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Linguistics

What can I do with a major in

Linguistics

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences offers a BA  in Linguistics. Linguistics provides a basic understanding of human language and communication by examining features of language that underlie the human capacity to express concepts, communicate ideas, and address the connections between language, brain, culture, mind, and history. It is a basic understanding of the human capacity to acquire, perceive, and produce language and of language’s role in contemporary society.


Linguistics majors develop the following skills:

Analysis: Reading critically; Identifying patterns; Analyzing discourse; Evaluating evidence; Weighing values; Comparing interpretations

Communication: Listening/reading for meaning and social use; Applying knowledge about language; Understanding historical language change; Writing clearly; Informing/explaining ideas; Presenting information effectively

Cross-Cultural: Emphasizing a global perspective; Relating language to social context; Identifying relationships between language groups; Adapting to/functioning in other cultures; Working with persons from other backgrounds

Research: Reading critically; Identifying patterns; Analyzing discourse; Evaluating evidence; Weighing values; Comparing interpretations

Depending on your desired career path, additional skills may need to be developed.  Make an appointment with a career consultant to design your individual career development plan.


Build skills Beyond the Classroom

  • Join related clubs, professional associations, activities, and organizations
  • Read professional journals in the field
  • Find volunteer work in a related area
  • Find part-time employment in a similar area
  • Job shadow someone working in the field
  • Conduct an informational interview with someone working in this area of interest
  • Obtain an internship
  • Work with a mentor or alum.  Contact the Hawk to Hawk program at the KU Alumni Center.

  

Internship Websites


Employment Websites


Career Planning and Resources


Professional Associations

  • American Association for Applied Linguistics
  • American Translators Association
  • International Society for Language Studies
  • Linguistic Society of America
  • Modern Language Association

    • Sample Careers for Linguistic Majors

    Business and Industry

    Skills in communications and analysis make Linguistics majors well suited for:

    Career Options
    Copywriter
    Editor
    Journalist
    Publisher representative
    Speech synthesis specialist
    Technical writer

    Potential Employers
    Companies Hiring Linguists
    Linguists in Business



    Human Services

    Skills in communication and cross-cultural understanding make Linguistics majors well suited for:

    Career Options
    Psycholinguist
    Sociolinguist
    Speech pathologist

    Potential Employers
    Companies Hiring Linguists
    Linguists in Business



    		  

    Government and Public Sector

    Skills in analysis and research make Linguistics majors well suited for:

    Career Options
    Cryptographic specialist
    FBI Agent
    Foreign Service Officer
    Legislative aide
    Policy analyst
    Speech writer/press liaison
    State reference librarian
    U.S. Agency for International Development officer
    US Census Bureau researcher

    Potential Employers
    Companies Hiring Linguists
    Linguists in Business 


    Education and Research

    Skills in communication, research and analysis make Linguistics majors well suited for:

    Career Options
    Audiologist
    Editor
    Grant/Proposal Writer
    Lexicographer
    Librarian
    Professor
    Teacher of English as a second language (TESL)
    University research scientist

    Potential Employers
    Companies Hiring Linguists
    Linguists in Business




     For information on these occupations

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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