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.
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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.
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.
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Foreign Service and Diplomacy
The multilingual skills you've acquired during military service can open doors to various civilian careers. These can include roles in translation, intelligence analysis, teaching, international diplomacy, media, and many more. The increasing driven by globalization and our world’s growing interconnectedness.
As international communication becomes increasingly important, your unique experiences can give you a competitive edge in fields requiring language proficiency and cultural understanding.
Whether you pursue opportunities in government, education, or the private sector, your language skills are a valuable asset that can lead to a fulfilling and impactful civilian career. The job outlook in these areas is promising, with ample growth opportunities.
- Foreign Service Officer (FSO)/Diplomacy: Veterans with strong foreign language skills may find opportunities as Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) with the U.S. Department of State or as cultural attachés.
- The Role: Protect U.S. interests abroad through accurate, swift, and culturally aware communication and diplomacy with foreign nations.
- High Demand Industries: Government Agencies
- Job Outlook: Stable. BLS does not explicitly track these professions, but related jobs, such as those in international relations, are projected to grow approximately 6% from 2021 to 2023, which is considered an average rate.
- Why? Similar to the previously mentioned professions, globalization is expanding, and the demand for national security—both domestic and international—is increasing. One reason for the limited growth in this area could be that specific roles, such as embassy staffing, tend to be static.
- The Role: Teaching in K-12 schools or postsecondary institutions could be an excellent choice if you are a veteran with strong language skills. The demand for English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers is on the rise, including teaching foreign languages to non-native speakers domestically and abroad. Linguists play essential roles in various academic fields, including anthropological studies exploring culture and language's impact on society.
- High Demand Industries: K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and language institutes
- Job Outlook: Positive. The projected growth for K-12 foreign language teachers and ESL instructors aligns with the overall teaching growth of approximately 7% from 2021 onward, while postsecondary predictions exceed 12%. Jobs in anthropological vocations are expected to increase by about 5%.
- Why? Teacher attrition, increased immigration, population growth, and global demand for humanitarian efforts.
- The Role: If you have industry-specific experience in rapidly expanding fields like engineering, technology, and medicine, you may be able to leverage your linguistic skills for positions translating written materials into foreign languages. These materials may include manuals, instruction guides, blogs, websites, articles, marketing materials, and more.
- High Demand Industries: Technology, marketing and advertising, medical, media and entertainment.
- Job Outlook: Good. These positions are estimated to experience growth of 3%(editing) to 12% overall, but the growth rate is likely higher for bilingual writers.
- Why? Globalization has grown the demand for varied high-quality media deliverables and multilingual quality assurance.
- The Role: If you have a knack for business, you could leverage your language skills to help companies communicate and build relationships abroad. These roles are valuable for companies with offices overseas and for those stateside looking to better navigate business in complex cultures and language contexts.
- High Demand Industries: Companies with offices overseas and international business interests.
- Job Outlook: Solid. While BLS doesn't specifically track these positions, growth is expected to range from 5% to 9% for similar roles between 2021 and 2030, which is slightly above average.
- Why? Globalization and the growth of interconnected economies will create a need for personnel to manage business objectives among people from diverse cultures effectively.
- The Role: If you have a passion for media, your multilingual skills might make your resume stand out for jobs in broadcasting. Public Affairs Officer, anyone? And if you are interested in voice-over or acting, you’re in luck. Multilingual skills can be a game changer for careers in commercials, documentaries, film dubbing, and even video games.
- High-demand Industries: broadcast outlets, entertainment, streaming services, global marketing and advertising, public relations, and branding.
- Job Outlook: Good. Job growth for correspondents and similar roles is projected at about 6% between 2021 and 2030. The acting industry, including voice acting and animation, is projected to grow at 16% during the same period.
- Why? Digital media has had some adverse effects on global reporting, a trend that is likely to continue. In contrast, streaming outlets, blogs, and online learning will likely increase and support more opportunities.
- The Roles: Travel guides, global business human relations, diversity officers, and technical writers are all expected to need more employees with linguist expertise.
The multilingual skills you've acquired during military service can open doors to various civilian careers. These can include roles in translation, intelligence analysis, teaching, international diplomacy, media, and many more. The increasing driven by globalization and our world’s growing interconnectedness.
As international communication becomes increasingly important, your unique experiences can give you a competitive edge in fields requiring language proficiency and cultural understanding.
Whether you pursue opportunities in government, education, or the private sector, your language skills are a valuable asset that can lead to a fulfilling and impactful civilian career. The job outlook in these areas is promising, with ample growth opportunities.