Sussex Centre for Language Studies

Employability

Studying a language puts you in a great position for the global labour market or further study.

Languages Work is the national information resource on careers with languages, from CILT (the National Centre for Languages).

Studying Languages at university is full of good advice from current undergraduates on how to boost your employability during your study as well as after your degree.

Sussex's Careers and Employability Centre have a section for language students as well as plenty on international work and study and conversely lots of information on jobhunting for international students. They also offer:

  • Briefing Sessions: 30 minutes every lunchtime throughout every term (covering CVs, internships, job search, further study and all things careers) are available for students to book into.
  • SussexPlus online webfolios: weekly introduction sessions available as well as online support.
  • Career Exploration in Arts and Humanities Workshop runs termly for students unclear or uncertain about their options after Sussex.
  • One to one careers advice sessions run from 10 – 5pm and late night on Wednesday til 7pm. 
  • Employer events and careers adviser sessions.
  • Jobs, placements, term-time work and internships - search their database, and check their feed of jobs from around the web.
  • Careers news - register for email alerts to be sent to you.

Skillclouds can help you to understand and articulate the skills you are developing on your degree.

Fulfil your global potential! British graduates with language skills (including lawyers, engineers and scientists) are highly sought after by European Union institutions. The UK represents 12% of the EU population but only 4.8% of EU staff, and in the 2010 recruitment round the UK had the lowest number of applications of all member states (1.5%). The Foreign Office is concerned about this and has produced a guide to EU careers.

Modern languages page at Prospects (the offical UK graduate careers site) covers job options and career areas, but also has a useful summary of skills and case studies.

Jobs websites

University of East Anglia careers service have a good set of links for language-related jobs.

Thirdyearabroad.com's Jobs Board

Jobs in English Language Teaching:

A few alumni

BA Spanish and French (2010): Translation Co-ordinator at one of the biggest translation companies in England. "I am using my Spanish and French language skills and I am the direct contact between the corporate clients, the translators and the lawyers. I have to constantly use my languages to read through the patent documents ... Languages at Sussex gave me a great insight into the appropriate skills needed to work in the translation industry."

BA Art History and Spanish (2010): Publisher's Assistant for an arts-based publisher "liaising daily with the Foreign Language department which demands use of my Spanish language. I love the job and am very happy that it makes use of both my Sussex University majors."

BA German and Spanish (2009): Foreign Affairs Specialist in Polish regional government "responsible for the organisation and coordination of diplomatic visits to the Governor and liaison of contacts abroad. I also assisted preparation of Poland’s EU Presidency in 2011. I often interpret during public appearances and meetings with foreign guests, a skill practiced intensively during my course at Sussex."

BA ELT and Spanish (2008): "On completion of my degree, I moved to Italy to work as an English Language teacher and take on the challenge of learning a new language. After three years working in a language school, teaching and working on curriculum design, placement tests, end-of-year assessments, recruitment and training of new staff, I now work in the tourist industry whilst studying part-time towards a Masters in Translation. My time at Sussex provided me with theoretical knowledge, awareness and skills related to languages and language-learning which, together with the practical experience gained during my degree, have opened many windows of opportunity in my professional and personal lives."

BA ELT and Spanish & German (2008): "My newly acquired qualification helped me to get a teaching position in Thailand, where I worked for one school year. On my return I decided to specialise in English language teaching with a focus on learning technologies, and completed an MA in Media-Assisted Language Teaching. I have taught in a variety of schools since I finished my first degree and am now teaching academic English and study skills in the Higher Education sector."

BA Anthropology and Italian (2005): External Relations Officer at UNAIDS in Geneva.

Read more feedback in full from recent SCLS graduates