There are other linguistics careers you might consider pursuing after graduation. Some potential careers for linguistics majors include:
Many jobs with a linguistics degree involve teaching the English language to others. An ESL teacher helps students learn English. ESL teachers may work in the U.S., helping children and/or adults learn English after immigrating to the country. Alternatively, they may work overseas. The requirements to become an ESL teacher vary amongst different states and international locations. In general, you can expect to need a bachelor’s degree, such as a language degree, as well as additional training in ESL education. You may also need a license.2
If you’re truly passionate about working in a linguistics career, you might consider becoming a lexicographer. Lexicographers monitor changes in the English language (e.g., the appearance of new slang terms or changing definitions of existing words) and edit dictionary entries accordingly. A lexicographer will generally need a language-related degree, such as a degree in English or linguistics. It’s also helpful to gain entry-level work and volunteer experience before pursuing a lexicography position. For example, you might consider applying to an internship at a local newspaper or as a teacher’s aide.3
Some of the linguistics degree jobs you might pursue are in the marketing and advertising field. Marketing professionals work closely with language and may sometimes conduct research on how people respond to certain words and types of spoken language sounds.1
Like marketing, some linguistics degree jobs are not directly within a linguistics career field. A public relations (PR) specialist develops and curates the public image of a company, other organization or individual. They often write a variety of materials, such as press releases, website pages and informational resources for members of the media. It’s common for PR specialists to hold a bachelor’s degree in a field such as English or communications.4
There are some linguistic degree jobs in the publishing industry. In particular, language skills are important for both editors and proofreaders.1 Editors and proofreaders are responsible for improving and polishing someone else’s writing so that the language is clear, flows logically and is appealing to readers.
A linguistics degree may provide a pathway for becoming a secondary school teacher. However, licensure requirements vary from state to state, so it’s important to research the requirements you’ll need to meet. In general, secondary teachers can expect to need at least a bachelor’s degree, sometimes a master’s degree and a state-issued teaching license or certification.5
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) or speech therapists assess and treat individuals who have speech and language disorders. They also work with patients with swallowing disorders. Typically, an aspiring SLP needs to earn a master’s degree from a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA). State-issued licensure is a requirement across all 50 states. A language or linguistics degree may provide a pathway for obtaining the necessary master’s degree, although different graduate-level SLP programs have varying admissions requirements — make sure to conduct research as you plan your career pathway.6
Teaching assistants play a valuable role in the classroom and can be a career option for those with a linguistics degree. They support student success by working one-on-one with students to help them master the material. They also assist the teacher with tasks such as coursework planning. The requirements to become a teaching assistant vary considerably among different states and even different schools. Earning a language-related degree is a smart step, as teaching assistants can often benefit from possessing strong language skills. In addition, teaching assistants may need to obtain state licensure.7
