Errol WintCareer Advisor

The University of Michigan Ann-Arbor

Sociology English Chemistry Kinesiology Math Spanish Anthropology

Director for Risk Management/Trading

Head Women’s Basketball Coach

Director of Conference and Event Services

Technical Account Manager

VP for Global Operations

Marketing Assistant Pharmaceutical Sales

Representative

Communication Skills

◦ Reading and writing another language

◦ Explaining complex concepts

◦ Writing clearly and carefully

Analysis

◦ Reading and thinking critically AND

◦ Assessing evidence YOU SPEAK

◦ Interpreting Data ANOTHER

Interpersonal LANGUAGE!!!

◦ Adapting to other cultures

◦ Working as part of a team

◦ Listening Carefully

Research/Project Development

◦ Compiling and recording data

◦ Summarizing ideas

◦ Evaluating research results

What skills/qualities do you have to offer?◦ Not just language skills, you offer so much more!

What are your personal values?◦ Industries

◦ Standard of Living

◦ Geographic needs/preferences

Exploring-term and short-term

Recognize your preferred skills◦ What do you want to use on the

job and how often?

What skills have YOU gained in the classroom, extracurricular, jobs, internships?

Communication Skills

Research

Innovation and Ideas

TeamworkSolving

Complex Problems

Analyzing Data

Communication Skills

Critical Thinking Skills

Leadership Skills

Teamwork Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Creativity and Innovation

Confident oral presentation skills. ◦ Speaking and presenting ideas in a foreign

language provides the opportunity to develop your presentation skills and increases confidence in native language communication.

Effective writing skills. ◦ Writing powerful essays and reports in foreign

language that focus on diverse people/groups.

Conveying ideas clearly and concisely◦ Through consolidating different points of view and

re interpreting them to create your own.

Gain the ability to solve problems and think creatively about potential solutions. ◦ When you speak your language and get stuck on a

word, how do you figure out other ways to communicate?

Comparing and contrasting ideas and information◦ Having to compare between English and your

language, the process of translating, you have gained a skill in breaking down concepts critically.

1. Analytical Skills

2. Communication Skills - verbal and

written

3. Computer Skills

4. Creativity

5. Detail-Oriented

6. Entrepreneurial Skills/Risk-Taker

7. Flexibility/Adaptability

8. Motivation/initiative

9. Honesty/Integrity

10. Interpersonal Skills

11. Leadership/Management Skills

12. Motivation/Initiative

13. Organizational and Time

Management Skills

14. Real Life Experiences

15. Self-Confidence

16. Strong Work Ethic

17. Tactfulness

18. Teamwork Skills

19. Technical Skills

20. Well-mannered/Polite

The Top 20 Skills Employers Seek in

Candidates

(NACE, 2007)

Employers are interested in RLL majors for the skills sets you develop both in and outside of the classroom!

Knowing another language gives you a REAL advantage.

Employers value your skills, passion and interests, regardless of the specific major you choose.

You are employable and have a world of opportunity available to you!

Community Improvement

Spanish Use

Leadership and

Persuasion

Health Issues

In’tl Travel

Research

How I Want to Use My Language

Language as a Primary Skill in Career

◦ This means that you are using the language everyday; you could not do your job w/o your foreign language knowledge.

◦ Usually requires a high level of fluency

Language as an Auxiliary Skill in Career

◦ This means you are using others skills alongside your language skill, and your language use is intermittent.

My Interest and My Career

Using Holland’s General Occupational Themes

REALISTIC

INVESTIGATIVE

ARTISTIC

SOCIAL

ENTERPRISING

CONVENTIONAL

Language Teacher◦ K-12, College, Private Schools, Professional

Language Schools, Government

Translator◦ Translation Agencies, Publishers, Airlines, Law

Firms, Shipping Companies, Travel Agencies, Foundations

Interpreter◦ Government, Hospitals, Judicial Branch, Business

Education Administration◦ Corporate programs, university programs, non-for

profit organizations

Business Education Non-For-Profit

Human Resources

Entertainment

Government Publishing

HealthCare Law

Banking

Journalism Broadcasting

Arts and Entertainment

Education Administration

Advertising

Realistic

•Hands-on

Building/Fixing

•Mechanical and

likes to use

tools

•Enjoy nature

and the

outdoors

•Enjoy physical

activity

including sports

and athletics

Investigative

•Enjoy figuring

out how things

work and why

•Enjoy using

science and

math to

analyze and

solve problems

•Enjoy theory

and research

Artistic

•Enjoy art,

design,

creativity and

self expression

•Often

imaginative and

original

Social

•Enjoy helping

others

•Enjoy working

in groups

•Have idealistic

values or

assisting,

coaching or

empowering

others

Enterprising

•Enjoy leading

and persuading

others

•Often value

status and

wealth

•Tend to be

competitive and

are excited

about taking

risks

Conventional

•Enjoy

organizing

numbers and

information

•Enjoy working

with computers

and data

•Value accuracy,

dependability,

and stability

Realistic

•DEA / FBI Agent (R)

•Police Officer (R)

•Military/Department of

Defense (REC)

•Emergency Medical

Technician (RI)

•Automobile Mechanic (R)

•Chef (RE)

Investigative

•Health Researcher (IA)

•Social Scientist (IA)

•University Spanish

Professor (IAS)

•Translator (IA)

Artistic

•Advertising Account

Manager (AE)

•Broadcast Journalist (AE)

•Urban and Regional

Planner (AI)

•Attorney (A)

•Corporate Trainer (AES)

•ESL Teacher (ASI)

•Sociologist (AI)

•Translator (AI)

•Interpreter (AS)

•Librarian (A)

Social

•Foreign Language Teacher

(SA)

•Community Service

Director (SE)

•Social Worker (SA)

•Speech Pathologist (SA)

•College Instructor (S)

•Higher Ed. Administrator-

International Affairs- (SEC)

•Journalism/Media

Communication (SAI)

•International Relations

Representative (SAI)

Enterprising

•Marketing Manager (EA)

•Flight Attendant (EAS)

•Elected Public Official (ESA)

•Fundraising/Development

•Human Resources Manager

(ES)

•Travel Consultant ( ECA)

•Realtor (E)

•Chef (ER)

•Operations Manager (E)

•Fundraising/Development

(EA)

Conventional

•Paralegal (CA)

•Financial Advisors/Bank

Teller (CE)

•Loan Officer (CE)

•Administrative Assistant

(C)

•Archivist or Curator (CI)

•Human Resource Manager

(CS)

Based on 2007-2008 follow up data for graduating WS seniors:

◦ 95% were employed or in graduate programs 6 months after graduation

93% were employed in meaningful work experiences (85% indicated their position had some career potential)

26% continued their education

◦ Most common fields of employment were Education, Consulting, Non-Profit, Health Care and Law/Paralegal

◦ Most common locations for employment were Michigan, New York, California, Illinois, and International

◦ Average salary was $30,000-$40,000/year

◦ Of the successfully employed, 41% began their job search 6+ months before graduation and 56% had at least one internship

Of those continuing their education, 28% are pursuing Master’s programs, 58% are in professional programs (Medical/Law), 7% are in Ph.D. programs and 7% are completing a second Bachelor’s degree

Most common graduate programs for students continuing their education include Education, Law, Medicine, Social Work, Library Science, and Biological Science Public Health, Education, Social Work, and Nursing

Career ResearchResources

Occupational Outlook Handbook

O-Net Online

Vault Career Library

Hoover’s First Research

Hands On Research Informational

Interviews Career Center Library Internships Extracurricular

Activities Free Elective Courses

Family

Friends

Alumni

Career Center Staff

Professional Organizations

Online Social Networks

Past Supervisors/Advisors

Your resume is your professional calling card

Cover letters should indicate interest and showcase transferable skills

Create a resume and cover letters using Optimal Resume & Optimal Letters (https://umich.optimalresume.com/)

Resume & cover letter critiques available via Career Center Advising

Use Multiple Resources◦ Networking

Job Shadowing

Informational Interviews

◦ Career Center Connector (C3)

◦ Job/Internship Fairs

Internship Fair 1/20

Government and Non For Profit Career Expo: 2/10

◦ Job and Organization Websites

◦ Job Guides (Visit the Career Center Library)

◦ Field-specific professional associations

Resume & Cover Letter

Transcripts (when required)

References

Writing Samples (when required)

Application Forms

FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS!

Follow-up a 2-3 weeks after sending materials

Practice interviewing via Optimal Interview (https://umich.optimalresume.com/)

Interviews will typically happen by phone

Watch phone & e-mail etiquette

Write thank you notes

Spend a Semester Abroad!

◦ Employers love it and it enhances your language ability

Secure a summer or semester long internship

◦ Get experience to supplement your academics

Identify Your Interest, Explore Them Through Classes

Explore them through extracurricular activities.

Research occupations in languages

Browse job postings

Connect with the culture

Career Center website www.careercenter.umich.edu◦ Explore further your career path (see

resources hand-out)◦ Come and visit a Career Counselor at our

office! We offer call-ahead advising 11AM-5PM,

Monday-Friday (734)764-7460 Advising sessions are 20 minutes Counseling sessions are 30 minutes -1

hour◦ Career Assessment Tools The Strong Interest Inventory and Myers

Briggs Type Indicator Gain insight on possible career paths and

steps toward pursuing it.

Errol WintCareer Advisor, The University of Michigan Ann-ArborThe Career Centerewint@umich.eduwww.careercenter.umich.edu