1. Careers with Languages take you further Marie Da Silva, Careers Consultant, Careers & Employability Services, The Open University 30th June, 2018

2. Today’s session
What do language graduates do?
Career options with a languages degree or fluency in another language
The job market for linguists
Benefits to your career of language skills

4. What can I do with my languages degree?

5. What do graduates do? 2017/18 HECSU

6. What does this tell us about language graduates?
“The grasp of foreign languages and experience of foreign field trips are likely to increase the confidence of this cohort to relocate to another country.” (8.7%)
“Language graduates” “more likely to be studying for a professional qualification compared with graduates from the other humanities” “This is likely to be a reflection of the increasing professionalization of translation, interpretation and teaching English to speakers of other languages.” (22.5%)
Source: What do graduates do? 2017/18

7. What do languages graduates do? 2017/18 HECSU

9. Languages skills alone ≠ a job
Languages as an additional skill
Marketing Executive
Legal
Accounting
Insurance
Broadcast journalist
Diplomatic Service Officer
International Aid/Development Worker
Logistics and Distribution Manager
Sales Executive
Customer Service roles
Tour Manager
Traditional Language Jobs
Translator
Interpreter
Modern Languages Teacher
EFL Teacher

10. Some less obvious options….
Graduate Brand Ambassadors
Language Analyst
Weapon Systems Operator (Linguist) & Intelligence Analyst (Linguist)

11. EXAMPLE OF LANGUAGE JOBS
Work Your Language
EXAMPLE OF LANGUAGE JOBS
Customer Service Advisors, Sales Executive Assistants, Management Consultants, Online Marketing Executive, SEO, Proof Reader, Project Manager, Office Administrator, Travel Specialist, Credit Controller, PA, Legal Assistant, Translator, Telemarketer, Market Researcher, Technical Support, Business Development Executive, Hotel Group Reservations Consultant, Games Tester, Qualified Accountant, Graphic Designer, Hosts and Hostesses, Software Engineer, Sales Product Trainer, Management Consultant, Application Support

12. COMPANIES AND RECRUITMENT AGENCIES SEEKING LANGUAGE SPEAKERS
Work Your Language
COMPANIES AND RECRUITMENT AGENCIES SEEKING LANGUAGE SPEAKERS

13. INDUSTRIES SEEKING LANGUAGES
Work Your Language
INDUSTRIES SEEKING LANGUAGES

14. Which languages are most in demand?
French
Mandarin
Spanish
German
Russian

15. Work Your Language
LANGUAGES IN DEMAND

16. YOUR COMPETITION IN THE MARKET!
Work Your Language
YOUR COMPETITION IN THE MARKET!

17. WHAT ARE EMPLOYERS LOOKING FOR?
Work Your Language
WHAT ARE EMPLOYERS LOOKING FOR?
International & relevant experience
Awareness of cultural differences
Ability to build relationships
Commercial awareness
Flexibility with location
Authorisation to work

18. Spanish French Mandarin German
Q: Which do you think is the foreign language rated as most useful by business
Spanish
French
Mandarin
German
45%
51%
36%
47%

19. Employer satisfaction with graduate applicants’ work-relevant skills (%)

20. Career planning process

21. Do languages increase your earning potential?

22. Languages are crucial in business
“Foreign languages are crucial in all areas of business, whether you're tailoring a product to the needs of a particular country and marketing it in a culturally sensitive way, or entering new markets and building relationships.
A lack of languages can get companies in legal trouble too, "Businesses can fall foul of all sorts of regulatory issues and cultural misunderstandings.“
Source: Bernadette Holmes, Principal Researcher, Born Global Initiative, British Academy

23. Languages not just a benefit for your career

24. Any questions or comments?