BA in German, Scandinavian, Dutch
The German, Scandinavian, Dutch (GSD) major offers students the flexibility to combine coursework in any of the languages and literatures of the department or to designate a German emphasis or a Scandinavian and Finnish emphasis.
Students working toward the major take a common core of courses that focus on intellectual tools important in the 21st century. The major emphasizes the development of advanced linguistic and transcultural competence, together with openness to interdisciplinary and global thinking. All majors complete a capstone course.
To declare a GSD major, contact our Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Students in colleges other than CLA may complete a major in German, Scandinavian, Dutch without having to fulfill the additional requirements for a BA degree.
Career Paths
All liberal arts degrees help CLA students develop their Core Career Competencies, and German, Scandinavian, Dutch majors develop specific skills that are applicable to lots of different careers. These skills include strong verbal and written communication skills, critical thinking and creative problem-solving, and the ability to formulate clear and persuasive messages.
Students who take the SuperStrong Interest Inventory receive a three-letter interest code, which identifies their top three areas of interest, work activities, potential skills, and personal values. The interest code "AES" is often associated with this major, however, the SuperStrong assessment can help you understand how your interests connect to a variety of majors and career options. You can learn more about common employer types and occupations associated with this major. You can also see CLA specific examples of alumni careers below.
Internship & Job Search Websites
- Handshake
- International Staffing Consultants
- JobsAbroad.com
- OverseasJobs.com
- Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
- Idealist (Nonprofit positions in the US and internationally)
- USA Jobs
- Public Service Careers (Check out “Why Public Service?”)
Student Groups
Professional Organizations
- American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
- American Translators Association
- Association of International Educators
- Council on International Educational Exchange
- Foreign Policy Association
- International Association of Conference Translators
- International Federation of Translators
- International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language
- National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators
- National Council on Interpreting in Health Care
Graduate Programs in German, Scandinavian, Dutch
This is a small sample of programs alumni have gone onto, to find graduate programs in this field, search the Find Your Grad School or Peterson's Guide.
- MA, German - University of Minnesota
- MA, Scandinavian Studies: Literature and Politics
- MA, Slavic Languages & Literature - University of Michigan
- PhD, Slavic Languages & Literature - University of Michigan
- MA/PhD, Modern Russian History - Indiana University Bloomington
Alumni Career Examples
Below is a small sampling of what alumni with this major have pursued, organized by the most common career fields they go into (although keep in mind that there are alumni in all eight of the career fields). You can also utilize the LinkedIn's Alumni Tool and the Maroon and Gold Network to further explore alumni career pathways and connect directly with professionals.
Click to expand each accordion panel below for opportunities pursued by alumni in this major!
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- Consultant - Life Services, LLC
- Student Consultant - Integration Seminar
- Controlling Intern - Bruker Biospin
- Intern - Matthew Bribitzer-Stull
Entry-Level
- Desktop Publishing Specialist - US Bank
- Consultant - Deloitte
- Customer Operations Analyst - SPS Commerce
- Associate - Sparkasse Dachau (S&L Bank)
- Senior Consultant - KPMG Advisory
- Network Engineer - Perigee
- Director of Group Travel - AAA Auto Club South
- Engagement Manager - BHI
- Managing Consultant - Scandia-Germania-Davis Consulting
- Relocation Consultant - TGA Inc.
- Language Instructor - Karelian State Pedagogical University
- Minnesota Scheduler - U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger
- Director of Guest Services - The Western Management Development Center
- Sales Planning Manager - Green Foods KK
- Marketing Designer - The Manhattan Toy Company
Experienced
- Owner - Vraa Translation
- IT Business Analyst - Lindt & Sprungli*
- Integrated Account Analyst - SPS Commerce
- Freelance Brand Strategy & Innovation Consultant, Startup Advisor - Brandvib/J Franklin Marketing
- Associate (Invest in Bavaria) - Bavarian Ministry of Economics
- Loan Documentation - U.S. Bank
- Site Supervisor & Counselor - Tree Trust
- Project Manager - Bristol Group
- Director, Congress - Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals - CDS International
- Lead Technical Analyst - Carlson Companies
- Director of Sales and Operations - Destination Tampa Bay
- Sr. Manager, Product Management Operations - Bazaarvoice*
- Manager, Integrated Fulfillment Support - SPS Commerce
- Marketing Strategy & Innovation Consultant - Antenna
- Vice President, Product Development & Partner Management - Citra Health Solutions*
- Regional Sales Manager - Milestone AV Technologies
- Director U.S. Strategist - PPR
- Global Network Manager - St.Jude Medical
- Owner - Bay Area Destination Management Inc.
- Director of Product Management - WP Engine
- Advisor - Belightful
- Global Health Products & Solutions - Optum International
- Managing Director, Corporate Officer - CoStar Group
- Sr. Associate Director, Business Career Services - University of Illinois
- Sr. Director Network and Voice Architecture - Ameriprise Financial Services
- Associate Consultant - Aeritae Consulting Group
- Staff of Secretariat - IPBA
- Retirement Counselor - Transamerica
- Executive Assistant - Senator Pat Roberts
- Senior Business Analyst - Corporate Sales Ops
- Director of Front Office - Embassy Suites Santa Ana
- Medical Claims Representative - Progressive Insurance
- Leadership Coach - Saudi Telecom Company
- Marketing Operations & Demand Generation - Lyons Consulting Group
Graduate Programs
- Certificate, Marketing Research - University of Georgia - Terry College of Business
- Certificate, Innovation & Entrepreneurship - Stanford University
- MBA - University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management
- MBA Finance, Real Estate
- MA, Human Resource Education
- MBA - Jones Graduate School of Business
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- Biology Tutor - Rochester Community and Technical College
- Library Student Assistant - O. Meredith Wilson Library
- Language Tutor, University of Minnesota
- Research Intern - University of Minnesota
- Intern & Tour Guide - Ard Godfrey House
- Summer Intern - Kunstverein Siegen
- Distinguished Undergraduate Research Intern - University of Minnesota
- First Year Experience Team Supervisor - University of Minnesota
- Office Assistant/Peer Advisor - University of Minnesota
- Fellow - Fulbright Program in Ukraine
- Assessment Development Intern - Educational Testing Service (ETS)
Entry-Level
- Teacher - Teach for America
- ESL/EFL Teacher - POLY School
- Program Manager and Advisor - Lexia Study Abroad
- Private German Tutor, Care.com
- TandemPlus Assistant - CLA Language Center, University of Minnesota
- Senior Aquatic Coordinator - YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee
- Book Cataloger - Minnesota Historical Society
- English Teaching Assistant, KMK - Pädagogischer Austauschdienst
- Translator - Pangeanic Translation Services, Technologies and Website
- Youth Development Specialist/Community Specialist - YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities
- Substitute ESL Teacher - Hmong American Partnership
- Interim Program Coordinator - Vistas In Education
Experienced
- Project Manager - Minneapolis Public Schools
- International Relations and Recruitment Officer - Wageningen University
- Lecturer - Sonans Privatgymnas
- School Counselor & Life Skills Teacher - International Pioneers School*
- Assistant Professor - University of Agder*
- Professor - University of Phoenix*
- Strategic Projects Coordinator - Minneapolis Public Schools
- Job Coach - The Cove School
- Senior Executive Officer - University of Agder*
- Professor - Keller Graduate School of Management*
- Associate Director, Business Career Services - University of Illinois, College of Business*
- Teacher - St. Croix Lutheran High School*
- Visiting Assistant Professor - Reed College*
- Interim Program Coordinator - Vistas in Education
- Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures - Harvard University*
- Law Librarian and Legal Research Instructor - William Mitchell College of Law*
- Lead Teacher - Nasha Shkola
- Community Programs Director - YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities
Graduate Programs
- Ed. M, Education Policy & Management - Harvard University - Graduate School of Education
- MA, Curriculum and Instruction - University of St. Thomas
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- Marketing Intern - The Minnesota Daily
- Digital Marketing Intern - Tiger Oak Media
- Communications Intern - Swedish Council Of America
- Intern - Corning Incorporated
Entry-Level
- Sports Journalist - Dagbladet
- Freelance Blogger - Independent/Freelance
- Copywriter + Content Strategist - Olive & Company
- Social Media Coordinator - University of Minnesota
-
Experienced
- Journalist - NRK
- Journalist - Aftenposten
- Journalist - aStory
- Editor - Synergium Sweden AB
- Copywriter - TextMaster
- Director of Grant Writing - Altered Esthetics
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- International Trade Intern - U.S. Department of Commerce
- Multi-Industry Team Enforcement Intern - Minnesota Department of Commerce
- Rail Operations Intern - Metro Transit
Entry-Level
- Legislative Assistant - Minnesota Senate
- Researcher - Minnesota Senate
- Health Policy Analyst - American Academy of Neurology
- Administrative Assistant - Mack & Santana Law Offices, PC
- Management Analyst - Minnesota Department of Human Services
- Program Associate - Nexus Community Partners
- Board Member, Asian Pacific Endowment - St. Paul Foundation
Experienced
- Attorney - Law and Mediator*
- Associate Attorney - Føyen & Partners Group*
- Associate Attorney - Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, PA*
- Managing Attorney - SCANDIA-GERMANIA-DAVIS, PLLC*
- Press Attache - US Embassy Bucharest
- Senior Public Health Specialist/Youth Intervention Coordinator/Project Director - City of Minneapolis
- Immigration Services Officer - US Citizenship and Immigration Services
- Program Director, - Nexus Community Partners
- Foreign Service Officer - USAID
Graduate Programs
- MA, Public Administration
- JD - Mitchell Hamline School of Law
- MA, Public Administration and Public Policy - Syracuse University
- MSFS - Georgetown
- MA, Public Policy, Foreign Policy - University of Minnesota, Humphrey School
- MA, Urban and Regional Planning - University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs
- JD - Mitchell Hamline School of Law
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- Youth Crew Leader - Montana Conservation Corps
- Research Intern - Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation
- Political Leader of Tomorrow Intern - womenwinning
- Logistics Help, German American Institute
Entry-Level
- Program Manager - American-Scandinavian Foundation
- Minnesota Grassroots Manager - American Cancer Society
- STEP-UP Achieve Youth Services Coordinator - Achieve Mpls
Experienced
- STEP-UP Achieve Manager of Youth Services - AchieveMpls
- Leadership Design Fellow - KIPP Foundation
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- Volunteer - Soap Factory Gallery
- Volunteer Interpreter - Arrive Ministries
- Translation Intern and Editor - Studio Lenfilm
Entry-Level
- Docent - The Museum of Russian Art
- On-air Personality - Clear Channel
- Objects Cataloguer - The American Swedish Institute
- Guitar Player - Heiruspecs, Big Trouble
- Contract Interpreter - Minnesota Language Connection
- Associate Director of Web Communications - AACRAO
Experienced
- Registrar - Arca Artium, Hill Museum and Manuscript Library
Graduate Programs
- MA, Museum Studies - University of Leicester