CAREERS USING LANGUAGES

You may be aware that Mrs Harding, our Careers Coordinator, is a linguist too. She speaks French and Russian having studied both at university, was born and brought up in Wales speaking Welsh and lived for a number of years in the Netherlands so she can also speak Dutch. She has used her language skills throughout her career and has had a number of jobs where her ability to speak different languages has been essential. During the last twenty-five years she has worked as a teacher of modern foreign languages in both the UK and the Netherlands, she has worked as a freelance translator for the Police, NHS and the criminal prosecution service and she spent five years as an international seafood trader where she was able, as part of her job, to travel the world.

Language skills can lead directly into a career in translating, interpreting or teaching, and are also in demand in areas such as hospitality, law, publishing and business services but there are many more opportunities than you think. Modern languages degrees typically involve spending a year abroad and this can be an opportunity to find work in a field that interests you and gain relevant experience. Many big graduate employers are multinational organisations and are keen to recruit candidates who are willing to work overseas and can liaise effectively with international colleagues. Studying modern languages is likely to develop interpersonal and communication skills that graduate recruiters value, as well as other key strengths.

Mrs Harding has picked her ‘Top Five’ careers requiring language skills below:

1.

Intelligence Analyst with MI5.

‘Whether spoken by millions or whispered by a few, we know the power of language. MI5 needs people who can speak, understand and listen to a wide range of languages and dialects. The ability to work in one or more languages is a vital skill which helps us in our daily efforts to keep the country safe. As a Foreign or English Language Analyst you will be listening to and analysing a wide range of audio material which will assist and support our teams of investigators. Not only do our Foreign Language Analysts listen, translate and analyse information, they also provide expert insight into a country’s culture, political landscape and history.’

Source: www.mi5.gov.uk/careers/opportunities/languages

2. Political Risk Analyst.

Working as a political risk analyst, you’ll examine issues such as economic conditions, crime levels, threat of conflict, government stability and governance, trade and regulations, or humanitarian and human rights issues. You may work in or with a range of private sector companies to inform business and investment conditions, or on behalf of governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to assist national and international policy making and strategy. Depending on your employer, you may also be known as a country risk analyst, country researcher, geopolitical risk analyst or intelligence analyst.

Source: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/political-risk-analyst

3. Diplomatic Service Officer

As a diplomatic services officer, you'll specialise in the practical side of diplomatic work and will deal with foreign policy and service delivery overseas. You'll also have the opportunity to influence international and diplomatic development.

The FCDO deals with issues such as:

• conflict resolution

• counter terrorism

• trade and investment

• forced marriages

• human rights

• climate change.

Source: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/diplomatic-service-officer

4. Human Resources Manager

A HR (human resources) function in an organisation is responsible for ensuring that a workforce is able to perform optimally, ensuring that there are sufficient people are recruited, retained, trained and supported to fulfil the organisation’s goals and commitments. As such, HR’s remit includes health and safety, recruitment, training, payroll and more. A HR officer (also known as a HR adviser) can be a generalist, who carries out a broad range of duties, or a specialist, who focuses on a particular area. Specialisms include employee relations, careers coaching, health and safety and headhunting. HR generalists are more common in small organisations while larger companies may hire specialists to take on one of these responsibilities as their entire role. In very small organisations, HR tasks may be split between several people who also work on other tasks.

Source: https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions/human-resources-officer-jobdescription

5. Broadcast Journalist

Broadcast journalists research, investigate and present news and current affairs content for television, radio and the internet. Their aim is to present information in a balanced, accurate and interesting way through news bulletins, documentaries and other factual programmes.

Broadcast journalists can occupy a number of roles within the media, including:

• editor

• reporter

• presenter or news anchor

• producer

• correspondent.

Source: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/broadcast-journalist

Mrs J Harding