What Can I Do With a Major In Linguistics?

• Department of Linguistics
• The Linguistics Society at UGA

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

And connect with your Career Consultant!

General Information and Strategies

• Linguistics is an interdisciplinary field and therefore good preparation for a wide variety of graduate programs including: linguistics, speech pathology, audiology, cognitive sciences, English, law, journalism, foreign languages, etc.
• Students who major in linguistics develop strong analytical and communication skills and the ability to debate. They are commonly required to gain proficiency in a second language.
• Students should consider a secondary area of study such as, foreign language, computer science, psychology, or other area of interest to increase opportunities for employment or graduate school.
• Consider study abroad and getting involved with the international community on campus. Attend language conversation tables.
• Research career paths of interest and seek to gain the skills, experiences, and degrees necessary to work in that field.
• Conduct informational interviews with or shadow professionals to learn about various work environments.
• Join related professional associations as a student member.
• Because many career paths require graduate education, learn about the graduate school admissions process and build a strong candidacy.
• Gain relevant experience through jobs, volunteer positions, or internships.
• 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.

• 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.

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:

• The Linguist List
• Job Center - Linguistic Society of America
• Center for International Trade and Security (CITS)
• CIA Language Positions
• U.S. Department of State Careers 
• U.S. Travel Association
• The Electronic Embassy: U.S. Foreign Embassies

• The Association for Computational Linguistics
• Linguistic Society of America
• American Dialect Society
• Society for the Study of the Indigenous Languages of America
• College Language Association 
• Modern Language Association
• American Association for Applied Linguistics 
• American Association of Language Specialists
• American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
• American Translators Association