What Can I Do With a Major In Arabic?

UGA Specific Information for Arabic

Arabic is a Semitic language akin to Hebrew, Aramaic, and Amharic, and more distantly related to certain language families of North Africa. Studying Arabic has many benefits. Arabic is a beautiful language with a rich heritage of literature, scholarly work and ancient culture. It was adopted by the United Nations as one of its six official languages in 1974. Students become familiar with many of the cultural patterns, social issues, historical events, artistic traditions, and elements of daily life of the people whose cultures are rooted in Arabic. Practical as well as curious about the world, students feel that knowing Arabic will give them a career edge in such fields as diplomacy, intelligence, business, engineering, international development, and academia. Many companies in the United States and abroad are looking for employees who speak more than one language. 

Students who major in a specific language are well-equipped to enter a variety of fields and to continue their education through professional or graduate school. The skills acquired as a language major are increasingly useful in our interdependent world, and some languages are currently in particular demand. Arabic speakers are particularly needed in areas of government, international relations, and national security.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW POSSIBLE EMPLOYERS/POSITION TITLES FOR THIS MAJOR

Campus Resources

To find additonal clubs and organizations, visit the Center for Student Organizations.

And connect with your Career Consultant!

Additional UGA Career Center Recommendations

SKILLS

The study of languages develops a core set of skills sought after by employers in a wide range of occupational settings. A sampling of representative skills and abilities follows.

Communication

  • Multilingualism
  • Cross-cultural communication
  • Expressing & understanding multiple viewpoints
  • Presenting information logically
  • Reading critically
  • Writing effectively
  • Linguistic sophistication

Human Relations

  • Understanding cultural differences
  • Sensitivity to cultural issues
  • Flexibility in thinking and learning
  • Ability to adjust to new environments
  • Appreciation of cultural history, literature, politics, music, and more

Critical Thinking

  • Thinking collaboratively
  • Analyzing information, cultures, and complex problems
  • Comparing & contrasting interpretations
  • Offering diverse perspectives
  • Assessing cultural differences
  • Synthesizing themes
  • Research skills

Problem Solving

  • Assessing needs
  • Defining problems
  • Understanding alternative perspectives
  • Gathering information from a variety of sources
  • Weighing alternatives
  • Generating creative solutions

SAMPLE INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

  • U.S. State Department
  • Government agencies (e.g. National Security Agency)
  • Embassy (U.S. & foreign)
  • Museums (e.g. Smithsonian Institutions)
  • Educational Programs (e.g. Summerbridge)
  • Consulting firms (e.g. Social Technologies)
  • Media (e.g. ABC Nightline, Dateline NBC)

(source: Georgetown University - What Can I do with my Language Major?)

Tip: Join LinkedIn groups that are related to your career interest. To search, select “groups” under the “interests” tab. Also, review the groups that professionals in your field of interest have joined and consider joining them as well.

Interested in graduate school? Find current information on getting into graduate school at UGA’s Career Center webpage.

Additional Career Research Resources

O*NET Online – The O*NET database includes information on skills, abilities, knowledge, work activities, and interests associated with over 900 occupations.  

My Next Move – An interactive tool for students and job seekers to learn more about their career options.  

Occupational Outlook Handbook – The OOH is a career resource offering information on the hundreds of occupations that provide most of jobs in the United States.  

Vault – Vault.com provides in-depth intelligence on what it’s really like to work in an industry, company, or profession – and how to position yourself to land that job.  

Candid Career – This resource provides you with access to thousands of informational video interviews with real professionals through an easy-to-use website.  

UGA Mentor Program – Connect with a mentor (alumni, faculty, staff) to research and explore industries and careers. Research industries and careers by connecting with a mentor for a quick chat or formal 16-week mentorship through the UGA Mentor Program.  

Interstride - Interstride is an interactive tool for both international and domestic students to enhance their international experience and employment potential. The platform consists of job-listings, hiring trends, employer information, self-assessments, and up-to-date immigration guidance. 

Glassdoor - Glassdoor is a free jobs and career community that offers an inside look at jobs and companies through "employee generated content" – anonymous salaries, company reviews, interview questions, and more – all posted by employees and job seekers.  

Steppingblocks - Research your future career with real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with career and education searches designed to find your best path based on millions of others. It’s data-powered career exploration for doers like you.

Employment Websites

GENERAL:

  • Handshake (scroll down to the bottom of the page; login with your UGA MyID and password)  

  • LinkedIn (this popular networking site also has a job board!) 

  • Idealist (non-profit jobs) 

  • USAJobs (federal jobs) 

MAJOR/CAREER SPECIFIC:

Professional Associations/Resources

Possible Employers Who May Hire UGA Arabic Majors

Airports | Architectural Firms | Archives | Bookstores | Broadcasting Companies | Chambers of Commerce | Communications Firms | Consumer Affairs Offices | Foreign Service | Government Agencies | Heartland Bank & Trust | Historical Societies | Human Services Agencies | Import/Export Companies | Insurance Companies | Justice Department | Legal Firms | Magazines and Newspapers | Military Branches | Museums | Nonprofit Organizations | Professional Associations | Public Relations Firms | Publishing Companies | Radio/Television Stations | Research Foundations | State/Local Governments | Television / Film Industry | Travel Agencies | Visitors Bureaus

Possible Job Titles for UGA Arabic Majors

Banker | Broadcaster | Civil Service Worker | Columnist | Consultant | Corporate Manager | Development Program Officer | Editor | Environmentalist | Foreign Correspondent | Foreign Service Officer | Government Relations Specialist | Human Resource Specialist | Import/Export Manager | Intelligence Analyst | Interpreter | Lecturer | Librarian | Linguist | Literary Agent | Lobbyist | Manager | Market Analyst | Political Risk Analyst | Press Representative | Public Relations Specialist | Publishing Assistant | Reporter | Researcher | Translator | Travel Agent

Return to "What Can I Do with a Major In ...?"