Workshop

Bringing Linguistics to Work(shop) has been designed to help linguistics students become more aware of (and better able to show) the transferability and applicability of our skills and training in a range of professional contexts. Focusing on story as a central tool, and sharing stories of career linguists who have found innovative ways to put linguistics to work, this workshop is designed to engender a sense of ownership, agency, and creativity to thinking about career.

Check out some of the publicity surrounding a recent workshop at South Dakota State University.

Possible Themes / Activities include:

  • Why the world (of work) needs linguists
  • Navigating / orienteering using the journey (path) metaphor
  • A story approach to career (story listening, story finding, and story telling)
  • Pocket examples (handy stories that “show” you at work)
  • “Linguistics, what are you going to do with that?”
  • Identifying skills, interests, and dream jobs
  • Using LinkedIn as a career research tool “linguistics +X”
  • Putting the SOQs (support, outcomes, quantification) on your resume
  • Getting the “I want’s” out of your cover letter
  • Exploring the WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY, and HOW of work
  • Honoring the ask – the importance of questions in networking
  • Networking simulation: share an “I have,” and an “I need” with the room
  • Career path stories (dozens to chose among, from a range of professional contexts)
  • BRIGHTEN –sectors where linguists work (business, research, innovation, government, healthcare communications, technology, education, and non-profits)

The workshop is typically given as a 90 minute interactive presentation (read here for a more detailed description of A story approach to career blurb), but can be offered in a variety of formats, ranging in length from 45min to full-day; mixing lecture, activities, and workshopping; in-person or virtually (I really enjoy using the virtual medium, actually, I think it lends itself to close focus on language, which given that we are linguists, works out quite nicely!)

The cost for an in-person workshop is $1000 (exclusive of travel) and $300 for a virtual presentation. Understanding that not every budget can accommodate this, I am open to exploring options, including sponsorship and collaborations (i.e. identifying partnering schools, or coordinating around other travel).  Let’s discuss!