Description | Skills | Experience | Sample Careers/Work Settings | Salary
Double Majors/Minors | Advanced Degrees | NCSU Orgs | Prof. Orgs | Links | Next Steps

Description of Major

The continuous expansion of international relations makes the knowledge of foreign languages a critical need for todays professional. Students of foreign languages pursue careers not only in education, research, translating, and interpreting, but also in politics, diplomacy, banking, computer technology, software development, commerce, and journalism to name a few. The demand for multilingual personnel extends to all fields of enterprise and is continuing to grow. Students who major in foreign languages may go on to graduate school, teach, or study law, medicine, or business. Many apply the cognitive, reading, and writing skills they acquire to various positions in management, public relations, administration, and government.

The majors that are offered are French, with either a Language and Literature Concentration or Teacher Education option; Spanish is offered with a Language and Literature Concentration or Teacher Education option. See the French or Spanish, Teacher Education Option web page for the details on the teacher education option.

Today, employers seek graduates who can interact confidently and appropriately with diverse populations. Whether preparing for a career in business, government, law, education, human services, science, the military, or the arts, students who develop their foreign-language skills will have a competitive edge. The Department serves the interests of NC State by contributing to its advancement in international awareness and providing direct contact with other cultures for the social and economic development of the citizens of North Carolina.

Courses include:

• FRENCH: Intermediate French I & II, Survey of French Literature from the Middle Ages through the Enlightenment and from Romanticism to the Contemporary Period, Advanced Conversation: Contemporary French Culture, French Phonetics and Pronunciation, French Syntax and Composition, and French Civilization and Culture.
• SPANISH: Intermediate Spanish I& II, Survey of Spanish Literature through Golden Age and 1700 to present, Latin-American Literature - 1898 to present, Spanish Phonetics and Advanced Conversation, Advanced Spanish Grammar, and Culture and Civilization of the Iberian Peninsula and Culture, Civilization of Latin America and Seminar in Hispanic Studies.
• TEACHER EDUCATION: Principles of Teaching Diverse Populations, Teaching Writing Across the Curriculum, Teaching in the Middle Years, Human Relations and Discipline in the Classroom, and Teaching Exceptional Students in the Mainstreamed Classroom.

The Undergraduate Catalog shows a listing of French concentration courses & Spanish concentration courses, and the degree audit shows the curricula requirements for this major. If you are interested in expanding your career options, consider double-majoring and/or adding a minor.

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Skills You Develop In This Major

• Understanding and interpreting verbal messages and translating them into another language without losing the implications or spirit of the original.
• Using correct grammar, punctuation, spelling and sentence structure while identifying errors.
• Interviewing and interacting with people who are culturally diverse.
• Understanding and adapting programs, products, and services to the cultural background of the audience.

Gaining Career-Related Experience

You are strongly encouraged to gain career-related experience prior to graduation in the form of an internship, summer job, or co-op. Though course credit is not available for this experience through this major or department, you may receive compensation from the employer.

Co-op is a program of alternating semesters of work and school. Paid work terms of increasing responsibility enable students to graduate with the minimum equivalent of one year of relevant work experience. Full-time enrollment during the semester prior to the first work term is required. You can begin co-op after completion of at least two semesters (30 credit hours) at NC State (one semester for transfers and graduate students). An NC State transcript must show grades and admission to a degree program. A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.50 (3.00 for graduate students) is required. The Co-op Office web site lists the Orientation Schedule, which is the first step to program participation.

Internships are typically full-time during the summer or (for some) part-time during the semester. You can start interning or seeking summer jobs related to your field, whenever you are ready. The University Career Center provides services to help you get started.

Participate in ePack, the Career Center's on-line system that connects employees with students through internship postings, on-campus interviews, information sessions, and resume searches. You may activate your ePack account at any time.

Internship Example

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Sample Career Titles and Possible Work Settings

The following lists provide a brief sampling of the kind of jobs and work environments you might find with a degree in this major. These titles and work settings are by no means an exhaustive listing. Because the world of work is always changing, over time job titles and work settings can change. The below listing is provided in hopes of giving you initial insight into a particular career field that would employ the skills and knowledge gained through this major.

Sample Career Titles	Sample Work Settings
Writer	International Publications
Researcher	Foreign News Agencies
Customer Service Representative	International Exporters
Information Assistant	International Visitors Councils
Public Affairs Coordinator	Org.International Clients
Foreign Service Official	Government Departments & Embassies

Careers Needing Advanced Degrees

• Professor of Foreign Language and Literature
• Researcher
• College/University International Student Adviser
• Coordinator of College Study Abroad Program

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Salary

Baccalaureate - $ 38,329
From NACE national salary survey - July 2010: http://www.naceweb.org/research/salary_survey/

The salary listed above is an average starting salary based on skills and experiences gained at the Bachelors level. Keep in mind that salary level typically increases with additional experience and/or educational degrees.

Furthermore, you may have the opportunity to mold an entry-level position into your dream job and subsequently increase your salary as you learn more, add responsibilities and gain experience.

NC State Related Organizations & Clubs

The Website for foreign language clubs and honor societies includes the following:

• Clubs: Chinese, Classics, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish.
• Honor Societies: Phi Sigma Iota, Sigma Delta Pi

Professional Resources (Outside NC State)

These resources include organizations, clubs, and conferences not affiliated with NC State and can be an important part of your career pursuit.

• Association of Departments of Foreign Languages
• Modern Language Association of America Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages
• American Translators Association

Links to Related Resources

• University Career Center
• For more specific information on occupation/job skills, expectations, and salary, go to the Occupational Information Network site and search for a specific job. (hint: for salary info, select a report on one of the jobs and find the wages link at the bottom of the page.)
• The list of available Minors at NC State.
• Experimental Courses Listing (a.k.a. Special Topics)
• Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures
• College of Humanities & Social Sciences
• Cooperative Education Program
  

Next Steps

Need more information about this major? Contact the expert on this major,
Coordinator of Advising.

Don't want this major? Continue exploring the available majors.
Still unsure of your major and/or not sure what to do next?
You know you want this major. What do you need to do now?

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Last updated: 21st of September, 2010 at 12:33:08 PM

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