7 Jobs for Graduates with a Linguistics Degree

Submitted by mathilde@qs.com on Fri, 05/31/2019 - 14:46

If you’re studying a linguistics degree but still haven’t made any serious career plans, don’t worry. A linguistics degree is an extremely versatile qualification to graduate with, so there are plenty of top career options available to you. Here are seven of our favorite jobs for graduates with a linguistics degree.

Computational linguist in the tech industry

The job: An interdisciplinary field combining computing and rule-based modeling of natural language, computational linguistics can solve problems in many areas, including artificial intelligence, machine translation, natural language interfaces, document processing, grammar and style checking, and computer-assisted language learning.

Salary: As a computational linguist, you could expect to work for blue chip companies, labs, universities or big software brands and earn an average salary of US$75,519 in the US and £54,521 (~US$68,150) in the UK.

Specifications: You’ll need to follow your undergraduate linguistics degree with a master’s degree in computational linguistics or a related field, and gain knowledge of programming. In some cases, a foreign language may also be necessary.

Linguistics professor

The job: Pursue an academic career and use your expert knowledge to teach in university departments such as linguistics, philosophy, psychology, speech and communication sciences or anthropology.

Salary: This will really depend on your years of experience and the country and establishment in which you decide to teach. A lecturer in the US with less than a year’s experience could expect to earn on average between US$38,000 and $52,772, while a professor with more than 10 years of experience could hope to earn between US$65,141 and $160,000 with bonuses included.

In the UK, a junior lecturer could hope to earn on average between £33,943 and £41,709 (~US$42,700-52,500), while a professor with more experience might make between £41,709 and £107,244 (~$52,500-135,000). Bear in mind you’ll need to fund about six to seven years of study before cashing in your first pay check – though you may be able to obtain a funded PhD place.

Specifications: For academic roles, you’ll need to complete a master’s degree, PhD, and in some cases also a professional teaching certificate.

Translator

The job: Working in translation, you’ll be expected to churn out 2,000 to 3,000 words every day. Your typical day will involve liaising with clients, consulting specialist dictionaries and using reference books to find precise translations for industry jargon. Whether freelance or in-house, you’ll typically be expected to specialize in one area (such as commerce, education, law, literature or science).

Salary: Starting salaries for translators are calculated based on word count and degree of specialism and vary based on your employer. The average translator in the US earns between US$20,545 - $73,413, while in the UK the figures drop to £16,807 and £38,855 (~US$21,150-$48,900).

Specifications: A degree and thorough knowledge of two languages in addition to your mother tongue are expected. A postgraduate qualification, such as an MA in translation, could significantly increase your chances of getting hired, especially within international bodies.

Teach a foreign language

The job: As a foreign language teacher, you’ll spend your days preparing lesson plans, marking student work, ordering material, instructing pupils either one-to-one or in the classroom, liaising with parents and attending administrative meetings. You’ll be expected to impart your pupils with a degree of proficiency in a new language, as well as knowledge of the culture, history and culture of the language in question.

Salary: This would again depend on your experience and location. UK salaries for a high school teacher range between £22,243 and £40,372 (~US$28,000-$50,800) depending on the city and years of experience, while US salaries fluctuate between US$33,000 and $76,000 based on skill, experience and city.

Specifications: You’ll need a bachelor’s degree with evidence of classes and extensive coursework in your chosen language as well as completion of a teacher-education program or a PGCE if in the UK.

Forensic linguist

The job: Forensic linguists perform language analysis on emergency calls, suicide letters, threat communication and social media during legal proceedings for law firms, the police and/or the government, in order to help solve crimes.

Other areas you may be involved in as a forensic linguist include trademark disputes, author identification and language analyses of asylum seekers. Forensic linguists working with the CIA or FBI in the US work on matters of national security. While the average forensic linguist works a regular nine to five, those working with governments may have to work slightly more irregular hours.

Salary: One of the main perks of the job is that your salary can stack up high, with the average forensic linguist in the US making somewhere between US$40,000 and $100,000. In the UK, you can expect to earn between £25,000 and 35,000 (~US$31,450-44,000), with experienced forensic linguists earning up to £60,000 (~US$75,500).

Specifications: You’ll need a bachelor’s, master’s and PhD in linguistics, as well as knowledge of legal procedures.

Technical writer

The job: Technical writers produce content in close collaboration with graphic designers, user experience designers, software developers and testers. The role chiefly involves collecting information, planning content and writing technical documentation to educate consumers about a product or service in the form of manuals, whitepapers, business correspondence, et cetera.

Working hours are usually a regular nine to five, though schedules may vary based on deadlines. Flexible work (freelance or home-based) is possible once you have gained more experience.

Salary: US salaries range between US$40,000 and $86,000, depending on the city, experience, skill and employer, while in the UK, a technical writer will earn between £20,000 and £46,000 (~US$25,150-$57,900) based on skill, city and experience.

Specifications: A bachelor’s degree in IT, communications, English or journalism is needed, as well as knowledge of publication software such as Word, Adobe, Photoshop, Paint, and CSS.

Lexicographer

The job: Lexicographers write, compile and edit dictionaries for native speakers, learners of English, professionals and bilingual speakers. They monitor and record new words and check the accuracy of their own texts, performing a wealth of editorial tasks.

Salary: UK salaries may range between £18,000 and £45,000 (~US$22,650-$56,600), while US salaries fluctuate somewhere between US$51,000 and $55,000.

Specifications: A degree in linguistics, English, modern languages, history/politics, or classics will be needed. A postgraduate qualification in foreign languages or linguistics may also be useful for aspiring bilingual lexicographers.

For those aspiring to work on English teaching titles, some previous work experience teaching English as a foreign language may be essential. Some essential general skills needed for the role include an excellent command of English, grammar, an eye for detail and time management.

All salaries listed here are estimates only, gathered from PayScale.com, Indeed.com, Prospects.co.uk, GlassDoor.com and government websites. 

This article was originally published in May 2016. It was last updated in May 2019 with the latest salary information.

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Meet the Engineering School Leading the Way in Energy Management Projects and Economic Decisions

Submitted by stephanie@qs.com on Thu, 05/30/2019 - 09:06

Sponsored by École des Ponts ParisTech

Energy resources are a vital element in societies and economies all over the world as they support domains such as public health, education, industrial production and agriculture.

Population and economic growth, as well as the growing interconnections between countries mean the world’s energy systems are becoming larger and more complex. Pressures on planetary resources and environmental issues, including climate change and threats to biodiversity, question the way we produce and consume energy globally.

Innovation is the key to ensuring energy resources are available, accessible, affordable and acceptable in the 21st century, which means highly qualified workers with the skills to design, evaluate and manage energy projects are in demand more than ever.

We spoke with the specialists at École des Ponts ParisTech to find out more.

Finding the solution

Institutions such as École des Ponts ParisTech are developing new training programs to ensure the next generation of managers and decision makers are up to the challenge.

“Today’s energy markets are going through major changes almost all over the world, which offers many opportunities for our students at École des Ponts ParisTech,” said Louis-François Durret, Director of the Post-Master’s program in Management of Energy Projects.

Given the importance of the energy sector worldwide and its highly technical nature, Durret believes a well-rounded approach to managing such complex and multi-faceted projects is imperative: “Energy projects are more complex to manage than projects in other businesses, so it’s key we as project managers have a holistic approach to such projects and keep checking the coherence of project components.”

When asked how the École des Ponts ParisTech Post-Master program prepares its students to develop and manage energy projects, Durret said: “The first important step of a project is the design of a sound and robust business model.

“In order to achieve this, in short, one must fully understand the energy market evolutions, societal aspects of the project since the public acceptance is a prerequisite for a smooth project evaluation, the pro and cons of the technologies that can be used, as well as their lifecycle characteristics.”

“The project will then go through all the steps of the financial evaluation, and once approved, be finally implemented. A project team will then be set up, the project governance decided upon, and the supply chain will be developed.”

‘Project management is in our DNA’

“École des Ponts ParisTech alumni have left remarkable footprints in France and worldwide. They keep reshaping our planet, building hydro-dams and nuclear plants, highways, high speed trains and other infrastructures, as well as designing electricity tarification systems,” said Durret.

Managing complex energy projects means dealing with a number of big challenges – one being the evolution of technologies, market demands and consumer needs within the project lifetime, so the skills and knowledge students learn at École des Ponts ParisTech is crucial to ensuring success.

“We train our students to see clearly through all the phases of the project life, from design to execution, and to also understand how the various aspects of the project are connected and impact each other, such as technology, supply chain, business model or financing plan. A dimension that is becoming more and more important today is to think and plan the end of life of energy projects.”

Project evaluation, viability and decision making tools

As we’ve already mentioned, all projects go through rigorous processes to ensure their viability and practicality – this is particularly important in a field where technological and business model innovation constantly reshuffle in the energy transition.

This is also where close connections with logistics and other critical business functions, such as cost-benefit analyses and economic decision tools come into play.

Carine Staropoli, Director of the Master of Science in Economic Decision And Cost Benefit Analysis (EDCBA) told us: “In addition to managing and financing, the MSc EDCBA also focuses on project evaluation which is complementary to the Advanced Master in Management for Energy Projects.”  

The MSc EDCBA offers a set of courses that are dedicated to the energy sector which are essential for anyone who’s interested in working on energy management systems and projects. It also covers aspects which can help to better understand and evaluate investment decisions in this field, including how projects are integrated into the broader economic and social context.

Staropoli said: “The MSc in EDCBA trains students to have an in-depth knowledge of the tools and methodologies necessary to evaluate investment projects and public policy applied within various sectors.”

Students study a range of applications of cost-benefit analysis methodologies as part of the program, including energy and sustainable development, digital transformation and smart cities.

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Scholarships to Study in Canada

Submitted by laura.tucker@qs.com on Wed, 05/29/2019 - 15:00

Canada might be one of the most coveted destinations for international students, but unfortunately studying here doesn’t come cheap. For those keen to study in Canada but in need of financial support, we’ve rounded up a selection of scholarships for international students, provided by the Canadian government, individual Canadian universities, and other organizations.

Canadian government scholarships

For more information on Canadian government scholarships and for more external funding opportunities, visit the Government of Canada’s scholarship homepage or contact the Canadian Ministry of Education in your home country.

Non-governmental scholarships to study in Canada

  • Anne Vallee Ecological Fund – Scholarships for international students undertaking animal research at doctoral level at an accredited Canadian university in Québec or British Columbia.
  • Canada Memorial Scholarship – Full scholarships are available for British postgraduate students to study at any accredited Canadian higher education provider, covering tuition, airfares, accommodation and more. The 2019 round is now closed, check back later this year for the 2020 round.
  • Surfshark Privacy and Security Scholarship - A $2,000 prize is available to a student currently enrolled in Canada or another study destination as a high school, undergraduate or graduate student. You will need to submit an essay to apply and the scholarship is open to all nationalities. 
  • Trudeau Scholarships and Fellowships – The Trudeau Foundation offers a number of scholarships, fellowships and mentorships to international students at doctoral level undertaking study in Canada at selected institutions.

University-specific scholarships to study in Canada

For more information regarding funding opportunities to study in Canada, contact your local Canadian embassy. For more general information about studying in Canada, visit our complete guide to studying abroad in Canada. You may also be interested in our list of the top universities in Canada.

This article was originally published in September 2014. It is updated regularly, most recently in May 2019.

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What to Expect When You Study an MSc in Luxury Management and Marketing

Submitted by stephanie@qs.com on Wed, 05/29/2019 - 14:38

Sponsored by emlyon business school

Dubbed the “industry of excellence”, it’s easy to see why luxury brand management is an attractive field for graduates who like the finer things. This is an incredibly resilient industry too, with market growth hitting close to $1.2 trillion last year despite recent economic downturns.

If you want to be one of the graduates living a life of luxury, studying a degree in luxury management and marketing can be the gateway to a highly lucrative career and other exciting opportunities. We spoke to emlyon business school to find out more about their innovative master’s program in Luxury Management and Marketing and what students can get from it.

You’ll master the basics

The luxury brand management industry oozes exclusivity, with a focus on top-level, traditional customer service which makes the industry unique and personal. Yet, the current relationship between businesses and the customer is almost unrecognizable compared to what it was only 10 years ago, as brands are now having to embrace integrated digitalized marketing strategies in a bid to keep up with the rapidly evolving luxury market landscape.

Despite the glitz and glam of the industry, you’re still going to have to get to grips with the ins and outs of how a business operates, as well as learning about operations management and how to project industry forecasts and trends.

Luxury management and marketing is a challenging business culture with extremely high standards, so having a good blend of theoretical and experential learning should help strengthen your overall understanding of the international industry. 

Speaking of which… you’ll go international and gain a multi-city learning experience

Fittingly for an industry that dominates all four corners of the globe, you’ll begin your luxury management and marketing journey in Paris before embarking on a full semester abroad in either London or New York (depending on whether you want to specialize in the Fashion and Lifestyle Industry or the Luxury Design Industry – more on that later!).

You’ll then spend your third and final semester in Shanghai, Asia’s most high-profile city for high-end luxury goods, and home to emlyon business school’s Asian campus.

This international dimension allows students to identify links between luxury markets on a global scale and assist them in navigating their way around international business markets.

Fashion and Lifestyle Industry or Luxury Design Industry?

If your passion is fashion, then the Fashion Management track is a passport to study at the London College of Fashion in London and even experience London Fashion Week.

Or, if you have a keen eye for design, the Luxury Industry and Entrepreneurship Design Management track means you’ll learn from the professionals at Parsons School of Design at The New School in New York City, covering topics such as ‘Sustainable Business Models’.

London and New York are two of the most creative and innovative cities in the world, so you’re sure to deepen your knowledge and fuel your enthusiasm for the industry with a semester in one of these inspiring cities.

You’ll graduate with the skills and knowledge to achieve your career ambitions with a global brand that oozes luxury

Whether you want to follow in the footsteps of previous emlyon business school graduates and aspire to be a Fragrances Product Manager at Christian Dior, or a Business and Product Development Specialist at Infiniti, with all the right competencies and business know-how under your belt, you’ll be well prepared for a career in the industry.

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Ilia State University

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8 Ways to Boost Your Career Prospects While at University

Submitted by stephanie@qs.com on Fri, 05/24/2019 - 11:12

Sponsored by City, University of London

It’s getting to the time of year when final-year students are coming to the end of their university journey and gearing themselves up for the next life milestone – securing their first graduate job. But before we get to the applying part, let’s rewind a bit.

If you want to land the job of your dreams, you’re going to have to do a fair bit of groundwork to get there – and having a degree under your belt is just the start of it.

Read on to see what you can do to boost your career prospects and help make you stand out from the competitive graduate crowd.

Use your university’s careers service to your advantage

Let’s begin with the obvious. It’s always good to plan ahead, and going to your university’s careers service is one way to do this. They’re a bustling hub full of opportunities and resources to better prepare you for the world of work.

Whether it’s simply getting help with putting your CV together, or getting advice about industry placement interviews, your university’s careers service is dedicated to offering you professional, high-quality support and guidance.

“[At the Careers service] the advisers spent quality time with me and pointed out what I have to improve and what I did well. This really helped me to perform on the day as the feedback was genuine and honest,” said Karthikeyan Mahalingam, a BSc Management student at City, University of London.

If you’re able to, apply for a placement year

Industry placements are the ideal opportunity for gaining relevant experience and are a great way to discover whether a particular career path is the one for you. Plus, if your employer really thinks you’ve smashed it, you might even have a full-time job waiting for you once you’ve graduated.

Although not every degree program offers an industry placement, there are other ways you can get some industry experience.

Mini placement schemes, or micro-placement schemes such as the ones offered at City mean you only need to dedicate yourself to between three and five weeks of work during the summer. Students carry out their placements with London-based employers and gain real-life experience by taking on exciting projects which also help nurture their crucial employability skills and grow their professional network.

City LLB Law student Sophia Demetriou-Jones said: “I enjoyed my micro-placement because it was so different from anything else, I'd done before. I was given responsibility right away and the five weeks I spent [on placement] definitely improved my ability to work under pressure, think on my feet and overcome obstacles more easily.”

Consider taking up a volunteering role

As tempting as it is to just chill with friends during your well-deserved summer break, or catch up on your favorite program on Netflix, volunteering is one sure-fire way of demonstrating not just your commitment to a cause, but your excellent time management skills too.

Whether it’s relevant or not to the career path you wish to pursue after graduating, having volunteering experience on your CV is a big tick when it comes to prospective employers.

Take part in a mentoring scheme

Mentoring schemes, such as the one available at City, are a great way to get to know the ins and outs of working life from somebody who has actually been there and done that. Through the scheme, students get paired up with working professionals who can help them prepare for the job market and give an insight into the industry.

Network, network, network

Don’t forget, your classmates are also your class colleagues. You work alongside one another on a weekly (if not daily) basis and when it comes to going your separate ways after graduation, you’ll do well to stay in touch.

Your professors and lecturers are also an excellent source for networking, so be sure to take advantage of their knowledge and contacts. They’re also great when it comes to references – who knows you better than them, anyway?

Attend a recruitment event or careers workshop

Career fairs provide an excellent opportunity to meet potential employers face-to-face. Remember, first impressions count, so dress smart and come prepared with questions you’d like to ask.

Is there a certain company you want to speak with? Or are you taking the ‘window shopping’ approach and simply going with whatever catches your eye? Having a clear objective can help make fairs less daunting and ensure you stay focused and don’t get distracted by the number of companies in attendance.

City’s Industry Insight Program offers students the chance to meet with external employers from an array of industries and sectors. This link with employers can be the ideal opportunity to build useful contacts, as well as get to know the industry you’re interested in on a deeper level.

Get involved with your university’s societies and clubs

Whatever your interests – whether you’re a football fanatic, have a passion for theater, or love to write – getting involved with a society or club on campus can benefit you in more ways than you may realize.

And if you’ve had a more active role within the club and sat on the committee, this is an added bonus that can most definitely be used to your advantage when it comes to applying for jobs.

Plus, it won’t even feel like an effort if you’re doing something you enjoy anyway.

And finally… make sure you have a standout CV

More often than not, the first thing a recruiter or employer is going to see when you’ve applied to a job is your CV. Now, they’re not expecting 10 years’ professional experience, 20 volunteering roles, and six languages to take center stage on your CV, but what they will be expecting is for you to be able to illustrate what steps you’ve taken to highlight your credentials and experiences and show that you’re an attractive hire. A well-structured, clearly ordered CV that pushes relevant experience to the forefront will help to do this.

Established in 1894, City, University of London is a global university committed to academic excellence with a focus on business and the professions.

City’s wide-ranging portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees have been developed by outstanding academics who possess an in-depth understanding of the job market and with the input of employers and leading figures in industry. Many courses are designed to meet particular sector standards, with a significant number accredited by professional bodies.

Based in the heart of London, studying at City means benefiting from its proximity and links to leading financial, legal, media and healthcare institutions, as well as being perfectly positioned to make the most out of internship or work placement opportunities.

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Your professional development is just as important as your degree. Find out how you can boost your career prospects while at university.

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