Careers using foreign languages

Knowledge of one or more foreign languages can be useful in a wide range of careers and, in the 21st century, knowledge of a language besides English can enhance an individual’s career opportunities. With the increasingly global marketplace and Australia’s growing involvement in international business, the importance of foreign languages to Australia in nearly every kind of occupation is evident. Foreign language specialists help break the communication barriers in areas as diverse as international diplomacy, trade, import/export, international finance, stock markets, health, hospitality and retail, and foreign negotiations. Many employers actively seek potential employees with second language skills in addition to their area of expertise since their company or organisation constantly needs to communicate with speakers of other languages.

Below are some examples of the languages taught at Open High School.

German

German is the most widely spoken native language in the European Union. It is a significant world language in the fields of science, medicine, technology and the arts, as well as a business language used in commerce and industry. Germany is one of the largest importers of Australian goods and is a big investor in Australia. Many German tourists visit Australia. They stay longer and spend more per trip than tourists from other countries. Careers in the tourism industry in Australia requiring German speakers are possible. There are many scholarship programs for tertiary and school students and studying in Germany is an exciting and very affordable option.

Greek

The study of Modern Greek provides students with opportunities for continued learning and for future employment and experience, both domestically and internationally, in areas such as public relations, commerce, hospitality, education, marketing, international relations, media tourism and defence.

Italian

Knowing Italian is greatly beneficial in several career fields. Italy is a world leader in the culinary arts, interior design, fashion, graphic design, furniture design, machine tool manufacturing, robotics, electromechanical machinery, shipbuilding, space engineering, construction, machinery and transportation equipment.

Korean

Korean is one of the national priority languages taught in Australian schools, reflecting the fact that Korea has emerged as one of Australia’s major trading partners. Studying Korean equips students with a variety of skills that are useful in the expanding economic activities between Korea and Australia. It can provide enhanced vocational opportunities in such fields as trade, commerce, tourism, banking, international relations, technology and education.

Russian

The study of the Russian language is of great importance to Australia, both economically and culturally. Knowledge of Russian is both useful and desirable in many areas such as agriculture, science, computer studies, engineering and the arts. For people with knowledge of Russian there are career opportunities in a number of fields such as journalism, the sciences, business, accounting, marketing, administration, foreign affairs, teaching, travel and communication.

Types of careers

The following list gives some examples of various careers and jobs in which the knowledge of foreign language is either essential or highly useful, and could possibly be a condition of employment.

Arts and Media

• Artist
• International Art Dealer
• International Art Historian
• Musician
• Fashion Industry jobs
• Marketing
• Advertising
• Publishing companies
• Journalists, including foreign correspondents and travel writers
• Recording Specialists
• Fashion Buyer
• Photographer
• Film production and entertainment media
• Filmmaker • Foreign Correspondent
• Foreign News Photographer
• International Communications
• International Radio Correspondent
• Media Specialist
• Translator of books, articles, and review

Business 

• Bilingual Clerks
• Business Executives
• Finance Director
• Financial Planning Associate
• Importer/Exporter
• Income Tax Consultants
• International Account Manager
• International Agency Staff
• International Business Manager
• International Buyer
• International Consultant
• International Lawyer
• International Sales Representative
• International Trade Economist
• International Trade Specialist
• Market Researcher
• Multilingual Port Receptionist
• Overseas Personnel Manager
• Overseas Plant Manager
• Paralegal
• Patent Attorney
• Personnel Manager
• Production Supervisor
• Public Relations Expert
• Quality Control Supervisor
• Specialists for Import/Export firms
• Transport Equipment Manager
• Representative for Foreign Companies
• International Banking and Finance settlements and transactions.
• Recruitment Personnel
• Import/Export sales representative
• Representatives in Foreign Companies
• Global banking, accounting and finance

Education

• Bilingual Educator
• Foreign Student Advisor
• Overseas teaching for private corporations
• Overseas teaching for diplomats' families
• Professor
• TESOL/ESL Teacher
• Textbook author or editor
• University comparative literature department
• University foreign language department
• University foreign study office
• University linguistics department
• University school of education
• Interpreter in an embassy, consulate, social services 
• Translating services including websites, subtitles, books 
• Sports coach

Finance

• Accountant in ethnic communities
• Bilingual Teller
• Banking Correspondent
• Bank Officer
• International Banking Officer
• International Finance Consultant
• Various jobs in banks and insurance companies

Government

• Bilingual staff in Government Agencies
• Court Interpreter
• Cultural Attaché
• Cultural Officer
• Customs Official
• Customs/Immigration Officer
• Diplomatic Corps
• Foreign Consul
• Foreign Diplomat
• Foreign Exchange Trader
• Foreign Service Officer
• Foreign Service Peacekeeping
• Intelligence Officer
• Intelligence Researcher
• Intelligence Specialist
• Interpreter
• Linguist
• National Security Agent
• Negotiator
• UNESCO Official
• International non-profit organisations
• Department of Defence and International Embassies
• Aid agency worker
• Government/ Non-Government Organisations
• Armed Services

Medicine

• Botanical Medicine Specialist
• Doctors working with minority populations
• Emergency Medicine
• Health Services
• Hospital Management
• Laboratory Technician
• Nurses working with minority populations
• Nursing and Medicine in Ethnic Communities
• Pharmaceutical
• Studying or practicing medicine overseas
• Tropical Disease Specialist

Science

• Archaeologist
• Museum Curator
• Researcher
• Scientific Interpreter
• Scientific Linguist
• Scientific research and translating
• Scientific Translator
• Cultural Advisor

Social services

• Bilingual or Multilingual Police Officer
• Bilingual or Multilingual Social Worker
• Case Worker
• Civil Service Employee
• Court Interpreter
• Foreign Social Worker
• Human Resources Director
• Immigration Counsellor
• International Police Officer
• Law Enforcement Officer
• Multilingual Defence Attorneys
• Nursing in ethnic communities
• Public Assistance Interviewer
• Social Work Specialist
• Health Services
• Social services
• Immigration services

Travel services

• Flight Attendants
• Airport Personnel
• Foreign Travel Advisor
• Hotel and Resort Staff Manager
• International Conference Planner
• Restaurant Staff Manager
• Tourist Guide
• Travel Agent
• Travel Writer
• Hotel/Resort Management