There are over 400 million Spanish speakers worldwide and Spanish is a prevalent language in the United States. As a result, the demand for people who speak and understand the Spanish language is growing. Hispanic Studies majors explore the fundamental aspects of the language, develop communicative skills, and explore historical and cultural manifestations of the language. Many fields seek Spanish speakers including business, education, health care, social service and many more so there is an abundance of possible career paths.
Majors in Spanish and Hispanic Studies at Colorado Mesa University take classes that provide knowledge and skills intended to produce effective communication in Spanish, as well as an understanding of the relationship of the Spanish language and its cultures to the world in which we live. Spanish and Hispanic Studies majors gain valuable insights into Peninsular and Latin-American language and literature, their histories and their cultures. Students are also introduced to the linguistic properties of the Spanish language, with a focused study of Spanish phonetics and phonology. Students take classes which provide insights into Spanish in the professions, such as translation, interpreting, and medical. Spanish graduates work in a variety of professions, where they apply their cultural competencies and in many instances continue their studies in graduate schools.
CMU’s Hispanic Studies program also offers Spanish students language and professional development experiences outside of the classroom setting, including study abroad trips to Spanish-speaking countries like Costa Rica and Spain. The program also hosts the annual Four Corners Conference, during which students will have the opportunity to interact with professionals from a wide range of disciplines while discussing issues related to the Four Corners region.
• Accountant
• Advertising manager
• Advertising copywriter
• Air traffic assistant
• Archivist
• Art dealer
• Banking correspondent
• Bilingual officer/clerk
• Bilingual educator
• Civil service employee
• Commercial loan officer
• Consultant
• Court interpreter
• Cultural attaché
• Cultural officer
• Customs/immigration officer
• Drug enforcement officer
• Editor
• FBI agent
• Filmmaker
• Foreign diplomat
• Foreign correspondent
• Foreign exchange trader
• Foreign service officer
• Foreign service peacekeeper
• Foreign social worker
• Fund raiser
• Guide
• Human resources director
• Importer/exporter
• International account manager
• International banking officer
• International consultant
• International trade specialist
• Interpreter
• Journalist
• Lawyer
• Library technician
• Linguist
• Media specialist
• Missionary
• Museum coordinator
• National security agent
• Negotiator
• Oversees personnel manager
• Peace corps volunteer
• Police officer
• Professor
• Proofreader
• Public health administrator
• Radio/TV announcer
• Reporter
• Salesperson
• Scientific linguist
• Travel agent
• Translator
• Travel writer
Note: Some of the occupations listed above may require additional education, experience, or training beyond a Bachelor’s Degree. To research these occupations use the Career Research Resources links below.
• Communicate with a Spanish-speaking student in a classroom.
• Teach Spanish to a group of students.
• Assist with clients traveling to or from Spanish speaking regions for vacation.
• Translate for Spanish-speaking businesses.
• Armed Forces
• Immigration agencies
• Narcotic agencies
• Law enforcement
• Health services
• Missionary services
• Tax consultant firms
• Hospitals
• Schools/universities
• Publishing companies
• Libraries
• Museums
• Travel agencies
• Airlines/airports
• Banks
• Marketing firm
• Advertising agency
• Import/export firms
• Hotels
Skills Needed by Hispanic Studies majors:
• Read and write Spanish well
• Ability to speak Spanish clearly
• Ability to understand speakers of Spanish
• An understanding of cultural diversity
• Willingness to relocate
• Be able to speak to groups
• Patience
Other Hispanic Studies resources
Reach out to CMU Career Services for resources and guidance on reaching your career goals. Career Services takes an active role in providing career exploration, workshops, events and on-campus employer visits to encourage students to investigate and gain information while creating their career path.
You can also use these sites to research information about specific occupations such as nature of the work, training or qualifications, employment or job outlook, projections, earnings and wages.
Occupational Outlook Handbook: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
The Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Use the A-Z index to select the occupation you are researching.
- Interpreters and Translators Occupational Information: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/interpreters-and-translators.htm
O*NET-Online: http://www.onetonline.org
The U.S. Department of Labor
- In the occupational search box type in key words, job titles, or occupational codes to research various careers.
My Future.com: https://myfuture.com/
The Department of Defense
- This site compiles information from departments of Commerce, Education and Labor.
• American Association for Applied linguistics (AAAL)
• American Association of Language Specialists, The (TAALS)
• American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP)
• American Translators Association (ATA)
• The Associations of Language Companies
• Colorado Translators Association
• National Associations of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT)