When you’re starting to think about how to apply your training as a linguist to an industry or organization that you’re interested in, where do you begin? How do you define linguistics and communicate your strengths? What is an informational interview? You’ve scored the interview – how do you prepare? Here’s a quick overview of these topics — and some valuable “to-dos” to keep in mind:

Career Exploration

• If you are just beginning to explore what options might be available to you, think broadly, think creatively!!!
• Give Katharine Brooks a read!!
• Start shifting your deictic center.
• One of the best places to begin to explore career ideas is LinkedIn. If you have never thought about using LinkedIn as a research tool, check out my presentation on Slideshare!  Or simply begin by typing “Linguistics” into the search box, plus any other terms that might interest you (i.e. editing, travel, medicine).  How have others found ways to combine these topics?  See All Things Linguistic’s post on “Linguistics + X”

        Career Education

• Probably the very best way to educate yourself about careers is to start talking to folks who work in your industries of interest, here are some guidelines for informational interviewing and for networking (invaluable tips from the MLC’s own Sonia Checchia, MLC ’09).
• Get your hands on So What Are You Going To Do With That?

Professional Self-Presentation

Of course you’ll need a resume and a cover letter.
You will want to do role plays to hone your interviewing skills.
develop a handful of Pocket Examples.
Find an overview of my perspective on these genres as a linguist here.

Want More Resources?

• See Professional Applications of Linguistics, a presentation to the AAAL (American Association of Applied Linguists)
• What Can you do with a Degree in Linguistics, that I have given at the LSA (Linguistics Society of America) and at Linguistics departments across the country.

Begin!!

Picture yourself walking the walk – read about Linguistic Career Paths
Watch Ten Things (and do them!) this week – Take the next steps!!!
Research organizations that hire linguists!