French

A career in French enables you to prepare for work with diverse culture groups both local and abroad. This major has served as a foundation for successful careers in many fields. A second major or minor is highly recommended.

What is Your Focus?

Here's how to build skills as a Bethel student that will prepare you to compete for some of the most popular french related jobs today.

Education

Job Titles:
French Teacher, ESL Teacher, International Studies Director, Case Worker

Potential Employers:
Schools, Community Centers, Social Service Agencies

Strategies:

Acquire teaching certification in your state
Consider graduate programs for higher education
Volunteer with age group of choice
Maintain a portfolio of lessons and classroom activities
Demonstrate ability to work independently and in groups
Travel to French speaking countries and watch current events

Business, Industry and Commerce

Job Titles:
Employment Interviewer, Industrial Manager, Foreign Tax Accountant, Claims Adjuster, Community Relations, International Sales and Marketing

Potential Employers:
Public Relations Firms, Banks, Investment Firms, Advertising/Marketing Agencies

Strategies:

Study abroad in at least one other country
Consider a minor or double major in business
Develop excellent oral and written communication skills
Earn leadership positions on campus
Learn about current trends in international business
Obtain internships in business settings

Interpreting/Translating

Job Titles:
Translator, Interpreter, Announcer

Potential Employers:
News Bureaus, United Nations

Strategies:

Acquire travel experience in French speaking countries
Become familiar with current events in the French world
Practice language skills by conversing with native speakers
Develop strong oral and written communication skills
Demonstrate ability to work indepenently and in groups

Research

Job Titles:
Anthropologist, Biographer, Linguistic Scientist

Potential Employers:
Schools, Univresities, Libraries, Non-Profit Organizations

Strategies:

Develop relationships with students from a variety of cultures
Study abroad in at least one other country
Volunteer with immigration populations
Develop excellent oral and written communication skills
Earn leadership positions on compus
Learn about current trends and hot topics in education
Pursue graduate degree

Government Positions

Job Titles:
Intelligence Officer, Immigration Officer, Foreign Exports Manager

Potential Employers:
United Nations, CIA, Homeland Security, Various Government Agencies

Strategies:

Find internships with government agencies or officials
Join student or local political organizations
Become familiar with current events in the French speaking world
Practice language skills by conversing with native speakers
Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills
Gan experience with public speaking and persuasion

Communications

Job Titles:
Editor/Publisher, Director of Public Relations, Technical Editor, Public Relations Executive, Magazine Writer

Potential Employers:
Educational Institutions, Non-Profit Organizations, Corporations, Newspapers and Periodicals, Publishing Companies

Strategies:

Consider a minor or double major in Communications
Gain experience with event planning and evaluation
Study abroad in at least one other country
Obtain travel experience both domestically and abroad

Employment Web Sites

General Career Exploration Website - O*Net
Spotlight on Careers Website (You must be logged into the Bethel network to receive access to this site.)

For current employment websites, type keywords such as "french speaking employment" in an online search engine.

Professional Associations

Need More Information?

For more information or assistance with an internship, graduate school or the job search process, please set up an appointment with a Career Counselor in the Office of Career Development and Calling by calling 651.638.6460 or stopping by CC322.

Adapted From:
http://www2.gasou.edu/sta/career
http://www.careers.wcu.edu/majors