The second most widely spoken language in America, Spanish is fast becoming a popular pursuit among undergraduates at the collegiate level. Those possessing a bachelor's degree in Spanish have a variety of career options available--from education to government work to customer service.
Interpreter
Interpreters assist Spanish-speaking and non-Spanish-speaking individuals in communicating with each other by oral translation. They find employment in a variety of settings, such as a courtroom, where they translate testimony from a witness. Some interpreters are summoned in medical emergencies to communicate a doctor's diagnosis or questions to a patient. Still others find work with the United Nations--a job that requires them to listen to a speech through headphones and simultaneously translate it. Many interpreters are not full-time employees; they work from contract to contract.
Teacher / Professor
The demand for high school teachers--particularly those fluent in a foreign language--is high. For this reason, the education profession is a solid option for Spanish majors. The same is true of professors in a college setting.
Translator
The job of a translator can be tedious one, but it can also be rewarding. The translator must first read written materials in one language and then translate them to the other. Materials can range from technical manuals to business memos to news stories and government documents. Spanish translators must be prepared to research obscure words in dictionaries made for native speakers, as well as perform background research on writers whose work they might be translating, in order to understand their use of language and style. Like an interpreter, translators often work as contractors rather than full-time employees.
Foreign Service Officer
Foreign service officers, otherwise known as diplomats, help forge connections between the United States and Spanish-speaking countries. They assist Americans traveling abroad, whether for vacation or business purposes, as well as plan cultural exchanges and promote American political ideals and business interests. Relocation is not uncommon in this profession, and negotiation skills are crucial, as is the ability to remain focused in stressful or sensitive situations.
Customer Service
Telecommunication, software and manufacturing companies are constantly in need of Spanish-speaking individuals with strong interpersonal skills to assist their non-English-speaking customers on the phone. The profession is very attractive to those with a bachelor's degree and a patient, courteous demeanor----not to mention the ability to perform under pressure.
Tags: bachelor degree, full-time employees