What Can You Do With A Major In French Studies?
French is spoken on five continents by over 200 million people in 43 countries in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia. It is an official working language of the United Nations, UNESCO, the International Red Cross, the International Monetary Fund, the Council of Europe, and European Union, and other international organizations.
Typical Career Paths
Government
Industry and Commerce
Travel and Tourism
Interpretation
Translation
Service
Education
Arts, Media, Entertainment
Typical Job Titles-Entry Level
French Teacher
Travel Agent
Travel Tour Organizer
Translator
Salesperson
Law Enforcement Agencies
Typical Job Titles- 2 Years Experience And/Or Master's Degree
FBI Agent
Foreign Diplomat
Foreign Affairs Officer
French Professor
Overseas Personnel Manager
Paralegal
Interpreter
International Consultant
International Trade
General Career Directions
Bilingual Officers
Cultural Liaison
Cultural Officer
FBI Agent
Financial Institutes
Foreign Diplomat
Foreign Correspondent
Foreign Service Officer
Human Resource Director
International Consultant
International Trade Economist
International Trade Specialist
Interpreter
Law Enforcement Agencies
Museum Curator
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Overseas Personnel Manager
Overseas Plant Manager
Paralegal
Public Health Administrator
Radio/Tv Announcer
Reporter
Salesperson
Social Services
Social Worker
Sports Agent
Teacher
Translator
Travel Agent
Travel Tour Organizer |
Typical Employers/Work Settings
Colleges/Universities
Financial Institutes
Government Agencies
Information Technology
Law Enforcement Agencies
Media Companies
Medical Companies
Overseas Corporations
Social Services
Travel Agencies
Intelligence Agencies
Homeland Security
Department of Defense
Banks and Financial Institutions
Manufacturers
Retail Stores
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Environmental Firms
Advertising Agencies
Law Firms
Tour and excursion companies
Hotels/Motels
Resorts
Restaurants
Airlines/Airports
Cruise Lines
Car Rental Agencies
Hospitals
Museums
Book Publishers
Internet Media Companies
Radio Stations
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Match This Major To Careers
Skills Needed For This Career
| Speaking to groups |
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Reading/writing another language |
| Clarifying ideas |
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Writing clearly |
| Understanding historical language change |
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Explaining complex concepts |
| Reading critically |
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Interpreting data |
| Evaluating information |
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Evaluating evidence |
| Comparing translation interpretations |
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Gathering information |
| Working with original sources in many fields |
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Organizing material/information |
| Summarizing ideas |
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Compiling/recording data |
| Evaluating results |
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Collaborating as part of a team |
| Determining the needs of others |
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Acknowledging value systems |
| Listening carefully |
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Interviewing non-judgmentally |
| Designing instruments |
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Reporting and editing |
| Reading for content and structure |
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Working with research subjects |
| Communicating between cultures |
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Understanding cultural diversity |
| Adapting to other cultures |
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Weighing values |
Beginning Salary Ranges
Payscale.com- Typical Salaries
Entry Level with a Bachelor’s Degree: $37,788-From the Summer 2011 NACE Salary Survey (National Association of Colleges and Employers)
Salary Resources
Links To Professional Associations
Professional Associations are important to explore because many offer student memberships and can give you access to other professionals and their experiences, research, convention or workshop opportunities, professional development and most importantly job databases.
American Association of Teachers of French
American Translators Association
International Association for Translation and Intercultural Studies
National Association of Bilingual Education
Job Search Information
http://www.cadremploi.fr/http://www.esljobs.com/http://www.jobsabroad.com/search.cfmhttp://www.jobsinparis.fr/http://www.languagejobs.org/http://www.proz.com/http://www.tefl.net/http://www.translatorscafe.com/cafe/default.asp
Graduate School
Applying To Graduate and Professional Schools
Link To UNF Academic Program
The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of North Florida offers a Bachelor of Arts in French Studies.
Holland Interest Codes
French Studies: Artistic; Social; Enterprising (ASE)
Career Action Plan
- Conduct an informational interview with or shadow a professional in the field to gain more knowledge about this career
- Do at least one internship related to your career goal/program of study before graduating to gain experience
- Get involved in volunteer work and community service
- Develop leadership skills through on-campus activities such as Presidential Envoys, Residence Assistant, Student Government, Peer Advisor, etc.
- Develop team skills through involvement in student clubs and organizations on campus
- Participate in campus activities that promote interaction with international students
- Live and study abroad
- Read international newspapers to stay current on happenings in your countries of choice
- Research companies that do business with countries that speak French
- Learn a third language for increased career opportunities
- Join a professional association related to your career choice
