Bilingual Career Opportunities

People with language skills in more than one language hold a key to our country’s economic well-being through their ability to connect with markets, governments, and people around the world. Employers are looking for individuals who possess good communication skills, flexible thinking, problem-solving and the ability to understand people from other countries and cultures. Increasingly, they are also looking for individuals who are able to communicate and interact in at least two languages.

Knowing another language can open doors for students and provide them with the competitive edge needed to succeed in our global economy. In addition, learning another language enriches students’ educational experiences, promotes personal growth and increases cultural understanding. It also opens up a world of job possibilities! Here are just some of those opportunities:

There is a growing demand in business for employees who speak more than one language in areas such as the import/export sector, marketing, software development and technical support, public relations, investment, management, and transportation.
The education field—in PEI, across Canada and abroad—requires more and more teachers and researchers with skills in other languages.
The service sector offers opportunities for multilingual individuals in travel and tourism, sales, customer service and clerical positions.
Communication and media opportunities include international advertising, radio and television, writing (including technical, commercial and sports writing), translation, publishing and film making.
Libraries, museums, foundations and governments require researchers with skills in other languages.
Many organizations require translators, interpreters and researchers.
More and more employers recognize that people develop many skills when they learn another language, including problem solving, self-discipline and the ability to understand and appreciate cultural differences.
Employers are looking for staff who are self-confident, adaptable and able to travel within and/or move to other countries.

Some jobs and potential careers for which second or more language skills are an advantage: