What are my career options with a languages degree?

1st October 2019

Emily Robertshaw

Are you studying or thinking about studying a languages degree? Here’s a list of career options for you and which skills and further qualifications you may need.

Freelance translator

Freelance translator

What the job entails:

Working autonomously for clients translating texts within a specialist subject matter, such as engineering, legal or tourism.

Any further qualifications required:

You’ll need a Masters or a post-graduate qualification in translation and some experience. You can gain experience by volunteering for not-for-profit organisations such as Translators without Borders.

Skills you need:

A recommended career option if you like working by yourself in your own home/ office, have excellent organisation skills, would prefer a flexible schedule and can afford a variable salary

 

In-house translator

In-house translator

What the job entails:

Translating texts within a specialist subject area, such as engineering, legal or tourism for a company in an office environment.

Any further qualifications required:

Usually a Masters in translation, otherwise you can look for translation internships so you can receive on the job training.

Skills you need:

A recommended career option if you love translating but want to work in an office environment or if you want to gain translation experience before going freelance with a fixed, guaranteed monthly salary.

 

Court interpreter

Court interpreter

What the job entails:

Relaying what is being said by the speaker quickly and fluently in another language.

Any further qualifications required:

You’ll need a specialist qualification in interpreting such as a Masters or DPSI training, which will give you lots of hours of practice. It’s also useful to shadow other court interpreters if you have the opportunity.

Skills you need:

Also, bear in mind that you should be well-presented at all times as you’re representing the corporate image of your clients.

A recommended career option for language graduates who excel at speaking and listening in a foreign language. It is a far more intense job than being a translator and you should shadow and practise to see if it’s right for you.

 

International Business Development Specialist

International Business Development Specialist

What the job entails:

Looking at prospects both in the UK and abroad for the company you’re working for and targeting them to bring in new business.

Any further qualifications required:

Sales training would help for this role but there’s the option of starting off as an International Business Development Assistant and gaining experience on the job.

Skills you need:

A recommended career option for confident, outgoing people who have excellent communication skills and can quickly establish a rapport with others.

 

Teacher

Teacher

What the job entails:

Planning and carrying out foreign language lessons to students or to adults at night classes.

Any further qualifications required:

PGCE

Skills you need:

A recommended career option for confident graduates who can demand authority where necessary and have the ability to explain points clearly.

 

Journalist

Journalist

What the job entails:

Conducting research, interviewing and writing up articles for print or online newspapers and magazines. Language graduates have an advantage as they can conduct interviews in other languages and attend press trips abroad with ease.

Any further qualifications required:

MA in journalism or a lot of experience in writing articles for blogs and student newspapers etc, which can be demonstrated in a portfolio of work.

Skills you need:

A recommended career option for graduates with strong written skills and an interest in researching and for those who are not fazed by constructive criticism from editors.

 

Language Analyst – GCHQ

Language Analyst

What the job entails:

Piecing together information to give valuable insights into intelligence all over the world.

Any further qualifications required:

See list of preferred languages below. Training is also provided on the job.

Skills you need:

A recommended career option for graduates who are looking for an extremely demanding and challenging role and are willing to travel and have residencies abroad for months at a time. Not for the faint-hearted!

 

Tour Guide

Tour Guide

What the job entails:

Taking foreign visitors on planned tours of attractions and providing commentary throughout, potentially in other languages.

Any further qualifications required:

Training on the job is usually provided although you may need a Blue Badge in Tourist Guiding for certain London attractions.

Skills you need:

A recommended career option for fun and bubbly graduates who love culture and history and chatting to new people about it!

 

Air Cabin Crew

Air Cabin Crew

What the job entails:

Providing an excellent customer service to passengers flying to and from their destinations and ensuring their comfort and safety at all times.

Any further qualifications required:

On-the-job training

Skills you need:

A recommended career option for well-presented, customer-friendly graduates who enjoy flying, foreign travel and can stay calm in high pressure situations

 

Project Manager

Project Manager

What the job entails:

Organising language projects for customers by assessing which freelancers are most suitable and handling both supplier and client queries.

Any further qualifications required:

Andiamo! requires Project Managers to have an MA in translation or to have previous experience.

Skills you need:

A recommended career option for language graduates who excel at multitasking and can keep calm and prioritise under pressure.

For more information visit – What is a translation project manager?

 

International Aid Worker

International Aid Worker

What the job entails:

To provide assistance to people in less developed countries

Any further qualifications required:

It depends on the area you want to work in, whether it’s hands-on, fundraising, medical or administrative. Most specialist areas will require additional qualifications but training will be given for others.

Skills you need:

A recommended career option for graduates who love to travel and want to make a difference when it comes to housing, healthcare and education in less developed countries.

 

Here are some of the additional courses you could consider:

 

More blog posts

different_languages.jpg

What is a translation Project Manager?

andiamo_sign.jpg

My internship at Andiamo! – by Dafydd Jones

5 slogan translation fails

Translating the Harry Potter book series

Search