Careers and Internships

• Ask questions! What do I think I want to do? What do I enjoy?  What do I need to improve?
• How would you like your language to be part of your life and/or career in the future? Consider how the language might complement or expand a career path beyond the language itself (e.g. in medicine, business, law, government service, NGO’s, arts, fashion, education, graduate study, etc.).
• Meet with your teachers or faculty advisor and ask questions.
• Join various student language and culture clubs to meet other students with similar interests.
• Seek out advice from faculty and advisors on campus. Cultivate relationships for future letters of recommendation.
• Go to the Center for Career Exploration and Services and make a plan! Meet with a career advisor and engage in CCSE activities (attend sponsored programs or job fairs)..
• Learn to articulate your strengths: create a Handshake profile and create a strong resumé.

• Talk with department faculty advisors about different career paths. Identify what it takes to realize your professional goals (advanced study, graduate degrees, internships).
• Identify career sectors that interest you. Create a LinkedIn profile and monitor all your social media to make sure you present a professional public image.
• Attend CCES sponsored activities and events. Conduct informational interviews and explore your options while you make professional contacts. Get a professional headshot at the CCES’s photo booth.
• Attend the Fall Career and Internship Fair to speak with employers about internship opportunities. Practice talking about your skills and what you have to offer a future employer.
• Consider studying abroad. Think about how experiential learning and global experience acquired during study abroad will benefit your career profile and goals.
• Investigate the role of graduate/professional schools and/or grants and scholarships (Fulbright) to advance your career goals.
• Learn more about what our alumni have gone on to do for ideas about different career paths.

• Refine and update your professional materials, such as resumé and cover letters. Learn about the interviewing process, professional networking, and sign up for mock interviews to practice.
• Work with department faculty to learn about possible internship opportunities as well as job opportunities abroad (like a teaching English abroad program) the Peace Corps, or Teach for America.
• Get involved in a professional organization related to your career field as well as Miami clubs and organizations to further develop public speaking, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Identify faculty and staff who may be able to serve as references.
• Attend career and internship fairs.
• Submit applications. Stay organized by keeping a log of all employer contacts, interview offers, and follow-up activities.Verify that letters of recommendation have been sent.
• Please report on your progress and share results with Department faculty. We want to know!

Department of World Languages and Cultures

Irvin Hall 105
400 East Spring Street
Oxford, OH 45056-3645
United States
(513) 529-2526
 

See Also

• Department of Spanish and Portuguese
• Havighurst Center for East European, Russian and Eurasian Studies
• Interactive Language Resource Center
  
• College of Arts and Science
• Miami University Libraries

 Directions to Irvin Hall