<p>I have been thinking about the people I know who majored in a language in college and what they do for employment. Here's what I've seen (limited experience):</p>
<p>1--What jobs can a person get utilizing a degree in languages? </p>
<p>I have one friend who has advanced degrees in Spanish--and she is a Spanish professor at a big state university.</p>
<p>2--What jobs do people who have a language degree actually hold?</p>
<p>One person I know became a college adcom. The other two that I know that have degrees in a foreign language are lawyers.</p>
<p>Opening the thread, wolfpiper asked, "I'm curious to know what one would actually do withh a degree/degrees in a foreign language. It seems like most of the obvious options (translation, government work, etc.) would be best suited to native speakers."</p>
<p>There doesn't seem to be anything confusing about what the OP asked. The OP is wondering about careers for a native speaker of English who majors in a foreign language. </p>
<p>I checked the OP's other posts on CC as this thread grew, and I see the OP has expressed at times an interest in studying pharmacy as a major subject. That would lead to a different career path and I don't know how pharmacy compares as a career to the careers I have seen pursued by foreign language majors, but that would be an issue to look into. </p>
<p>A lurking variable here is how much money the OP has to spend during undergraduate studies. Some young people can pay out of pocket for study-abroad programs, or take unpaid internships overseas, or pursue their undergraduate degrees in a foreign language at a university or LAC with sufficient prestige that ANY major from that school has "ooh, ah" value. Other would-be language majors will be working their way through State U. in jobs that have no relation to their major (as I did). I think the point of mackinaw that each language major builds a background of other skills and characteristics during college studies is undeniable. Other participants have replied to the effect that people shouldn't be overly vocational when going to college, a point with which I agree, but taken at full strength that principle would call into doubt going to college at all, because people can be broadly liberally educated through life experiences that happen outside of college. </p>
<p>The OP has mentioned in earlier threads having a physical disability that is very challenging. I don't know what economic impact that has had on the OP's family, but it might be substantial. A person who has health, money, and free time such that what one does for a living after college isn't an issue may size up these issues differently from the OP, who specifically asked about career possibilities. I wouldn't discourage any young person from pursuing a subject in which the person is passionately interested, but I would also take seriously the concern of any young person who is concerned about job prospects after graduation, as the OP appears to be.</p>
<p>Another case that I know of -- a former high school classmate of my daughter's. She majored in Spanish/Latin American Studies at NYU. She's now making it in NY as a photographer. Another example of how "other skills" aside from your major may be very important in your career.</p>
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I checked the OP's other posts on CC as this thread grew, and I see the OP has expressed at times an interest in studying pharmacy as a major subject. That would lead to a different career path and I don't know how pharmacy compares as a career to the careers I have seen pursued by foreign language majors, but that would be an issue to look into.
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<p>No relation between to the two, really, just that I'm interested in them both. A big reason I'm interesting in pharmacy (besides the good job market) is that I've known a bunch of people whose lives quite literally depend on medication. As corny and cliche as it sounds, I really want to help people in these situations. I know the difference between good and bad medical care, and I want to be part of the good.</p>
<p>As for languages, I guess you could just say I have a passion for them. I'm the type of person that will take the Spanish version of an article, place it next to the English version, and mull over them both (despite the fact I've never taken Spanish!). I love being able to communicate and understand, to look at Japanese text and have it make some sense, to be able to hold a conversation (even a short one) in another language, etc. It's just wonderful for me.</p>
<p>My family is middle class, making too much to qualify for fanacial aid but not enough to pay for expensive colleges. Thus, I want to get in and out as quickly and cheaply as possible (That's why I'm looking into 0-6 programs!), so I would find it highly impratical to pursue a language degree just out of passion. I'd really prefer to spend my undergrad and professional years at the same college/university, as to avoid having to break through red tape again, but my dream is to live and work in Alaska after graduating from pharmacy school and work in a hospital (Weird, I know.) </p>
<p>Overseas study abroad programs a pretty much out for me (Accessibility problems in America are more than enough for me).</p>
<p>Thank you for all your replies, especially for your thoughtful advice, tokenadult.</p>
<p>Another example: one of the best editors I have worked with in my career majored in French in college. He has an extremely insightful grasp of the English language that is amazing. I think a huge part of his skill is his background in another language. By the way, he also edits magazines, publications, and books for French publishers</p>