Career Exploration
Linguistics majors possess unique skills that are highly valued across various fields, offering diverse career options that cater to different interests and strengths. Whether you're drawn to the analytical aspects of computational linguistics, the cultural and societal dimensions of community-based work, or the theoretical exploration of language and cognition, there is a path that can align with your passions. Your ability to analyze, interpret, and apply language knowledge can lead to impactful roles in education, technology, research, and more. By exploring these career paths, you can find a fulfilling career that leverages your linguistic expertise and makes a meaningful contribution to your chosen field.
Pathways within the Linguistics major
The linguistics program offers a diverse range of elective courses, giving you the option of selecting courses that develop specific career competencies. While there are many possible ways to combine electives to build career competencies, the sections below present three possible career pathways—Community-Based Linguistics, Computational Linguistics, and Language and Cognition—to help you explore and align your academic interests with potential careers. These pathways are designed to provide focused study and practical skills in areas that intersect with various professional fields, from language preservation to technology to theoretical research. You are encouraged to consider these paths as a way to tailor your education towards specific career goals. While all linguistics majors are required to take 15 credits of elective courses (in addition to 19 credits of required courses), there is no requirement that those electives be from any particular pathway. You have the flexibility to choose courses across all pathways based on your personal interests and career aspirations, ensuring a well-rounded and customized educational experience.
Community-Based Linguistics Pathway
The Community-Based pathway emphasizes the relationship between language and society, focusing on how languages evolve, interact, and impact communities. Students in this track will be exposed to the diversity of ways people interact with their language(s) in courses such as Language and Society and World Englishes, and they will explore Languages of the World and Historical Linguistics to gain a broad understanding of language diversity and change over time. They will apply their knowledge in courses such as Field Methods I & II, which teach the techniques for documenting and analyzing languages, especially those that are endangered or less-studied. This pathway is ideal for students passionate about working directly with language communities and those interested in language preservation and revitalization. Graduates pursue careers in community- and people-oriented fields such as education, journalism, and communications, as well as language documentation and revitalization.
Language & Cognition Pathway
The Language & Cognition pathway explores the theoretical aspects of language and its use in various contexts, emphasizing the study of linguistic structures and functions. Students in this pathway will engage with courses such as The Human Mind and Human Languages, which examines the theoretical foundations of how language interacts with cognitive processes, and Pragmatics and Advanced Semantics, focusing on the understanding of ‘meaning’ in language, and on its context and usage. Conversation Analysis and Field Research in Spoken Language will further enhance their understanding of how conversational norms and structures influence communication. This pathway is ideal for students interested in the theoretical aspects of linguistics and those who enjoy analyzing language in depth. Graduates pursue careers in academia, linguistic research, and roles that require a deep understanding of language theory and its practical applications, such as those in language assessment, translation, and education.
Computational Linguistics Pathway
The Computational Linguistics pathway centers on the intersection of language and technology, emphasizing the development and application of computational tools for analyzing and processing linguistic data. Students will engage with courses like Language and Computers and Computational Linguistics, where they learn to use programming languages and to apply computational tools to linguistic questions. This pathway suits students who are interested in how language technologies can solve real-world problems and those who enjoy working with data and programming. Careers in this pathway include roles in tech companies, such as developing language processing tools, and positions in research and development that involve creating innovative applications for language technologies.
Linguistics Alongside a Second Language
All UMN students must complete 4 semesters of a second language. Fortunately, a major in linguistics pairs excellently with the study of any second language. In addition to electives within each of the three pathways, students can consider a wide range of electives that are specific to the particular language they study.
Careers in Linguistics
A linguistics degree opens the door to a wide array of fulfilling career paths, each leveraging your expertise in language and communication. From education to language preservation to technological innovation, there are numerous opportunities where your skills can make a significant impact.
Connect with Career Services
Career Services can help you connect the dots between college and career. You have access to appointments with career coaches, drop-in help, custom-built guides, technology tools, Handshake for jobs and internships, and more so that you find what you need, when you need it.