The decision to select Spanish as a college major or minor can open unlimited career doors. There are approximately 500 million native Spanish speakers worldwide and that number continues to grow. With such a population, picking Spanish as a course of study can be a great decision that gives you a global focus. Whether working within the United States or abroad, several professional options exist if you have a Spanish degree.

Teaching

According to the United States Department of Education, there has long been a shortage of Spanish teachers. Courses such as grammar, composition and literature in Spanish degree programs at colleges can help prepare you for employment as a Spanish language teacher in a public or private school. While certification is required to be a teacher in most cases, if you hold a bachelor's degree in Spanish, you have the option of teaching while obtaining a professional license via an alternative certification program based at a local university.

Interpreting

In today's multicultural society, the ability for professionals and organizations to be able to communicate with clients and major stakeholders is becoming vital. Organizations such as the United Nations rely heavily on interpreter services to ensure that major issues affecting the globe are comfortably and precisely presented to the necessary decision-makers in their native languages. The federal court system employs Spanish interpreters to ensure that Spanish-speaking defendants are treated justly during trial. Having a Spanish degree along with polished fluency in the language is a great way to become competitive for these positions.

Foreign Service

If you hold a bachelor's degree in Spanish and have international interests, a career as a foreign service officer is an option. Working in one of five different career tracks within The United States Department of State -- consular, economic, management, political and public diplomacy -- a foreign service officer has the task of promoting international diplomacy worldwide. Foreign service officers can serve in consulates or embassies within Spanish-speaking countries like Argentina, Honduras and Mexico. Due to the variety of professional pathways for the foreign service officer ranging from facilitating international adoptions to real estate management, a bachelor's degree in Spanish can create avenues for professional advancement.

Business

The buying power of the Hispanic population is projected to climb to $1.5 trillion by 2017. Due to the rise in Latino consumerism, many business professionals view bilingualism as an attractive asset when prospecting potential employees. Being able to write and read Spanish in addition to speaking the language can increase this appeal in careers such as marketing or sales, which require multiple streams of communication with consumers. Graduates of Spanish bachelor's degree programs enter the workforce armed with the knowledge gained from course requirements like Spanish stylistics and composition. These bilingual professionals can establish themselves as employees who are able to generate print marketing geared toward the Spanish-speaking population.

Reporting

News station have a need for reporters and foreign correspondents who are able to travel abroad and report on international stories. With Spanish being the second most widely spoken native language in the world, reporters who are able to cover stories and speak with Spanish-speakers without the need for an interpreter are highly valuable. This job entails writing articles, conducting interviews, and relaying events to various audiences.

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Writer Bio

Based in Houston, C.P. Brown is a writer with experience in children's fiction, poetry, the arts and education. Her work has appeared in the "Houston Chronicle" and various poetry publications. Brown is the founder of a nonprofit organization that promotes fine arts and a former charter school administrator. She holds a Master of Education from Harvard University.