Romance Language Major to Career
Transcript of Romance Language Major to Career
Errol WintCareer Advisor
The University of Michigan Ann-Arbor
Sociology English Chemistry Kinesiology Math Spanish Anthropology
Director for Risk Management/Trading
Head Women’s Basketball Coach
Director of Conference and Event Services
Technical Account Manager
VP for Global Operations
Marketing Assistant Pharmaceutical Sales
Representative
Communication Skills
◦ Reading and writing another language
◦ Explaining complex concepts
◦ Writing clearly and carefully
Analysis
◦ Reading and thinking critically AND
◦ Assessing evidence YOU SPEAK
◦ Interpreting Data ANOTHER
Interpersonal LANGUAGE!!!
◦ Adapting to other cultures
◦ Working as part of a team
◦ Listening Carefully
Research/Project Development
◦ Compiling and recording data
◦ Summarizing ideas
◦ Evaluating research results
What skills/qualities do you have to offer?◦ Not just language skills, you offer so much more!
What are your personal values?◦ Industries
◦ Standard of Living
◦ Geographic needs/preferences
Exploring-term and short-term
Recognize your preferred skills◦ What do you want to use on the
job and how often?
What skills have YOU gained in the classroom, extracurricular, jobs, internships?
Communication Skills
Research
Innovation and Ideas
TeamworkSolving
Complex Problems
Analyzing Data
Communication Skills
Critical Thinking Skills
Leadership Skills
Teamwork Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Creativity and Innovation
Confident oral presentation skills. ◦ Speaking and presenting ideas in a foreign
language provides the opportunity to develop your presentation skills and increases confidence in native language communication.
Effective writing skills. ◦ Writing powerful essays and reports in foreign
language that focus on diverse people/groups.
Conveying ideas clearly and concisely◦ Through consolidating different points of view and
re interpreting them to create your own.
Gain the ability to solve problems and think creatively about potential solutions. ◦ When you speak your language and get stuck on a
word, how do you figure out other ways to communicate?
Comparing and contrasting ideas and information◦ Having to compare between English and your
language, the process of translating, you have gained a skill in breaking down concepts critically.
1. Analytical Skills
2. Communication Skills - verbal and
written
3. Computer Skills
4. Creativity
5. Detail-Oriented
6. Entrepreneurial Skills/Risk-Taker
7. Flexibility/Adaptability
8. Motivation/initiative
9. Honesty/Integrity
10. Interpersonal Skills
11. Leadership/Management Skills
12. Motivation/Initiative
13. Organizational and Time
Management Skills
14. Real Life Experiences
15. Self-Confidence
16. Strong Work Ethic
17. Tactfulness
18. Teamwork Skills
19. Technical Skills
20. Well-mannered/Polite
The Top 20 Skills Employers Seek in
Candidates
(NACE, 2007)
Employers are interested in RLL majors for the skills sets you develop both in and outside of the classroom!
Knowing another language gives you a REAL advantage.
Employers value your skills, passion and interests, regardless of the specific major you choose.
You are employable and have a world of opportunity available to you!
Community Improvement
Spanish Use
Leadership and
Persuasion
Health Issues
In’tl Travel
Research
How I Want to Use My Language
Language as a Primary Skill in Career
◦ This means that you are using the language everyday; you could not do your job w/o your foreign language knowledge.
◦ Usually requires a high level of fluency
Language as an Auxiliary Skill in Career
◦ This means you are using others skills alongside your language skill, and your language use is intermittent.
My Interest and My Career
Using Holland’s General Occupational Themes
REALISTIC
INVESTIGATIVE
ARTISTIC
SOCIAL
ENTERPRISING
CONVENTIONAL
Language Teacher◦ K-12, College, Private Schools, Professional
Language Schools, Government
Translator◦ Translation Agencies, Publishers, Airlines, Law
Firms, Shipping Companies, Travel Agencies, Foundations
Interpreter◦ Government, Hospitals, Judicial Branch, Business
Education Administration◦ Corporate programs, university programs, non-for
profit organizations
Business Education Non-For-Profit
Human Resources
Entertainment
Government Publishing
HealthCare Law
Banking
Journalism Broadcasting
Arts and Entertainment
Education Administration
Advertising
Realistic
•Hands-on
Building/Fixing
•Mechanical and
likes to use
tools
•Enjoy nature
and the
outdoors
•Enjoy physical
activity
including sports
and athletics
Investigative
•Enjoy figuring
out how things
work and why
•Enjoy using
science and
math to
analyze and
solve problems
•Enjoy theory
and research
Artistic
•Enjoy art,
design,
creativity and
self expression
•Often
imaginative and
original
Social
•Enjoy helping
others
•Enjoy working
in groups
•Have idealistic
values or
assisting,
coaching or
empowering
others
Enterprising
•Enjoy leading
and persuading
others
•Often value
status and
wealth
•Tend to be
competitive and
are excited
about taking
risks
Conventional
•Enjoy
organizing
numbers and
information
•Enjoy working
with computers
and data
•Value accuracy,
dependability,
and stability
Realistic
•DEA / FBI Agent (R)
•Police Officer (R)
•Military/Department of
Defense (REC)
•Emergency Medical
Technician (RI)
•Automobile Mechanic (R)
•Chef (RE)
Investigative
•Health Researcher (IA)
•Social Scientist (IA)
•University Spanish
Professor (IAS)
•Translator (IA)
Artistic
•Advertising Account
Manager (AE)
•Broadcast Journalist (AE)
•Urban and Regional
Planner (AI)
•Attorney (A)
•Corporate Trainer (AES)
•ESL Teacher (ASI)
•Sociologist (AI)
•Translator (AI)
•Interpreter (AS)
•Librarian (A)
Social
•Foreign Language Teacher
(SA)
•Community Service
Director (SE)
•Social Worker (SA)
•Speech Pathologist (SA)
•College Instructor (S)
•Higher Ed. Administrator-
International Affairs- (SEC)
•Journalism/Media
Communication (SAI)
•International Relations
Representative (SAI)
Enterprising
•Marketing Manager (EA)
•Flight Attendant (EAS)
•Elected Public Official (ESA)
•Fundraising/Development
•Human Resources Manager
(ES)
•Travel Consultant ( ECA)
•Realtor (E)
•Chef (ER)
•Operations Manager (E)
•Fundraising/Development
(EA)
Conventional
•Paralegal (CA)
•Financial Advisors/Bank
Teller (CE)
•Loan Officer (CE)
•Administrative Assistant
(C)
•Archivist or Curator (CI)
•Human Resource Manager
(CS)
Based on 2007-2008 follow up data for graduating WS seniors:
◦ 95% were employed or in graduate programs 6 months after graduation
93% were employed in meaningful work experiences (85% indicated their position had some career potential)
26% continued their education
◦ Most common fields of employment were Education, Consulting, Non-Profit, Health Care and Law/Paralegal
◦ Most common locations for employment were Michigan, New York, California, Illinois, and International
◦ Average salary was $30,000-$40,000/year
◦ Of the successfully employed, 41% began their job search 6+ months before graduation and 56% had at least one internship
Of those continuing their education, 28% are pursuing Master’s programs, 58% are in professional programs (Medical/Law), 7% are in Ph.D. programs and 7% are completing a second Bachelor’s degree
Most common graduate programs for students continuing their education include Education, Law, Medicine, Social Work, Library Science, and Biological Science Public Health, Education, Social Work, and Nursing
Career ResearchResources
Occupational Outlook Handbook
O-Net Online
Vault Career Library
Hoover’s First Research
Hands On Research Informational
Interviews Career Center Library Internships Extracurricular
Activities Free Elective Courses
Family
Friends
Alumni
Career Center Staff
Professional Organizations
Online Social Networks
Past Supervisors/Advisors
Your resume is your professional calling card
Cover letters should indicate interest and showcase transferable skills
Create a resume and cover letters using Optimal Resume & Optimal Letters (https://umich.optimalresume.com/)
Resume & cover letter critiques available via Career Center Advising
Use Multiple Resources◦ Networking
Job Shadowing
Informational Interviews
◦ Career Center Connector (C3)
◦ Job/Internship Fairs
Internship Fair 1/20
Government and Non For Profit Career Expo: 2/10
◦ Job and Organization Websites
◦ Job Guides (Visit the Career Center Library)
◦ Field-specific professional associations
Resume & Cover Letter
Transcripts (when required)
References
Writing Samples (when required)
Application Forms
FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS!
Follow-up a 2-3 weeks after sending materials
Practice interviewing via Optimal Interview (https://umich.optimalresume.com/)
Interviews will typically happen by phone
Watch phone & e-mail etiquette
Write thank you notes
Spend a Semester Abroad!
◦ Employers love it and it enhances your language ability
Secure a summer or semester long internship
◦ Get experience to supplement your academics
Identify Your Interest, Explore Them Through Classes
Explore them through extracurricular activities.
Research occupations in languages
Browse job postings
Connect with the culture
Career Center website www.careercenter.umich.edu◦ Explore further your career path (see
resources hand-out)◦ Come and visit a Career Counselor at our
office! We offer call-ahead advising 11AM-5PM,
Monday-Friday (734)764-7460 Advising sessions are 20 minutes Counseling sessions are 30 minutes -1
hour◦ Career Assessment Tools The Strong Interest Inventory and Myers
Briggs Type Indicator Gain insight on possible career paths and
steps toward pursuing it.
Errol WintCareer Advisor, The University of Michigan Ann-ArborThe Career [email protected]