Explore career options in languages and linguistics
Here you can find information on the types of careers and employment roles your studies in languages and linguistics may land you.
You can also discover where to look for job vacancies, as well as professional associations, mentoring and international opportunities.
Opportunities
People fluent in English and one or more other languages will be able to find employment in a range of settings, particularly in an increasingly global work environment. Your knowledge of the science, nature and function of language and how it is used in society will be relevant in a variety of organisations and industries.
Graduates will possess high-level language and intercultural skills relevant to education, business, publishing, social media, international relations and translating/ interpreting.
Career fields
- Language education
- Information technology
- Translation and interpreting
- Travel, tourism and hospitality
- Publishing and editing
- International business, sales and marketing
- Communication and media
- Language revitalisation
- Advertising
- Research
- Immigration
- Supply chain and logistics
- Intelligence
- Diplomacy
- Defence force
- Data analytics
Employment roles
- Translator
- Interpreter
- Lexicographer
- Migration agent
- TESOL tutor
- English language instructor
- International marketing officer
- Researcher / Research officer
- Language and learning advisor
- International development program officer
- Academic skills manager
- Copy editor
- Transcriber
- Grant writer/officer
- Speech writer
- Bilingual sales representative
- Bilingual property officer
- Bilingual executive assistant
- Study abroad coordinator
- First Languages researcher
- Community Language researcher
- Linguist-in-residence
- Branding consultant
- Data analyst*
- Secondary school teacher*
- Speech pathologist*
- Literacy instructor*
- Forensic linguist*
- Computational linguist*
*Denotes further study at postgraduate level likely to be required.
Occupation snapshot
Employed
1,700
Future demand
Very strong
Weekly earnings
$871
Part-time share
65%
This data is based on the occupation profile for translators, retrieved from the Government's Jobs and Skills Australia website and YourCareer website September 2024.
Your employability
In addition to knowledge and skills directly related to your program of study, you will also develop a range of other skills such as teamwork, analytical, communication through academic study, employment, voluntary work, sporting and recreational activities and life experience.
Recognising the value employers place on these skills is an important factor in your graduate job search. You can further develop your employability with these resources:
Vacancies
Information on relevant vacancies can be found in a wide range of sources:
- CareerHub
- Prosple (formerly Grad Australia)
- GradConnection
- The Linguist List
- First Languages Australia
- Adzuna
- Australian Defence Force recruiting
- Australian Job Search
- Australian Public Service recruitment
- Drake International
- Language Professionals Australia
- New South Wales Government jobs
- Queensland Government jobs
- Queensland Government Graduate Portal
- Research Career Jobs (Australia and New Zealand)
- Seek
Job application resources
Craft a stand-out resume and cover letter, and learn how to prepare for job interviews.
Approach potential employers
Many work opportunities are not advertised, so we recommend approaching potential employers with the aim of researching their needs and how your skills, experience, interests and qualifications could match theirs.
This is called informational interviewing and will benefit you by:
- clarifying your specific career direction
- enhancing your professional network
- increasing your chances of being offered a job.
Industry outlook
The Your Career website includes helpful information such as job descriptions, employment prospects, average weekly earnings and skills requirements. Every job title in the database has a skills section to help you identify and describe essential skills for your future career.
The My Future website also has job descriptions and a useful career insight section.
The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching website has up-to-date information on graduate salaries, especially the Graduate Outlook Survey (GOS) National Report, which contains undergraduate salary figures.
More detailed information is available at the Labour Market Insights portal.
Professional associations
Joining a professional association is a great way to interact with people in your field who can assist you to explore your career options and potentially find employment opportunities:
- Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators
- Applied Linguistics Association
- Chinese Studies Association of Australia
- Australia Indonesia Business Council
- Japanese Studies Association of Australia
- Junior Chamber International Australia
- Korean Studies Association of Australasia
- Modern Language Teachers Association of Queensland
- First Languages Australia
- Foundation for Endangered Languages
- The Australian Linguistic Society
Mentoring
The award-winning Industry Mentoring Program provides an excellent opportunity to further develop your employability and build professional networks.
The program is available to students with more than 80CP as well as recent graduates.
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is committed to advancing sustainable development through comprehensive initiatives that promote economic prosperity, social inclusion, environmental sustainability and good governance for all.
Further careers information
Careers counselling
Individual career counselling sessions are available to all current students and recent graduates.
You can book an initial appointment via CareerHub.
Career planning
Our website has an array of career planning resources you can explore at any stage of your student journey.
Career Readiness
Check out our Career Readiness site in Learning@Griffith for additional information and resources for your career development learning:
Similar career options
Please note: The content on this webpage is a guide only. Please refer to degree-specific information and accreditation requirements of your profession on the Degree and Course Finder website and with the relevant professional accreditation body for your degree.