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Do you think that a degree in Foreign Languages is enough in today's increasingly demanding job market?

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Question added by Deleted user
Date Posted: 2013/05/09
Deleted user
by Deleted user

Job seekers with bilingual skills could look forward to a profusion of opportunities in the coming year, according to various reports and company hiring plans.
With the globalization of businesses and populations growing increasingly cosmopolitan, the need for transactional knowledge of languages has become very important in both private and government sectors.
http://www.ibtimes.com/foreign-language-skills-provide-sharp-edge-job-market-258085#

Dimitrios Mavridis
by Dimitrios Mavridis , Retired Army Officer - Maritime Security Operative , Hellenic (Greek) Army

I don't think that a dergree alone is enough to reserve a job in the today job market. If I were a employer, I wouldn't be impressed by somebody with LOTS of degrees in foreign languages that he has NOT practiced in their land! I would be sure that he would have forgotten the most of his/her knowledge. For example, I haven't spoken French for most than ten years, so despite my degree, I cannot consider myself as a french-speaking empoloyee!

Reema Tuqan
by Reema Tuqan , Social Media Community Manager , iMENA

I do believe that there is a high demand in the market and bilingual individuals might be enjoying the fortune of using more two or three languages; by reflecting their expertise onto translation fields.
However, based on the new viral and trending aspects of social media and digital marketing of today, I believe an accumulating degree in one of the prior mentioned is essential.

Deleted user
by Deleted user

I completely agree with Maryah Converse.
I speak5 languages (arabic included) and it doesn't help that much.
Of course after it depends where you live.
Arabic should be very fluent in arabic countries and much less in Europe...A minimum of French skills in France is fine to work (depending also of the field) and in Arabic countries it's barely considered.
So unfortunately a degree in foreign languages is not enough.
The world today is very complicated and recruiters are being more and more picky: BA in X or Y + Z years of experience.
Later on we'll see Ph.D in X + min.10 years experience.

Sharif Ahmed
by Sharif Ahmed , Regional Administration Officer , British American Tobacco BD. Ltd.Industries: - Tobacco

Academic certification is the main to get the job if its from foreign languages, addition to that you need to add a specific skills certification top of it.

Maryah Converse
by Maryah Converse , Volunteer ESL Teacher , Arab American Family Support Center

In my experience, being fluent in2 foreign languages (German & Arabic) was not as helpful as I'd hoped.
When I tried to leave teaching to get into non-profit work in the Middle East, my lack of "applicable experience" far outweighed my language skills.
Languages alone are not enough!

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