Careers

Careers
Careers

Studying languages will equip you with a wide range of skills and abilities that can help you fulfill your future goals:

  • The ability to read, write, speak and understand the learned language
  • An understanding of the people and culture or cultures who speak the language and a greater understanding of one's own culture
  • An understanding of current cross-cultural and multi-cultural issues
  • Appreciation of the literature of the learned language
  • Knowledge of the history of the learned language
  • Confidence in one's ability to communicate cross-culturally
What can you do with a BA in languages?
  • Post-graduate study
  • Language instruction (K-12)
  • Post-secondary specialization
  • Translation/Interpretation
  • Editing
  • Work in tourism (for example, as a Tourist Information Officer, Guide, Hotel manager, etc.)
  • Public relations work

Study and work opportunities:

For study abroad options, contact the Office of International Affairs study abroad page, or Interim Director Leslie Tuovinen at latuovinen@uaa.alaska.edu. 

JET Program:  The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program is a rewarding post-college adventure. Previous study of the Japanese language is not required. Any Americans who love children and are interested in teaching English at schools (K-12) in Japan are qualified to apply. The initial contract is for a year, and may be extended up to five years. Compensation averages $3,000 per month plus benefits. Contact Dr. Hiroko Harada for more information.

 

Interested in teaching with the Department of Languages?

The Department of Languages maintains a hiring pool for applicants to teach as Adjunct Instructors in all seven languages (American Sign Language, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian and Spanish) which it offers; multilingual applicants only need to apply once.  Please be specific about the language or languages you wish to teach in your application.  Applications which do not clearly relate to the Department of Languages tutoring position will be rejected. 

Adjunct are part-time instructors who are hired on a semester-by-semester basis from among a pool of qualified applicants.  They typically teach one or two classes in an academic year.  Openings for any given semester will depend upon the number of adjuncts available and on their individual schedules.  Often a semester passes with no new openings; acceptance into the pool is not a guarantee that you will be hired. 

How to apply:

All applicants to UAA must apply using the web application procedures found at www.uakjobs.com.  A more detailed job description, including minimum qualifications, is available at this site. 

Prospective adjunct instructors must apply under the "Temporary Faculty Credit" classification.  If you have questions about this process, please contact the administrative assistant, Christina Talbott-Clark, at 907-786-4037 or cmtalbottclark@uaa.alaska.edu.