Spanish is the second most widely spoken native language in the world, and it is the official language in twenty-one countries. With a degree in Spanish you will be well-equipped to communicate, both orally and in written form, to many segments of the world’s population. If you have a love for the Spanish language and the culture of Spanish-speaking countries, then you might enjoy earning a degree in Spanish. Here are five jobs that you should consider if you intend to earn a Spanish degree.
Customer Service
With the growing Spanish-speaking population in the United States, there is a demand for customer service representatives that can communicate effectively with this population. Customer service representatives answer questions about products and help customers with any technical problems they experience in using these products. There are many industries that require customer service representatives, such as software manufacturers, utility companies, and telecommunication companies. You should be able to work well with people under pressure, and not mind spending long hours on the telephone each day.
Educator
Teachers who are fluent in both Spanish and English are in great demand. If you would like to teach in the public school system, you will need to obtain a teaching degree and certification, along with your Spanish degree. Preschools, daycare centers, tutoring businesses, and community centers all need Spanish speaking teachers who are able to educate children in a range of subjects. Teaching children requires patience and commitment, but it can be a rewarding way to use your Spanish language abilities.
Medical Field
Hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices all have a great need for personnel who are able to communicate with their Spanish-speaking patients. You may need further training in nursing, medical social work, or medical office work to pursue this opportunity. In this job, you could provide a great service to individuals who are sick or in pain, and who might not otherwise be able to effectively communicate their problems to their medical care team.
Sales
The influx of Spanish-speaking individuals provides new opportunities in marketing and sales. These culturally diverse groups have specific preferences and needs, and sales and marketing companies are seeking ways to make their products appeal to this specialized market. You must be a good listener, and be able to make effective presentations about products to succeed as a salesperson, but you will probably not need any other degrees or certifications, besides your Spanish degree, to enter this field.
Public Service
While a college degree is not required for many public service positions, a degree in Spanish will certainly give you an edge in these jobs. Mail carriers, police officers, firefighters, tax agents, and other government employees all have a great advantage when they are able to communicate with the Spanish-speaking individuals they encounter in the course of their work. These civil service jobs require various skill sets and will usually provide on-the-job-training if you are hired.
These are just a few of the career opportunities that a Spanish degree will provide to you. Almost every industry needs individuals who understand and can work with this growing population. For more information on job opportunities, consult the Bureau of Labor Statistics at http://www.bls.gov/.