Career Preparation

The job market for Germanic Studies

When you choose to major or minor in Germanic Studies, you open the door to a more international future, one that is likely to include travel and study—or even work—abroad. Research indicates that students with a degree in German significantly enhance their career prospects. Their undergraduate work gives them knowledge and skills that are highly desired by today’s employers.

If you are interested in a global career, the study of German increases your job opportunities both in the United States and abroad. Germany is a recognized global leader, the world’s fourth largest economy, and its third largest exporter, making German a common language of business in many places of the world.

Germanic Studies majors take their education in many directions, whether moving directly into a career or going on to graduate or professional studies. They find work in a wide variety of job sectors, including education, research, policy think tanks, banking, and business. They may be employed in federal or state government, military or civil service, non-governmental organizations, or with nonprofit organizations.

Our graduates become researchers, information analysts, linguists, policy advisors, educators, translators, tourism experts, business leaders, security personnel, journalists, or aid workers, among many other options.

What is a foreign language worth?

German is one of the most lucrative majors for students in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Based on even conservative estimates, speaking another language translates into a big earnings boost—not only because of the gain in language proficiency, but also because of the discipline and mental acuity required to study a foreign language. Research indicates that German majors go on to earn top incomes after graduation.

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