more opportunities.
• Seek certification or accreditation from an interpretation/translation organization.

Service and Education

• Translation/Interpretation
• Teaching
• Educational administration
• Linguistics
• Civil service
• Social work
• Mission work
• Library science
• Health services

Employers

• Hospitals
• Religious and volunteer organizations
• International organizations
• Law enforcement agencies
• Social service agencies
• Universities/Colleges
• Preschools
• K-12 schools
• Professional language schools
• English language institutes
• Overseas dependents' schools

Information & Strategies

• Obtain state teacher licensure for K-12 teaching.
• Develop superior written and oral communication skills in the English language including proper sentence structure and comprehensive vocabulary.
• Notify local hospitals, schools, and chambers of commerce of your availability to translate or interpret for international visitors.
• Minor or double major in another subject that you could also teach.
• Consider teaching English in another country.
• Obtain a graduate degree for college or university teaching opportunities.
• Get experience by becoming a teacher assistant or tutor.
• Be familiar with the cultural base of your language (literature, art, politics, etc.) as well as with cultural traditions.
• Specialize in an area of research.
• Plan to take both written and oral examinations to become an interpreter.
• Get a part-time job teaching English as a second language.
• Volunteer with government programs such as Peace Corps or VISTA.