| CAREERS FOR GRADUATES |
There are many different career options available for Languages graduates. Below is a sample of the types of positions graduates have gone on to.
Note: This is not an exhaustive list as there are many other careers available. Many positions require additional education or experience.
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| Translating & Interpreting |
Teaching/Education |
- Interpreter*
- Certified Translator
- Certified Terminologist
- Certified Court Interpreter
- Sign Language Interpreter
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- Elementary School Teacher*
- ESL Teacher*
- Language Instructor/Teacher
- International Student Advisor
- Coordinator, Programs Abroad
- International Education Assistant
- Research Assistant
- Professor
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| Business |
Government/Non-Governmental Orgs. |
- International Trade Officer
- International Business Analyst
- Bilingual Customer Service Specialist
- Market Research Analyst
- Conference Planner
- Marketing Manager
- Public Relations Officer
- Import/Export Coordinator
- Management Consultant
- Compliance Officer
- Hospitality Industry
- Travel Agent
- Flight Attendant
- Communication Specialist
- Technical Writer
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- Foreign Services Officer
- Foreign Affairs Specialist
- Immigration Officer*
- Customs Officer
- International Development
- Political Aid*
- Community Worker*
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| Note: career profiles for many of the above jobs are available in the Career Centre. Those marked with an asterisk(*) can be viewed using Career Cruising, a Cdn. electronic career guide available in the Centre |
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WHO EMPLOYS LANGUAGE GRADUATES?
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- Federal, Provincial and Municipal Government
- Financial Institutions
- Schools, Colleges and Universities
- Airlines, Airports, Cruiseship Lines
- Travel Agencies and Tour Companies
- Communications and Broadcasting Companies
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- Private Sector / Large Corporations
- Language Schools, International Schools
- Translations & Interpretation Firms
- Cultural Organizations
- Non-Governmental Organizations (e.g. United Nations)
- Market Research Firms
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SKILLS DEVELOPED BY LANGUAGE STUDENTS:
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| Communication |
- Proficiency in reading, writing, and oral expression in other languages
- Presentation to groups
- Skill in writing carefully reasoned reports and essays
- Research and analysis
- Active listening and questioning
- Understanding historical language change
- Skill in formulating and defending positions
- Translations and interpretations
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| Interpersonal |
- Understanding other cultures
- Integrating cultural and ethnic diversity in human interactions
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| Research |
- Ability to read materials accurately and analytically
- Proficiency in understanding, organizing and integrating information
- Ability to carry out tasks with thoroughness and precision
- Skills in formulating criteria, evaluations and making decisions
- Critical thinking and abstract reasoning skills
- Creativity and flexibility in thinking
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Trends
According to the experts, the growth of the language industry will exceed 15% a year over the next five to ten years, due to:
- The need to replace the current labour force (e.g. active translators are much older than the average professional)
- New areas of specialization (e.g. translation of web sites, online training, etc.)
- Opportunities on the world market (e.g. increased need for translators from international bodies such as the United Nations and need for language professionals from large corporations in their quest for global markets)
- The growth of the translation market in both official languages will continue to grow in Canada because of the increase in the volume of information
- Demand for translation into languages other than English and French
Source: The Language Industry : A Source of Interesting Career Choices(2005)
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| SAMPLE JOB LISTINGS FOR GRADUATING STUDENTS/RECENT GRADUATES |
Below is a sample of the types of positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre for graduating students or recent graduates. To access full-time opportunities (for up to two years after graduation), you must first attend an orientation. Drop by or call us at 905-828-5451 for more information.
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Lead Translator, Text & Form Software |
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Junior Copy Editor, Partners Magazine, The Italian Chamber of Commerce |
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Foreign Remittance Clerk, Trade Link Canada |
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Foreign Language Intelligence Analyst, Communications Security Establishment |
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Interpreter, Legislative Assembly of Ontario |
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Official Language Monitor, Ministry of Education |
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Bilingual Client Care Representative, FGI |
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Market Research Analyst, Millennium Research Group |
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Project Organizer/Coordinator, UTM Department of French, German, and Italian |
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Customer Service Representative, Dormer Laboratories Inc. |
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Bilingual Registration Officer, BMO Financial Group |
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Flight Attendants, Illico Hodes Advertising |
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Coordinator for International Relations, JET Programme, Embassy of Japan |
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Marketing/Technical Writer, IDEE Inc. |
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Alumni Profiles
Learn from UofT graduates and how they transferred their degree to the world of work. We have dozens of alumni profiles in the Career Centre from grads who want to share their experiences and advice. Sample profiles are included below but you'll find more via our online U of T Mississauga Alumni Profiles Database or in the U of T Alumni Binder, available in the Career Centre - SE3094. You can also check out Alumni Career Connections, where you have the potential to contact an alum in your field of interest and learn more about your options.
UTM Alumni Profile: Irene Alba-Kucma
Major: French and Spanish
Minor: Political Science
Year Of Graduation: 1991
Irene Alba-Kucma has spent several years working in Event Management for various companies.
“The most successful position was for Coca-Cola as Event Planner for major European events, meetings, and the Olympic Games. I have also worked in the Hotel industry as Sales Manager for foreign markets,” says Irene, who has now taken some time off work since she is expecting her first child.
Irene, who has post-graduate training in meeting and convention planning, found that she had to start from the bottom of the ladder in most companies and work her way up. She says her strong language skills were her biggest asset on the way up. In addition she counts organizational, leadership, and team-working skills as crucial for success in her field. [more]
Here are a few more alumni you may be interested in reading about:
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| HOW TO GET EXPERIENCE |
| Start early by seeking relevant summer, part-time and volunteer opportunities that will help you gain experience and develop the skills that employers want. Below is a sample of the types of temporary positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre. To access the summer, part-time, temporary and volunteer postings, register with the Career Centre Online. |
| Summer/Part-Time Positions |
- Bilingual Research Assistant, Rogers Publishing Inc.
- Language Assistant, University of Toronto
- French Tutor, Expert Tutors Inc.
- Marketing Assistant (German), Home Deco International
- Summer/Saturday School Instructor, T & Y Innovative Education Inc
- Bilingual Research Interviewer, Opinion Search Inc
- Foreign Language Subtitle Editors, SDI Media Canada Inc.
- English to French Translator, Allstate Insurance Company of Canada
- Notetaker French/German, University of Toronto Schools
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| Volunteer |
- Special Event Volunteer, Harbourfront Centre
- English/French Translator, Gems of Hope
- Docent (Museum Educator), Bata Shoe Museum
- Assistant Researcher, 3DAYSTV
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| Work-Study |
Eligible for OSAP? Apply for a Work-Study position on campus and gain valuable academic and career related experience. Previous postings include: Writing a Language Text Book Assistant - UTM Dept. of French, German & Italian; Research Assistant, Dept. of French & Spanish, UofT. Positions are posted with the Career Centre Online in early September. |
| On-Campus |
You can also gain experience and show leadership skills by joining or running a campus club, such as the Italian Club, or volunteering on campus at the International Student Resource Centre.
Research Opportunity Program (ROP)
ROP allows students to earn one full course credit by participating in a faculty member's research project. 2008-2009 project titles include: La Fontaine's Contes: fiction and libertinism (FRE399Y5), The Modernist Canadian Fiction recovery project, and Making A Medieval Book (ENG399Y). |
| Associations |
Interested in developing contacts with people in this field? Consider joining a relevant professional association, which provide opportunities to make contact with, gather information from and seek advice from individuals currently working in your chosen field. At the very least, check out their web sites for industry information.
The Language Industry Association (AILIA) has information available about industry partners, i.e., translation schools, professional associations, private or public language training schools and language technology research companies and centres. This information is available at www.ailia.ca
Other associations include:
Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers
Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council
Literary Translators' Association of Canada
Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors of Ontario
Canadian Tourism Commission
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| RESOURCES |
| Career Centre Library Resources: |
- Careers for Foreign Language Aficionados & Other Multilingual Types
- Great Jobs for Foreign Language Majors
- Opportunities in Foreign Language Careers
- Careers for Cultural Lovers and Other Artsy Types
- Careers for Writers and Others Who Have a Way With Words
- Great Jobs for Foreign Language Majors
- What can I do with my degree... (binder)
- Work Abroad Binder/Magazines
- Career Information Binders (NOC Codes 416, 512, 614)
- Career Cruising - Canadian Electronic Career Guide
- Careers in the Foreign Service (Video)
- Work and Volunteer Abroad Panel (Video)
- Work Abroad Tip Sheet
- Speech-Language Pathology Tip Sheet
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Resource Library Downloads: |
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| The Career Centre Resource Library is located in DV 3094. For more information please visit us, call 905-828-5451 or e-mail: careers.utm@utoronto.ca |
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What's your next step? Take a look at our Sample Career Plan to see suggested steps that you can take towards developing your career-work search plan. Check out our Events calendar for upcoming career related events.
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 Back to Careers By Major Search Page |
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