Two panelists, Kaitlyn and Ally Goldman discussed how studying languages has bolstered their careers. Kaitlyn speaks Italian and French, and also works in research. She informed us that reading in another language that isn’t one’s “mother tongue” allows people to be more unbiased, which helps her a lot in her research studies. She also informed us of the intricacies of lingo in Italian and that certain work sectors have different forms that cause a person to have to study the sector’s lingo diligently. For Kaitlyn, she is working in intelligence and diplomacy, and it has been very difficult for her to pick up the formalities present within that sector.
Ally works as a translator and studied Hispanic linguistics. She discussed how important it is to have cultural competency and empathy when dealing with people from different cultures. She works as a translator in schools and works hard to bridge the cultural gaps and help teachers understand the various cultural barriers that may be present.
Both speakers advised that people take advantage of opportunities available at Ohio State. Getting involved in clubs, interning, and volunteering helped a lot to get the most out of their college experience academically. They also gave a lot of great advice with establishing connections and networking at career fairs.
This event connected with IA because a lot of people in the scholars program have language majors or minors, so this panel would be extremely helpful as it shows the different career paths one can get with having a sturdy language background. The speakers also discussed the importance of entrenching oneself in different cultures and understanding cultural differences that occur. The panelists also discussed studying abroad, which is something I’ve been thinking of doing to have the chance to travel and immerse myself in a different culture for a few months.