Career Opportunities

What Can You Do with a Foreign Language Degree?

Deciding what to major in is as much about your current interests as it is your future opportunities. So what can you do with a foreign language degree? We’ve outlined a few of your options.

Interpretation & Translation

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Employment of interpreters and translators is expected to grow 42 percent from 2010 to 2020," a fact that reflects an increasingly diverse U.S. population. In addition to a strong need for translators of frequently translated languages (Spanish, German, French), translators of American Sign Language, Arabic and East Asian languages (Chinese and Japanese) are seeing increased demand in recent years.

  • Business, Travel and Judiciary Interpretation
  • Legal, Medical and Technical Translation
  • Steganography
  • Lexicography

Education

Educators are always in demand. Schools at every level (pre-school, K-12, college) understand the value of a bilingual teacher. Consider double majoring or minoring in an area that you could specialize in.

  • Teaching or Tutoring
  • Translating
  • Educational Administration
  • Research

Government

From law enforcement and Homeland Security to the Departments of State, Defense and Commerce, the United States government relies heavily on its multi-lingual employees.

  • Diplomacy
  • Foreign Service
  • Immigration
  • Intelligence

For a more comprehensive list of potential career paths, check out What Can I Do With This Major? Or schedule an appointment with a counselor from the University of San Francisco’s Career Services Center to chat about your options.