Academic Advising
in the College of Arts & Science
What Can I Do With a Major in Foreign Languages?
Studying a foreign language leads to proficiency in reading, listening, writing, and speaking, while cultivating knowledge of the literature, philosophy, history, and cultures associated with a particular language. Miami University offers several degree options in foreign languages including a Bachelor of Arts in French, German (teacher certification option), classical languages (Greek and Latin), Latin (teacher certification option, administered in the Classics Department), Russian, and Spanish (teacher certification option), and a Bachelor of Science in Education in French, German, and Spanish. Along with a major in foreign language, students are encouraged to double major in another area such as international studies and to minor in comparative literature, European area studies, Latin American Studies, East Asian studies, American studies, women's studies, medieval studies, classical humanities or business. Additionally, students not majoring in foreign language may choose to minor in French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Chinese, and Spanish, or to study Portuguese, Hebrew and Arabic.
Interests
Interest in becoming fluent in another language, increasing competency in the usage of the English language, and developing an understanding of and appreciation for cultural differences
Competencies
- Research
- Perception of word patterns and structures
Symbol formation
Analyzing content
Gathering information
Summarizing
Comparing ideas/translations
Memorizing
Project development and follow through
Attention to detail - Reading
- Reading/understanding ideas
Reading for tone/attitude - Communication
- Translating ideas/languages
Speaking to groups
Explaining other cultures
Writing clearly
Composing and expressing thoughts
Rewriting and editing - Human Relations
- Understanding other cultures
Sensitivity to others
Flexibility/adaptability
Clarifying others' thoughts and ideas
Adapting ideas
Weighing values
Opportunities - Careers
- Government
- Customs inspector
Embassy personnel
Foreign service representative
U.S. information agency program specialist
Foreign exchange clerk
Immigration inspector
Intelligence officer
National security agency representative
United Nations agency representative/guide - Education
- Language teacher/elementary & secondary level
College/university teaching/research
Teacher/English as a second language - Communications
- Publisher/Editor — international books, papers, magazines
Technical writer
Translator
Interpreter
Foreign correspondent
Advertising/publicity assistant
Journalist/columnist
Consumer liaison/public relations
Public opinion analyst
Radio announcer
Audio-visual specialist
Museum/tour guide - Research/Preservation
- Librarian
Researcher/documents & records
Research/technical adviser (films)
Cataloger
Museum curator - Business
- Commercial attaché
Export/import representative
Foreign credit manager
Foreign purchasing agent
Overseas hotel manager
Travel bureau — tour guide
Management trainee/international business
Travel agent
Sales/marketing representative
Marketing analyst
Personnel/human resource specialist
Assistant production manager
Book dealer
Insurance sales representative
Bank teller/management trainee
Administrative assistant
Computer programmer
Trade analyst
Buyer
International law - Human Services
- Public health worker
Social worker
International flight attendant
Management trainee — non-profit organizations (i.e., United Way, Red Cross)
Administrator of philanthropic foundation
Clergy
Criminal investigator
Peace Corps/VISTA volunteer
Hospital administrator
Note: Some of the listed career options may require additional education and/or training beyond the bachelor's degree.
Opportunities - Graduate/Professional School
Students may go on to graduate school in the foreign language of interest, or in professional graduate programs such as business administration, law school, journalism, library science, or international business.
Opportunities - Experiential
In addition to course work, study abroad programs offer opportunities for students to expand language proficiency and explore another culture. The international education programs organized by Miami University include the Luxembourg Program, German Summer Study in Heidelberg, Jena, and Berlin. A Miami affiliated program offers a junior year of study in Munich; other programs include study at University of Heidelberg or other German universities, Student Exchange with the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration, Chinese Summer Study in Taiwan or the Peoples Republic of China, Japanese Exchange with the Kansai Gaidai University and Japanese Summer Program at Nihon University, Spanish Summer Study in Puebla, Mexico, Portuguese Summer Study in Brazil, Italian Summer Study in Urbino, Italy, French Summer Study in Dijon, France, Russian summer study at Nougorod University (Russia), and the Chinese Exchange with Jinan and Zhongshan in Juang Zhon. Other opportunities include archaeological excavations, living in an international environment in Clawson Hall, the German Language Floor or French Corridor of Wells Hall, eating at special foreign language tables in Clawson Dining Commons, doing independent research, and becoming involved in Student Honorary Groups, the International Association in Economics and Business (AIESEC), A.L.A.S. (Association of Latin and American Students), Delta Phi Alpha (local chapter of National German Honorary), Pi Delta Phi (local chapter of National French Honorary Society), Classics Club, Classics Workshop in Italy, Italian Club, Japanese Culture and Language Club, Russian Club, coffee houses, Sigma Delta Pi (local chapter of National Spanish Honor Society), and theatre productions.
Sources of Additional Information
- Department of French & Italian (207 Irvin Hall, 529-7508)
Department of German, Russian, and East Asian Languages with Arabic and Hebrew (172 Irvin Hall, 529-2526)
Department of Spanish and Portuguese (268 Irvin Hall, 529-4500)
Department of Classics (Greek and Latin) (105 Irvin Hall, 529-1480) - * Curriculum Requirements
* Career Opportunities - Student Counseling Service (195 Health Services Center, 529-4634)
- * Career Counseling
* Career Assistance Center
* Computerized Career Development Program
* Dictionary of Occupational Titles
* Occupational Outlook Handbook - Arts and Science Academic Advising (146 Upham Hall, 529-3031)
- * Miami Plan & College of Arts and Science Requirements
- * Course Selection
* Career Decision Making - Office of Career Services (241 Hoyt Hall, 529-3831)
- * Career Resource Center
* Dictionary of Occupational Titles
* Occupational Outlook Handbook - Office of International Education (216 MacMillan Hall, 529-5628)
- * Study and Work Abroad Advising
* Resource Library
Developed by the College of Arts and Science Advising Office and the academic departmental offices with adaptations from Liberal Arts and Sciences - Skills - Career Opportunities, Career Planning and Placement Office, University of Michigan.