“More than 80% of employers want the skills that humanities majors cultivate, like critical thinking, analytical reasoning, good written and oral communication skills.”
—HART RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 2015
Providing the Skills You Need: Asian Languages & Cultures courses, majors, and certificates prepare students for a variety of career opportunities. In addition to becoming fluent in critical languages, our students learn to understand different cultures, think globally, develop written and oral communication skills, and improve critical thinking and analysis skills. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers’s Job Outlook 2016 report, these are important skills employers look for in job applicants.
Become a Well-Rounded Job Candidate: Many of our majors and certificate students have another major—including majors in the science, engineering, and business. Our majors and certificates perfectly compliment these degree programs by building different skill sets that are valuable to all employers. Read about what alumni say about the value of studying a language at UW.
Can I Get a Job with an ALC, Chinese, Japanese Major or Certificate? Students completing a degree or certificate in our department gain essential skills for careers in communications & journalism, education, international business and law, non-profits, diplomatic and military service, and other exciting fields. Our students also go on to law school, library school, medical school, and graduate school. However, the skills and knowledge learned in our programs can be applied to many more career paths. Read more about careers for foreign language students.
SUCCESSWORKS
SuccessWorks is a place where L&S students from all majors can explore their interests, connect with others who share their passions, and develop skills they need to take their next steps toward success. They offer tools such as Discover Careers, Job Search Tools and Strategies, Interview Skills, Graduate School Prep, Career Development courses, and On-Campus Interviews.
If you explore “Career Communities” on the left dropdown of their page, you will find areas of career focus. Each of these areas has a Facebook community where you can locate pertinent job postings, internships and other connections in your job field.
The “Events” section is also useful for viewing upcoming Career Fairs and other SuccessWorks events (Mock interviews, Employer Info sessions and workshops).
You can make an appointment to get one-on-one help! Their new office is above the bookstore on the State Street Mall.
CAREER EXPLORATION CENTER
CEC advisors help students explore majors and careers in a variety of ways. Each semester, the CEC hosts a variety of workshops to help students continue to explore their major and career options.
Center is open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m
LANGUAGE INSTITUTE
The Language Institute provides career advising related to foreign language studies. Contact Kaitlin Koehler, International Directions Advisor, to discuss academic programs and campus resources that fit students’ international and language interests as well as professional opportunities (full-time jobs and internships) that draw on these experiences.
INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIP
UW-Madison International Internships Program maintains a database of international internships and provides advising for such internships. They also have information about how to get course credit and funding for your internship. International Internship Spring Advising, located in 259 Bascom Hall.