Majors at the University of Connecticut

German

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 and how to think about it differently. To a large extent you are even learning how to be another person. This enrichment is not just valuable to you individually, but it provides the basis for knowledgeable and intelligent interaction with peoples, cultures and societies.

German is your key to Europe. German is spoken not only in Germany but also in Austria, Switzerland and throughout the European Union as well as in Scandinavia. More significantly, German is the lingua franca of Eastern Europe, thanks to Germany's political and economic ties with the countries of the former Soviet block. It is probably safe to say that no other single language can open as many doors to you in Europe.

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 German 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)

Having a working knowledge of a second language, such as German, makes a potential employee more marketable on the international job market. Any job that has international ramifications such as translating, banking, teaching, tourism, will require that an employee not only have knowledge of another language, but also of the culture and people of that language.

It is the knowledge of the interconnectedness between the language and culture that allows a candidate to pursue a career outside of academia. Whether working in one’s home country and applying knowledge of the German language and German-speaking countries/cultures or working abroad and applying knowledge of his native language and culture, having a degree and a background in German allows the employee to bring a certain level of sophistication to his position.

Sample Job Titles

Potential Employers

There are opportunities for employment in all sectors of the economy and government available to a graduate with a German degree. One can work for a commercial business or a non-governmental organization. Some examples include the following:

• Insurance – Allianz
• Telecommunications – Deutsche Telekom
• Diversified Electronics – Siemens
• Commercial Banks – Deutsche Bank
• Automotive – DaimlerChrysler
• Diversified Chemicals – Bayer
• Governmental Relations – Partnershaft der Palaments eV (PdP)
• Chambers of Commerce
• Labor Unions – The German Trade Union Federation
• Education – Goethe Institut
• Language Programs
• Exchange Programs
• Cultural Institutions – United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
• Non-Governmental Organizations – Atlantik-Brücke

Useful Skills

One should of course have a working knowledge of the German language upon completing an undergraduate degree. However, almost more important than knowing the language is having an understanding the culture and the history of Germany and other German-speaking countries, such as Austria and Switzerland. 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 German culture. This knowledge can be gained through living abroad either on an education or work exchange program.

Getting Experience

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

Employment Opportunities

With a German degree one may pursue a career in any number of fields. Germany is a center of economic activity both within the European Union and internationally. German companies are extremely prevalent and powerful forces in the business world and to be able to climb the corporate ladder a background in German is extremely useful. Furthermore, Germany serves as a center for activity for the European Community as well as other international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund. For someone who wants to work for such an organization or be a part of the European Union political infrastructure, starting out with a German degree is an ideal way to begin.

Germany has also been a place of active literary and social movements throughout history. For those interested in literature and history of Europe, studying German - the literature, history, language and culture - can provide ample career opportunities in the fields of education and academia.

Internet Links