Start a New Career as a Linguist with the GI BIll

It’s very possible that you received some training in language skills during your military service – some estimates say that 25% of service members do. Maybe you were in military or signal intelligence, a translator or interpreter, special or psychological operations, diplomatic or coalition relations, or even civil affairs.

Regardless of your role, you have gained valuable experience that can serve you well if you choose to use it to pursue the growing number of language-based civilian roles.

Background

The history of linguistics in the military dates back to ancient times when early civilizations employed interpreters for diplomatic, strategic, and negotiation purposes, much like they do today.

As empires emerged, so did the complexity of interactions with Indigenous populations and the need to better understand their cultures and manage relationships.

During World War I, advancements in linguistics molded more sophisticated techniques for analyzing messages, resulting in code-breaking as a method for intercepting communications.

World War II further shaped the field by utilizing Navajo speakers, known as “Navajo Code Talkers,” to create an unbreakable code pivotal in the Pacific theater.

Since the Cold War, the study of linguistics has grown increasingly sophisticated, becoming a crucial component of translation, human intelligence, cybersecurity, and cultural advising.

Linguistics – Pathways to Careers

Whether you just had some preliminary training or were a whiz at the Defense Language Institute (DLI), your language training can lead to careers in some of today’s fastest-growing professions. So, let’s take a look at a few of them and help you “translate” your experience into a civilian career.

Unless stated otherwise, job predictions are based on data from the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics (BLS) from 2021 to 2030. Positions that are not explicitly cited are based on similar occupations.

>> For scholarships for military, veterans, spouses and dependents, please use the CollegeRecon Scholarship Finder.

Translators and Interpreters

• The Role: If you became fluent in multiple languages through military training, you bring much to the table as a translator or interpreter. The jobs are similar, with the primary distinction being that a translator converts written content from one language to another, while an interpreter focuses on translating spoken language. Both offer opportunities either in the States or abroad.
• High-demand industries: International-based or focused nonprofits, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), legal, healthcare, government, business, technology, education, and media.
• Job Outlook: Very strong. Careers in translation and interpretation are expected to grow at a rate of 20% between 2021 and 2030.
• Why? The need to operate with a stronger global emphasis as the world gets smaller is intrinsic to our economy's stability and national security.

There is a high need for medical and legal interpretation, so earning credentials in these fields may provide more opportunities and higher salaries.

Intelligence, National, and Cryptologic Security Analysts

• The Role: If you honed linguistics skills during your time in the military, a wide variety of jobs may be able to use this expertise to assess foreign communications, threats, and digital communications.
• High Demand Industries: Government agencies or organizations, including the CIA, NSA, and FBI.
• Job Outlook: Very strong. While BLS does not explicitly track these positions, similar jobs in information security analysis and other intelligence specialties are expected to grow 23% to 33% between 2021 and 2030.
• Why? Growing cyber threats coupled with terrorism, geopolitical tensions, regional conflicts, rapidly advancing technology, and a growing need for swift and accurate intelligence analysis.

Many of these roles require a top-secret security clearance.

>> For scholarships for military, veterans, spouses and dependents, please use the CollegeRecon Scholarship Finder.

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