Majors at the University of Connecticut

French

When you learn a language, you learn about the society and culture of which it is a part. When you learn the language of somebody else, you are also learning how to see the world differently and how to think about it differently. To a large extent you are even learning how to be another person. This enrichment is not only valuable to you individually, but it provides the basis for knowledgeable and intelligent interaction peoples, cultures and societies.

The study of French can be rewarding in a number of different ways. Many movements that have shaped our own history have French roots – from political to literary to artistic. The study of French gives a student the opportunity to learn not only the French language but also to gain insight into the culture and society of French speaking people. Furthermore, this is not confined to that which can be found in France. The French language and the French history has touched many other people and cultures as well. The study of French easily lends itself to further studies into the francophone cultures around the world from Canada to Africa. Many scholars believe that Africa and its countries are quickly developing and becoming more of a power in the international arena and as such someone with a background in French has the power to take part in this tremendous transgression.

Academic Department

• UConn's Department of Modern and Classical Languages

Nature of Work

There are lots of Americans who speak languages other than English. If you've ever thought of being a nurse, a doctor, a police officer, a judge, an architect, a businessperson, a singer, a plumber, or a Web master, you will multiply chances for success if you speak more than one language. A hotel manager or a customer-service representative who knows English and Spanish or English and French may look much better at promotion time than one who knows only English.

Professionals who know other languages are called on to travel and exchange information with people in other countries throughout their careers. Knowing more than one language enhances opportunities in government, business, medicine and health care, law enforcement, teaching technology, the military, communications, industry, social service, and marketing. (http://www.mla.org)

Being able to work successfully in France requires a certain number of legal steps as well as an understanding of the local work culture. The working environment in France, Paris in particular, has changed dramatically over the last decade. First of all, it's harder to find work since 1993 when the economy worsened and a new set of laws intensified restrictions on non-EU foreigners. On the other hand, traditions that once limited the mobility of the French workplace have broken down to a certain degree and a receptivity to new commercial and marketing strategies has increasingly grown.

The French tend to be less mobile when it comes to careers in general, and now in a tight economy, people are increasingly reluctant to change. In France, security is more important than salary. Young people in particular feel insecure and threatened by the lack of an economically promising future. Banks are not lending as they once had, and on the whole it's not the easiest moment to launch new entrepreneurial undertakings.

Sample Job Titles

Potential Employers

Because of the diversity of the French-speaking population from Parisians to Sub-Saharan Africans to the Quebecois, there are a wide variety of employers and potential employment opportunities. One can work for French companies operating in the United States or in another French speaking country or for an American company operating abroad. Furthermore, there are both governmental positions and non-governmental positions pertaining to relations between and among French-speaking nations and the rest of the world. Examples include:

• French government tourist office
• CFME-ACTIM – Agency for the international promotion of French technology and trade
• Banque Populaire Val de France
• Office de la Langue Fracaise – in Quebec, Canada
• Companies that operate in African nations: ie Avis, Philip Morris

Useful Skills

One should of course have a working knowledge of the French language upon completing an undergraduate degree. However, almost more important than knowing the language is having an understanding the culture and the history of France and other francophone countries, such as Quebec, Canada and Senegal. While some of this can be obtained in the classroom, it is imperative that someone truly interested in working in an international climate, have first hand knowledge of the French culture through having lived abroad either on an education or work exchange program.

Getting Experience

Gaining experience in a French-speaking country is absolutely necessary. In fact, it is a requirement for obtaining a French degree from the University of Connecticut. The University offers study abroad programs in France, as well as other travel opportunities throughout francophone countries (see the Department of Modern and Classical Languages homepage for more information). However, there are many other opportunities to live abroad as well. Many French companies offer internships and one can also find work-abroad programs (see the ciee.org website).

Employment Opportunities

The opportunities for employment with a French degree vary from education to business, from politics to social work. These opportunities also vary from country to country and can include any country that deals with French-speaking peoples. Within education, one can pursue a career as a secondary teacher or professor teaching at a university. Nearly all internationally based companies have branches in France or other francophone countries and as such, businesses are always looking for candidates that possess knowledge of the language and culture. Politically, there are opportunities in the State Departments and in dealing with relations between the countries.

Internet Links