As more and more machine translation is used to translate text or speech from one language to another, we are becoming more and more aware that such translation does not take into account the translation of meaning. One of the more common methods to this end is statistical machine translation, but this still may run into errors where the meaning of the text depends on the specific situation. Human knowledge is still the best arbiter as to what text or speech may mean, but this may still produce errors. Here is an article by Katie Kress, a student at The College of Saint Rose, on past human translation mistakes: https://www.languagealliance.com/resources/translations-with-major-consequences/.

The following is a list of possible occupations and fields that foreign language students--especially majors--may consider as they move forward with their education. Some of these careers may require education beyond an Associate in Arts Degree (A.A.)--for example, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or higher--and may also require experience or education in another area. Whatever you decide, your foreign language study will give you an edge in an increasingly global job market!

Business:

Advertising

Business Executives

Personnel Manager

Receptionist

Secretary

Import/Export

Sales

International Law

Banking and Finance

Fashion Industry

Automobile Industry

Public Relations

 

Communications:

International Operator

Foreign Correspondent

Journalist

Photographer

Translater

Interpreter

Editor

Customer Service

Publishing

Advertising

Telecommunications

Film and Entertainment

Subtitles/Voice-Overs

 

Education:

Teacher (K-12)

University/College Professor

Overseas Teacher for Foreign Companies & Diplomats

Study Abroad Coordinator

Tutor

Teacher for Commercial Language Schools

Textbook Author/Editor

Missionary Work

ESL (English as a Second Language) Teacher

 

Government Service:

Peace Corps

Diplomatic Corps/Foreign Civil Service

Court Interpreter

Intelligence (CIA, FBI, National Security)

Immigration and Customs

Federal Agencies

Overseas Dependents' Schools

Aid Agencies

Armed Forces

United Nations

Social Work

 

Humanities and the Arts:

Historian

Travel Writer/Blogger

Author

Vocalist/Singer

Art Historian

Critic/Reviewer

Actor/Actress

Linguist

Theater

Philosophy

Theology

Area Studies

 

Sciences:

Technical Translator

Researcher

Lab Technician

Field Researcher

Engineering

Medicine

Museum Studies

Nursing

Library & Information Science

Anthropologist

Archaeologist

Archivist

 

Technology:

Software Designer/Tester

Applications Trainer

Technical Writer

Technical Support Specialist

Web Community Manager

Web Localization Specialist

Web Developer

Software Consultant

Software Localization Specialist

 

Travel & Hospitality:

Event Management

Hotel and Restaurant Management

Tour Guides

Car Rental Agency

Publisher of Tourist Literature

Foreign Travel Advisors

Travel Agents

Visitor and Convention Bureaus

Airline Services

Sommelier

National Parks