You might have grown up speaking Spanish or fallen in love with it in school. Either way, your language skills can unlock opportunities that span industries and borders, from community health care to international business.
In today’s global economy, combining cultural understanding and critical thinking with Spanish fluency gives you a competitive edge. A Spanish degree builds language skills while helping you connect across cultures and confidently navigate complex challenges.
“Spanish degrees emphasize critical thinking and writing skills,” said Cynthia Tompkins, professor of Spanish at Arizona State University’s School of International Letters and Cultures. “By acquiring and developing competence in Spanish, students increase their employment opportunities in most jobs and their wages by about 15% because the language is one of the most spoken globally, in the Americas, and even in the U.S.”
12 jobs for Spanish majors
With a Spanish degree, you’ll be prepared to work in education, government, journalism, business, social services and more.
Some of the top jobs to consider are:
- Bilingual educator: Teach Spanish to English speakers or vice versa. While certification may be required to teach in schools, your degree gives you a strong foundation.
- Community health worker: Connect underserved Spanish-speaking communities with health resources. Cultural knowledge enhances trust and care.
- Cultural affairs coordinator: Work for nonprofits or government agencies organizing events, exchanges and cultural outreach programs.
- Exchange program director: Coordinate international study or volunteer programs, helping students connect across cultures.
- Foreign correspondent: Report on international news for media outlets. Spanish fluency gives you access to sources and stories across the Spanish-speaking world.
- Foreign service officer: Represent the U.S. abroad in embassies and consulates. Spanish fluency is a major asset in Latin American posts.
- Immigration officer: Work with individuals navigating visas, citizenship or asylum. Bilingual skills improve service and communication.
- Intelligence analyst: Use your language and cultural skills to help agencies interpret global communications and assess international issues.
- International business consultant: Help companies expand into Spanish-speaking markets. Strong communication and cultural skills are essential.
- Interpreter: Facilitate spoken communication in real time. Interpreters are in demand in courts, hospitals, schools and conferences.
- Localization specialist: Adapt marketing, websites or software for Spanish-speaking users. This job combines translation with cultural insight.
- Translator: Translate written documents between Spanish and English. Specialize in medical, legal or literary fields with additional training.
Earn your online Spanish degree with Arizona State University
ASU Online’s Bachelor of Arts in Spanish helps you become proficient in one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. Alongside grammar and vocabulary, you’ll study Spanish, Latin American and Mexican American cultures through literature, media and film. This program emphasizes communication, critical thinking, cultural understanding, professionalism and leadership.
“In the global world we live in, where there are almost 560 million Spanish speakers, our degrees prepare our students to be competitive in any possible job opening, especially in the U.S., where Spanish is the second most spoken language,” said Alvaro Cerron-Palomino, an associate professor of Hispanic linguistics at the School of International Letters and Cultures.
Through virtual speaking practice, heritage learner tracks, and flexible assignments, you’ll gain skills for various industries, from health care and education to international business and government.
For Spanish majors who aren’t sure of the exact career path they want to take, Cerron-Palomino recommends courses SPA 400 and SPA 419. These courses give you a scientific understanding of how languages work and vary according to different factors. They also highlight the advantages of being bilingual or multilingual.
If you want graduate-level expertise, ASU Online’s Master of Arts in Spanish explores Spanish literature, culture and linguistics and offers flexible electives that allow you to tailor your learning experience. Ideal for educators, translators and global professionals, this program culminates in a capstone aligned with your career goals.
“The beauty of the online Spanish master’s is that students can create their own program,” said Tompkins. “They can take courses in both linguistics and literature and culture, or opt for one or the other. These options are connected to various career paths from teaching to the diplomatic corps, from tourism to advertising, from translation to community management, and the law.”
“Continuing with your interests opens even more doors in your personal and professional lives,” added Steven Flanagan, associate teaching professor and director of Spanish second language acquisition at the School of International Letters and Cultures. “The opportunities are limitless because this degree prepares you for a deeper understanding of your chosen track and equips you with the necessary skills to be successful in a wide range of careers.”
Flanagan added, “While an online degree, our connection to the Southwest and our role as a Hispanic-serving Institution permeates through this degree with its faculty, course content and design. ASU is uniquely positioned to help guide you on your path to future success in whatever career path you choose.”
No matter where you are in your academic journey, ASU’s online Spanish programs can help you build a career shaped by language and culture.
