French/Spanish

What can I do with a major in French/Spanish

In today's globalized context, students of modern languages are being prepared for membership in a global community that extends far beyond the boundaries of the English-speaking world. Modern Languages is about far more than just learning how to communicate in another language. It’s about exploring other identities and values through language, literature, history and culture in a global community.

As Canada’s second official language and one of the six official languages of the United Nations, French is the 5th most widely spoken language. It is the 3rd global business language and the 2nd business language of the European Area.

Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world. There are over 400 million native speakers and millions more non-native speakers. In Canada, Spanish is the fifth most spoken language.

Students who study French/Spanish will acquire a strong working knowledge of French and Spanish and learn about the historical and cultural heritage that characterizes the modern French and Spanish speaking worlds. They will gain awareness of other cultures through courses in language, literature, and culture and civilization, and through academic and living experiences in Canada or abroad.

Students interested in French/Spanish can complete:

  • Bachelor of Arts (French/Spanish)
  • Bachelor of Arts and Science (French/Spanish)
  • Bachelor of Arts (French/Spanish)/Bachelor of Education (BEd)

The combined degrees leverage synergies with other Bachelor programs and open up additional career opportunities.

Program Planning Guides

Skills

  • Ability to Meet Deadlines
  • Ability to Organize & Memorize Detailed Information
  • Ability to Influence & Persuade Others
  • Ability to Understand Historical Language Change
  • Creative Thinking
  • Critical & Analytical Thinking
  • Editing
  • Effective Cross-Cultural Communication
  • Interpersonal
  • Knowledge & Tolerance of Other Cultures
  • Knowledge of Grammar & Vocabulary
  • Oral & Written Communication
  • Proficiency in Phonetics & Ability to Imitate Sounds
  • Research

Work Environment

Reading, writing, and speaking French/Spanish represents an invaluable communicative skill, which opens doors in a wide variety of industries and provides students with dynamic career opportunities such as teaching, interpreting, international trade, translation, hospitality and travel industries, sales, providing of services, technical writing, government, foreign affairs, consultation and graduate teaching and research.

French/Spanish also provides in excellent foundation for education, law, journalism or speech-language pathology and audiology. Many graduates will pursue a career for which knowledge of a second language is a primary requirement or a wonderful asset.

The capabilities gained in completing a major in French or French/Spanish are highly sought after and can be applied to practically any working scenario. Graduates may find employment in government agencies, publishing houses, non-governmental organizations, political parties, libraries, international business companies or travel and tourism companies.

Key Areas of Specialization:

  • Language Acquisition
  • Literacy
  • French
  • Spanish
  • Language & Culture
  • Linguistics
  • Translation
  • Interpretation

Career Possibilities

These jobs are normally intended for new graduates and require 0 to 2 years of experience. It is important to note that many entry level positions require some related experience or demonstrated ability to perform job-related tasks. Even those positions that do not require experience will still prefer an experienced candidate if one is available.

  • Administrative Support Agent
  • Bilingual Office Clerk
  • Customer Advocate
  • Customer Experience Representative
  • Customer Support Analyst
  • English to French Technical Translator/ Reviser
  • Flight Attendant
  • Freelance Interpreter
  • French or Spanish as a Second Language Instructor
  • French or Spanish Research Agent
  • International Student Advisor
  • Museum Program Instructor
  • Railway Station Service Agent
  • Reported/Editor –French or Spanish Services
  • Travel Service Consultant

These jobs generally require extensive, relevant work experience and/or further education.

  • Announcer
  • Anthropologist
  • Bilingual Customer Service Specialist
  • Broadcaster
  • Certified Court Interpreter
  • Certified Terminologist
  • Certified Translator
  • Civil Servant
  • Civil/Foreign Service Administrator
  • Communication Specialist
  • Community Interpreter
  • Community Worker
  • Compliance Officer
  • Conference Interpreter
  • Coordinator –Programs Abroad
  • Copy Editor
  • Court Interpreter
  • Customs Inspector
  • Customs Officer
  • Diplomat
  • Editor
  • ESL Instructor
  • Foreign Affairs Agent
  • Foreign Affairs Specialist
  • Foreign Services Officer
  • Immigration Inspector
  • Immigration Officer
  • Import/Export Coordinator
  • International Banker
  • International Business Analyst/Consultant
  • International Centre Director
  • International Development Specialist
  • International Education Assistant
  • International Exchange Program Coordinator
  • International Trade Officer
  • Interpreter
  • Interpreter for the Deaf
  • Journalist
  • Language Teacher
  • Librarian
  • Linguist
  • Literary Translator
  • Museum Educator/Docent
  • News Correspondent
  • Political Aide
  • Politician
  • Proof-reader
  • Public Relations Officer
  • Publisher
  • Research Assistant
  • Researcher
  • Scientific Linguist
  • Sign Language Interpreter
  • Social Worker
  • Speech Pathologist
  • Teacher
  • Technical Writer
  • Terminologist
  • Textbook Publisher
  • Tourism Officer
  • Translator
  • Travel Agent/Tourist Guide
  • University Professor

On average, people change their careers three to five times in their lifetime. So, no matter what major you choose, you may still be interested in opportunities totally unrelated to your program of study. We encourage you to be open to all possibilities! Your undergraduate degree can be a springboard for other educational pursuits, and your transferable skills and experience can prepare you to work in a multitude of settings.

  • Advertising Agent
  • Audiologist
  • Banker
  • Blogger
  • Conference Planner
  • Corrections Officer
  • Financial Consultant
  • Fundraising & Event Manager
  • Health Administrator
  • Historian
  • Hotel Manager
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Insurance Agent
  • Law Enforcement Officer
  • Lawyer
  • Legal Terminologist
  • Management Consultant
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Marketing & Advertising Agent
  • Marketing Specialist/Manager
  • Mediator
  • Medical Terminologist
  • Producer
  • Project Officer/Manager
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Web Designer

Useful Resources


Add Value to Your Degree

The more you do to differentiate yourself, the more likely you are to succeed in building a fulfilling career path for yourself. It takes more than just attending classes to stand out amongst other students and new graduates. Become an explorer! Try new things, challenge yourself, build unique skills, and connect with diverse people.

Use the ideas listed below to help you brainstorm experiences to add value to your degree. For more ideas on experiential opportunities at the University of Lethbridge, view the Student Experience Transcript.

Making connections with others is one of the best ways to learn about the world of work and gain access to career-building opportunities. Making meaningful connections with people is often called building a network. Building these connections can give you access to jobs before they are posted, or to jobs that are not publicly posted. Employers like to hire people they have already built relationships with, and are more likely to hire people who have been recommended by trusted colleagues and friends.

Start building your network by attending Career Fairs and other on-campus recruitment events found on the Career Services Events page within the Career Bridge portal. Get introduced to career professionals in a welcoming and approachable way through uLethbridge Connect at Ten Thousand Coffees. Consider joining a professional association to help you find opportunities to meet experienced professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.

d professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.

Co-operative Education allows you to earn income through real-world work experience that is related to your academic studies. Completing a co-op work term provides you with an opportunity to build your skills in a practical work setting, network with employers, and increase your marketability after graduation.

Co-operative education is available to undergraduate and graduate-level students within a variety of programs in the Faculty of Arts & Science, Dhillon School of Business, Faculty of Fine Arts, and Faculty of Health Sciences. Learn more about eligibility requirements and how co-op works here.

The Applied Studies program offers you the opportunity to earn academic credit for learning gained through employment or volunteer experiences. Placements provide skill development and experiential learning related to your studies by integrating principles learned in the classroom with practical situations encountered on the job.

Participating in clubs and running for student government are great ways to build employability skills, learn how to work with others, and demonstrate your leadership abilities.

The University of Lethbridge Students’ Union is committed to building a rewarding and enriching experience for undergraduate students. They have positions for Executive Council members and General Assembly members, as well as an extensive list of ratified clubs, offering opportunities to get involved in areas of interest and in leadership positions.

The Graduate Students’ Association’s mandate is to identify and advocate for graduate student needs. They have GSA Executive positions, GSA Council positions, and a mentorship program for incoming students.

The University of Lethbridge provides many different opportunities to gain research experience in addition to the required courses in your degree program.

An independent study is a chance for you to design your own research project for course credit under the supervision of a professor of your choice. Course work usually requires independent library research and/or field work and/or a major term paper. For more information, meet with an Academic Advisor and the Department or Faculty member under whom you wish to pursue an Independent Study.

You can also opt to complete an Undergraduate Thesis Course. This will allow you to earn an “Honours Thesis” designation on your degree and is a great springboard into graduate studies and professional programs. Fourth-year standing and a cumulative GPA of 3.30 is required to complete an Honours Thesis; it is also helpful to have previous research experience like Independent Studies. For more information, contact the Department or Faculty member under whom you with to pursue your Honours Thesis.

The Office of Research and Innovation Services has a wealth of information on additional research opportunities for students, including Student Funding, Student Research Positions, AGILITY, and events. The School of Graduate Studies has information on Research Opportunities/Graduate Student Positions and GA/Co-op/Internship Opportunities. If you are interested in building your research portfolio, do not miss out on these opportunities!

International experience builds valuable employability skills like adaptability, multi-cultural awareness, and the initiative to take on new challenges. Gain an international perspective by participating in Education Abroad opportunities like semester exchanges, study tours, field studies, work-study tours, internships, and more. Learn about international careers and resources through MyWorldAbroad (available within the Career Bridge portal).

Volunteerism is an excellent way to demonstrate your current skills, build new skills, and grow your network. If you are not sure where to get started, connect with UVolunteer, the University of Lethbridge’s partnership with Volunteer Lethbridge. If you already volunteer, UVolunteer can provide you with a framework to organize and document your volunteer work. If you are not sure how or where to get involved, UVolunteer can help you find volunteer opportunities that meet your needs and the needs of your community. Also consider volunteering with a local Board, Commission, or Committee.