Best careers for bilinguals or real benefits of speaking more than one language
There is an increasing number of jobs and industries that require language knowledge. Are you passionate about foreign languages and cultures? Language skills are a real advantage if you’re doing a job search. Here are a few examples of jobs that require language skills.
Journalism and communication
The profession of journalist requires mastery of one or more foreign languages, especially if you are required to work as a foreign correspondent. You will need to read the foreign press and interview locals to cover the news.
The communication manager and communication officer are responsible for internal and external communication to promote a company or product. Increasingly working with foreign companies or international brands, a command of at least one foreign language, usually English, is essential for this type of position.
If you aspire to become a journalist or communication manager, language skills will be very useful in finding a job quickly.
Tourism and hospitality
The tourism sector requires constant interaction with people from all over the world. This takes not only the mastery of one or more foreign languages but also the knowledge of cultural codes for each of them.
If you wish to work in the tourism industry, the best way to get to know a culture is to stay abroad, in total immersion, as part of an internship or a language program.
Linguistic and intercultural skills are increasingly appreciated in the hospitality industry. Especially when it comes to international companies working with overseas partners. Assistants or secretaries are in direct communication with foreign clients and therefore have a good command of the language.
International trade
In the international trade sector, language and intercultural skills are essential. To buy, sell, or resell, it is important to establish a genuine relationship with your employees.
For example, the export sales representative whose main task is to negotiate contracts with foreign companies must be fluent in a foreign language. They are the ones who canvass markets in the field or in the export departments of companies and develop relationships with suppliers and customers.
Logistics
In transport and logistics, too, people who are at ease with foreign languages are very much in demand. As soon as a company in this sector operates in an international market, it needs to call on people who are used to communicating in several languages. To apply for a job as a logistics assistant, for example, it is often necessary to be bilingual or trilingual, which is specified in a job ad. The same applies to the position of buyer or export sales assistant.
Jobs dedicated to foreign languages
Translator/interpreter, language teacher, diplomat... are all professions that by definition require a perfect command of a language and its culture.
The translator's job has the advantage of being flexible. For example, you have the possibility of working freelance from home. To find a job quickly, many translators prefer to specialize in a specific field (legal, medical, technical translations, etc.).
If you want to pursue your passion for languages, you can opt for the profession of a language teacher. To do so, you need to obtain a language diploma and then take a competitive examination to become a teacher.
Some benefits of being bilingual
In the age of borderless communication and international travel, limiting yourself to a single language seems almost archaic - even if you are fortunate enough to be a native speaker of a global language such as English or Spanish. In the world so mixed culturally and linguistically, mastering several languages is an indispensable asset. Why? Let's find it out.
Better employability
● You have access to more positions than monolingual candidates.
●During a job interview, bilingual candidates have a greater professional value than monolinguals. In the case of equal competence, employers often favor someone who speaks several languages.
New career opportunities
● Mobility. Bilinguals who wish to benefit from certain mobility within a company or group have the opportunity to travel or settle anywhere they want.
● Recognized skills. Speaking at least one other language develops general skills that are very useful for a company. Bilinguals are also recognized for their adaptability, flexibility, ability to work in a multicultural environment, ability to manage several tasks at the same time, and superior powers of concentration. They are often offered greater responsibilities than their monolingual colleagues.
● Better salaries for an equivalent position. Some studies show that for equal positions a bilingual person can earn between 5 and 20% more than their single-language counterparts.
Positive effects also on health
● Neuroscience says that learning another language develops creativity, better concentration, and good memory. It develops facilities for the future learning of additional languages.
● Bilingualism helps to reduce the effects of aging on the brain. It is now known that the onset of dementia maybe later in bilingual elderly people.
Finally, whatever international career you choose, you should know that cultural fluency is a quality sought after in most sectors. A language program or internship, a language school, or a language certification will enhance your CV immensely.