Modern Languages - using your degree
From CareersWiki
Contents |
Introduction
A degree from Scotland's first university is an excellent start to any future career. St Andrews has a reputation for excellence and the ability to attract the brightest students world wide. With this as a starting point you are well on the way to impressing future employers.
Employment rates among new language graduates are very high. An ability in languages is increasingly valued by employers across all sectors, including industry and business. They recognize that a modern languages degree shows wide cultural experience as well as other personal transferable skills needed in employment.
Your choices go way beyond specialist occupations, like interpreting, translation and language teaching. There are many opportunities in hundreds of industries for people with language skills at all levels. Many make use of their language skills and cultural knowledge later in their career. This is particularly the case for graduates who enter industry, business, some areas of finance or journalism or take up jobs or other opportunities across Europe.
According to recruitment agencies, salary uplift for those using languages at work can be anything from 8–20%.
‘A language degree gives you a better chance of finding a job than any
other except [...] medicine. Language graduates are more employable than
those in computing, or science, or even business studies, according to
the Higher Education Statistics Agency. [...] Employers cannot get
enough people with language skills. According to the University Council
of Modern Languages (UCML), surveys by regional development agencies
show that one in five respondents believe they have lost business
because of language skills failures, and nearly half found language and
cultural issues were a barrier to international business. Even the
Foreign Office is signalling alarm about its future staffing, says UCML.
[...] The president of the British Chamber of Commerce, Isabella Moore,
thinks companies are losing international business opportunities because
they lack language skills and cultural awareness. 'Language skills are
vital to business success and are an important element of competitive
advantage,‘ she told a languages conference at Aston University."
Francis Beckett, "Dumbing Down", The Guardian, Tuesday 5 November 2002
‘Employees with language skills are definitely more marketable and have a greater worth in the labour market.’ Bob Shankly,HR Director,BMW
‘Multilingualism is an indicator of general mental ability and an internationalist outlook.’ Chief Learning Manager, Deutsche Bank
‘The fact is, businesses are looking for employees with language skills. As globalisation accelerates, the ability to communicate internationally is becoming a pre-requisite for success.’ Miles Templeman, Director General, Institute of Directors
Well known St Andrews Modern Languages graduates:
- Louise Minchin - journalist and presenter
- Robert Dersley - Channel 5 News - producer
- Seonag MacKinnon - BBC Scotland education correspondent
- Michael Hulse - translator and poet
Well known people who studied Modern Languages:
- T.S. Elliot
- Samuel Beckett
- James Joyce
- Rory Bremner - Scottish impressionist, playwright and comedian
The Careers Centre can provide information on a comprehensive range of careers included those detailed above, there are specialist advisers for different occupational areas. The Careers Centre is open from 10am - 5pm, Monday to Friday and Careers Advisers operate a "drop-in" system which is on a first-come, first served basis between 1.15pm - 4.00pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. If away from St Andrews or after graduation you can still get advice through our e-guidance system.
Student / Alumni Profiles
Students and alumni from the School of Modern Languages have kindly agreed to share their experiences of work and other career-related activities with you. These profiles illustrate the wide range of careers, internships, volunteering and other work experience opportunities open to students and alumni from your School. Check regularly to see what's new.
Where Our Graduates Go
| Year of Graduation | Organisation/Company | Position | Mod. Lang. Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | University of Exeter | MA Translation | Yes |
| 2009 | Deutsche Bank | Operations Analyst | Not directly |
| 2009 | University of Zurich | Advisor of Studies | Yes |
| 2009 | HM Prison Service | Administrative Officer | Not directly |
| 2009 | University of Warwick | PGCE Secondary French | Yes |
| 2009 | Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh | MSc Translating and Conference Interpreting | Yes |
| 2009 | Deloitte | Management Consultant | Not directly |
| 2009 | University of Manchester | PGCE French/Spanish Teaching | Yes |
| 2009 | Mills & Reeve | Paralegal | Not directly |
| 2007 | Lovells LLP | Trainee Contract - case study | Not directly |
| 2007 | KPMG | Graduate Scheme - case study | Not directly |
| 2007 | DIOT, Insurance Broker, Paris | Account Co-ordinator - case study | Yes |
| 2006 | CIES – The Food Business Forum, Paris, France | Global Food Safety Initiative Coordinator - case study | Yes |
| 2006 (CAN) | PricewaterhouseCoopers | Auditor Associate | Not directly |
| 2005 | Louise Killen Translations Ltd | Translator - case study | Yes |
| 2004 (CAN) | International Association of Public Transport (Brussels) | Junior Project Manager | Yes |
| 2003 | Five News | Senior Producer - case study | Not directly |
| 1999 | The British School Group, Italy | Teacher of English as a Foreign Language - case study | Yes |
| 1992 (CAN) | Sabanci University (Turkey) | Teacher of English for Academic Purposes | Yes |
| 1983 (CAN) | Language Consultants(Guatemala) | Linguist Language Consultant | Yes |
Careers Alumni Network (CAN) indicates these alumni are willing and keen to be contacted to help St Andrews students with their careers search.
Popular Jobs for Modern Languages Graduates Nationally
A 2010 HESA survey of 2009 graduates indicates that six months after graduation, just over half of modern languages graduates were in employment in the UK or overseas. Of these, 15% were working in administrative and clerical roles, 11% in commercial, industrial and public sector management, a further 11% in the marketing, sales and advertising industry and 12% were business or financial professionals.
Many graduates choose careers not directly related to their subject but where there is the opportunity to use their language skills, for example working for companies who trade or offer services internationally or to non-English speaking customers and suppliers.
For example, significant numbers take professional or managerial roles in commerce, industry or the public sector, or work in advertising, marketing and sales. A considerable number also take clerical and secretarial positions in order to gain experience for careers in business, commerce or the public sector, or jobs in retail or catering to gain experience of dealing with the public.
EU Careers
Changes to the EU recruitment system have recently been put in place to help candidates from the UK. In 2010 the application process changed to one which British graduates will be much more familiar with:
- the 'EU knowledge' test has been removed;
- the system is now 'competencies' based (testing skills and behaviours);
- assessment exercises (reasoning tests, group exercises etc) are similar to those used in the UK; and
- the whole application process will be completed within 9 months.
In 2011 there will be two more helpful changes:
- only the final stage (assessment centre) has to be done in French or German;
- undergraduates in their final year will be able to apply.
The Directorate General for Interpretation (DG Interpretation – also known as SCIC) is the European Commission’s interpreting service and conference organiser. Recruitment is via open competitions, details of which can be found on their website. Over the next 5 – 10 years the EC is facing an acute shortage of English language conference interpreters, with approximately 50% of its current English interpreters heading towards retirement in that time. This means finding 200 English conference interpreters by 2020. Graduates/students should have an excellent command of English as their first language, a thorough knowledge of two other EU languages, and a postgraduate qualification in conference interpreting. Many postgraduate courses both in the UK and abroad are still open for applications for the academic year 2011-2012.
An EU career can give graduates real influence over issues they feel passionate about (eg climate change), it is not all about bureaucracy and processes.
Competence in foreign languages would help British graduates feel closer to the EU (though most of the work within the EU is now conducted in English).
Careers in the EU are not just for language students but also students taking a language module as part of a broader degree.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's short term focus on language students and graduates aims to increase the numbers of applications with good standard of French and German for the EU Recruitment registration process in March 2011. However, in the medium term, we will also be targeting graduates from other disciplines and specialisms with sufficient French and German skills, as well as those with less developed language skills who can supplement them with modules to get through the recruitment process.
Presentations
Further information
Below are some websites that are helpful resources for graduates considering a career in Europe.
- FCO website - Getting into the EU: information on how to get a career in the EU and the different options available when thinking of a career in the EU
- European Fast Stream: information on the UK European Fast Stream process and how to apply
- eucareers: UK representation in Brussels: Brussels focused pages on opportunities within the EU -
- EU Careers website: graduates apply here and find information about the application process and existing jobs. Includes dates to apply, sample tests and useful links
- EU Careers Facebook pages: Students can follow (or 'like') the page to receive regular updates. They can also ask questions on the 'Wall'
- EU Careers on Twitter: get updates on EU Careers and take part in Q&A sessions
- Careers in the EU - Information on the range of careers available in the EU.
- European Personnel Selection Office for selecting staff to work for Institutions of the European Union - information on the range of job opportunities,the selection process (includes some test examples to try out) and how to apply on-line
- Want to use your languages daily and work at the heart of Europe in the European Commission? Watch the YouTube film to find out more.
- European Commission Directorate-General for Translation - information specific for translators, there is an ever increasing demand for translation into English
Summer Internships & Work Experience
It can be very valuable to gain experience of work in various areas, but particularly in those areas that you are considering as a future career.
- The University Careers Centre has information on vacation jobs and internships in the US
- If you'd like to stay in St Andrews over the summer, you might want to apply for the St Andrews Summer Internship Scheme. There are opportunities in 9 different areas for a period of 4 weeks.
- Remember to network with students in more senior years, tutors, family and friends they may have suggestions and contacts.
- The Undergraduate Research Internship Programme (URIP) was launched in 2008 by the University of St Andrews. Under the URIP scheme, the University funds 20 undergraduates to carry out research over ten weeks during the summer vacation. The students work on independent projects under the guidance and supervision of a member of academic staff. Look out on the website for application forms which normally have to be returned by the end of April.
- Several penultimate year students have been successful in getting a paid summer internship with the Saltire Foundation. These are global experiences in USA, Japan, Cayman Islands and others.
- US Summer Institute Fulbright Scholarships The US-UK Fulbright Commission offers a variety of Summer Institutes for UK citizens to go to the US. These programmes are extremely varied and provide opportunities for UK students, scholars and professionals to go to the US in a unique setting, on four to six week programmes. If you would like to ask questions or seek advice from a St Andrews student that has already taken part in a Fulbright Summer Institute please feel free to contact, Kirsten (kj84@st-andrews.ac.uk)
- Moroccan Children's Trust - offers experiences for students with French and Arabic language skills.
- If you are interested in teaching or other work with children the University runs schemes in partnerships with local education authorities which give students access to school pupils. To find out more contact the staff involved by e-mail, schools.access@st-andrews.ac.uk .More Schools are offering the UK Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme, which requires students to spend up to 25 hours working within a Primary or Secondary school or Science centre. The module is assessed and contributes towards the final degree outcome.
- Joining a society and particularly taking on a role of responsibility can impress future employers and also enhance employability skills such as - team working, negotiation, event management, controlling budgets, leadership etc. Have a look at the case study from a student who made the most of his time at St Andrews through involvement in societies. At St Andrews you have a wealth of societies to choose from. Here are a few relevant examples:
- French Society Aims to promote French culture and anything related.
- German Society A long-standing, union-affiliated society. Gersoc welcomes everyone with an interest in German culture to its weekly socials “Stammtisch,” monthly film screenings and various other events.
- Italian Society A friendly and exciting association, founded in 2003. Its aim is to unite enthusiasts of all-things-Italian in the community of St Andrews.
- Russian Society Offers a place where everyone who is interested to any degree in Russia and Russian culture can gather and discuss all things Russian.
- Eurodesk This organisation was set up by the British Council to encourage young people to work and volunteer in Europe. They have information on programmes, funding and direct contacts in most European countries.
The table below gives some examples of the experiences of Modern Language students.
| Year of graduation | Organisation/Company | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Virgile Avocats/LPLG Avocats | Internship case study |
| 2007 | United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) | Internship in the Dadaab refugee camps - case study |
Employability Profile
Over the course of your degree you develop a good mix of subject specific and transferable core skills (communication, team work, time management, presentation etc). Consider these alongside your other activities, such as paid work, volunteering, family responsibilities, sport, membership of societies, leadership roles, etc. Think about how these can be used as evidence of your skills and personal attributes. Then you can start to market and sell who you really are, identify what you may be lacking and consider how to improve your profile.
Skills
The profile below identifies the skills that can be developed through the study of your discipline based on subject benchmark statements developed by UK higher education academic communities.
This table is able to help you to identify the valuable skills that you can offer to potential employers.
| A graduate in Modern Languages typically will have the ability to: | Evidence: |
|---|---|
| Read, write, listen to and speak in a foreign language to levels of ability appropriate to the target language and to the learning outcomes of the degree programme. | All language modules do this. Coursework enhances reading and writing skills; oral presentations,debates and discussion in tutorials strengthen listening and speaking abilities. Reading of primary and secondary texts in the original language in literature modules. Year Abroad option to consolidate linguistic skills and cultural awareness. Multimedia Centre. |
| Use effectively reference materials such as grammars and dictionaries and to learn other languages with relative ease. | All language modules do this. |
| Develop analytical, critical and specialist skills drawn that can be used in other contexts. | Most modules do this through coursework and Honours dissertations. |
| Appreciate the internal diversity and cross-cultural connectedness of cultures and show curiosity and openness towards other cultures. | Core lesson of all modules. |
| Reflect and judge critically in the light of evidence and argument. | Core skill developed through oral literature presentations, essays, Honours dissertations and seminar discussion. |
| Organise and present ideas in a framework of a structured and reasoned argument. | Core features of module work. |
| Be self-reliant, adaptable and flexible. | Tutorials and Honours supervisions. |
| Deploy skills in ICT, in note taking and summarising, library research, mediation, analysis and problem solving. | At the centre of module work |
| Write and think under pressure and meet deadlines. | Coursework, final exams and Honours dissertations. |
| Communicate and work creatively and flexibly with others. | Tutorials, discussion fora on WEBCT. |
Modern Languages Careers/Employability Link
Each School has a Careers/Employability Link who "champions" employability. Yours is Dr Eleni Kefala . If you have any information you consider important for your fellow students please let her know. Alternatively you can contact the Employability Coordinator for the University, Pamela Andrew,at pea1.
Links to Useful Resources
- Mapping Your Future - Employability for Modern Languages students - Pamela Andrew
- Destination Statistics of St Andrews graduates
- Careers Wiki: Interpreting & Translating
- Prospects:
- Languages Work - an online information portal supporting a wide range of products designed to show the true value of languages in the workplace and beyond. It has lists of recruitment agencies seeking people with language skills.
- Chartered Institute of Linguists - serves the interests of professional linguists throughout the world and acts as a respected language assessment and accredited awarding body
- Idid Intern Abroad features internships abroad
- Languages is Everything are a company keen to work with newly graduated linguists - whether it be for face to face interpreting, translations, or telephone interpreting. In particular they are looking to recruit new linguists specialising in translations into English, therefore English mother tongue linguists.
- Lingua Jobsa specialist language job-board advertising language jobs from leading employers in a range of industry sectors
- Multilingual Vacancies is an online job board specialising in advertising language jobs in London, across the UK, Europe and worldwide
- Top language jobs a specialist language jobs board and recruitment agency
- French recruitment agency which has been used by St Andrews students successfully in the past
- Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies
- APARE - European youth organisation based in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, in the heart of the Mediterranean which offers volunteering opportunities.
- Eurograduate Graduate career guide
- Research Gate research jobs
