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What job can I get with a Diploma in French, German, Japanese or Spanish?

Was your hobby learning foreign languages? Are you armed with diplomas in at least two or three of them? Well, the time has come to put them to good use. You can actually earn plenty of money if your skills have not rusted. People with knowledge of foreign languages are suddenly in demand in various fields. So, brush up those skills and look below for the many options that have opened up for you!

Your possible options lie in Translating and Interpretation, Journalism and Broadcasting, Linguistics, Civil Services, Foreign Services, Dept. of Immigration, Customs, Intelligence and Law Enforcement Departments of the government which is one of the largest employers of people with foreign language skills.

Not too excited about joining government services? You can try the Arts, Media and Entertainment fields. Your skills can get you jobs in Advertising, Translation and Interpretation, Journalism and Broadcasting, Publishing and Editing and Public Relations.

Museums, Foreign news agencies, Book publishers, Television networks, Radio stations, Movie companies also employ people with language skills. You would do well to learn and familiarize yourself with the customs and culture of the country where your choice of language of study is primarily spoken. If you have studied or worked abroad, it is an added attraction. Keep up with developments abroad by reading international newspapers now freely available on the Net.

Industry and Commerce are other spheres where you can expect to be employed. Again, Translation and Interpretation, Banking and Finance, Sales, Customer Services, Manufacturing, Technical Services, Research, Consulting, Administrative Services and Import and Export companies are perpetually in need of people skilled in foreign languages.
Gaining experience by interning or with a work-abroad programme will help you. Study and research about which business houses are interacting with countries in which your language of study is spoken. This research will do you good when you approach that particular company for a job.

Other prospective employers include, Airline Services, Travel Agencies, Booking and Reservations, Tour and Excursion companies, Hotels, Restaurants, Resorts, Cruise lines, Convention Centres and specialised Guide services. Arm yourself with a course in Hotel administration. Brush up your knowledge of geography. Attend a travel related course. Office skills and ability to handle computers are very important. Interpretation skills are in great demand for simultaneous translations, conferences, literary gatherings and medical translations.

It is very important for you to develop written and oral communication skills in English. Put up notices in schools, hospitals, chambers of commerce about your availability to translate and interpret for international visitors. This will allow you to freelance in this field. Teachers of the English language are in great demand abroad, so you could consider teaching English to non-English speaking people. When you are learning a foreign language, try to speak in that language as much as possible with native speakers. This way, you will learn the nuances of the language. Again, specialisation is the key. If you can learn a language thoroughly in specific fields like medicine or law you may find it easier to get a job. Be familiar with the cultural base of your language i.e. literature, art, politics and also cultural traditions. A recognized certificate from an organization like the Alliance Francaise or Max Mueller Bhavan will make your career path easier.

Some general pointers

• When you learn a foreign language, choose an additional academic area of study to supplement your knowledge. Preferably, your study should require a high degree of technical skill which will be of use to you in your career field.
• You should also study related courses like geography, history, foreign relations, world economics and international law.
• Choose to study a language which will be useful to your chosen career path.
• Spanish, French, German, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Italian and Arabic are some of the popular languages chosen for study.
• If you can become an Exchange student, you will be able to learn different cultures.
• Keep in touch with the language you have learnt. Read on a regular basis newspapers, books and magazines.
• Attend foreign language movie festivals and listen to foreign broadcasts.
• Initially, volunteer to work with community organizations with your language skills.
• Correspond with a pen pal in a country that speaks the language you have chosen to study.
• Research on the Net to find out prospective employers of jobs where foreign language skills are utilized.