¿Hablan Español?

During the cold months of winter, Jamie Mattson’s co-workers commuted to work in frigid conditions. Mattson, however, was spared a few nasty weeks of winter when her company sent her to Puerto Rico to teach financial-education seminars. Why did Mattson get to go to Puerto Rico while her boss endured sub-zero temperatures? Simple: she speaks both English and Spanish.
Speaking a foreign language gives you a crucial inside edge for many industries. Knowing a second language increases your marketability in any field. Which language is right for me? If you want to pick a language that will enhance your career, it’s important to be realistic about your goals.
Here’s some direction to help you make the right language choice: French: A lot of scientific literature is in French, so chemistry, mathematics and physics majors are advised to learn the language. Business majors interested in Middle Eastern trade should also consider French, since it is used in some international Arabic affairs.
German: Many science articles are in German. German is also important to engineering and business majors, as Germany is a world leader in both. Hebrew: Certain aspects of archaeological research require Hebrew abilities. Hebrew is also key for Biblical research students.
Italian: Italian-speaking business majors may be preferred in manufacturing industries. Archaeological, architecture, art, music and opera students should also consider Italian classes.
Japanese: Japan is a strong force in world business affairs, and an understanding of the culture and language is appreciated and beneficial to international business majors.
Russian: Science and math professionals who cannot keep up with Russian progress may be left behind. Russian is especially valuable to aerodynamics, electronics, mathematics, metallurgy, nuclear science, engineering and theoretical physics majors.
Spanish: Spanish fluency is valued in many states. Students interested in fire science and health care are strongly encouraged to study Spanish. Trade in Latin America, the Caribbean and Mexico makes Spanish useful to business majors. ¡Déme el trabajo! (Give me the job!) Want to be able to have your pick of jobs?
Being bilingual can help you eliminate the competition and catch the attention of employers. Veronica Lima, for example, only pulls out bilingual applications when digging through piles of resumes. “When you hire a bilingual, you know this person comes knowing two cultures and two languages,” says Lima. “You have that benefit for marketing purposes, and that’s a big benefit for any company, both small and large.”
Mike Lucchesi, a recent college graduate, discovered during his job hunt that many corporations value bilingual applicants. Before he even received his diploma, Lucchesi, who is fluent in English, Italian and Spanish, had eight job offers in the field of manufacturing. ¡Págueme más, lo merezco! (Pay me more, I’m worth it.)
Bilingual employees bring extra skills to companies, so many employers are willing to provide additional pay, travel opportunities and special projects. Mattson, for example, enjoys rewards her English-only counterparts do not receive. “They pay me more,” she says. “Plus, I have more job security because I offer something that not everyone offers.”
Both Mattson and Lucchesi have had the opportunity to do projects in other countries. One recent assignment landed Lucchesi in Europe for six weeks. ¿Quieres empezar? (Want to get started?)
With all the opportunities and benefits available to bilinguals, many students want to get started. But some students are intimidated by the thought of making mistakes, or they don’t know how to help themselves become fluent. To become fluent, both Lima and Mattson recommend you immerse yourself in the language. “You really have to go to a place where that’s all they speak,” Mattson says. Study abroad, join a club or organization through which you can submerse yourself in the language on a regular basis. Puedes hacerlo. (You can do it.) Mastering a foreign language is completely within your abilities. And once you grasp a second language, the opportunities are endless.

Article provided by