WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN...

COMPARATIVE LITERATUREwww.sc.edu/career

com⋅par⋅a⋅tive lit⋅er⋅a⋅ture

The study of the literatures of two or more groups differing in cultural background and, usually, in language, concentrating on their relationships to and influences upon each other.*

*"comparative literature." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 28 Sep. 2009. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/comparative literature>.

Comparative Literature Majors Study

• Literature from a multitude of different perspectives

• History of literary criticism and theory• Linguistic competence, theoretical

fluency, and broad literary culture

...And more

Comparative Literature At The University Of South Carolina

Ph.D

MA

BA

Comparative Literature At The University Of South Carolina

Undergraduate Options

Degree: Bachelor of ArtsMajor: Comparative LiteratureMinors: Comparative Literature

Comparative Literature At The University Of South Carolina

Graduate Degree: Master of Arts (MA)PhD Program and Joint Degree Program

The Graduate Program in Comparative Literature is designed to enable students to develop competence in the study of two or more literatures.

Employment Settings

• Business, Industry & Commerce• Education• Government & International Law

Enforcement• Interpreting & Translation• Media• Service• Travel & Tourism

Business, Industry & Commerce

• Careers in the business sector can use knowledge of languages as a secondary skill.

• Skills developed from language study like writing and speaking clearly, data analysis, problem solving, organizing information, and collaboration are useful in business occupations.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Business,

Industry & Commerce

• Auditor• Banking Correspondent• Loan Officer• Contract Interpreter• Financial Planner• Finance Director• Foreign Exchange

Trader• Importer/Exporter

• International Account Manager

• International Banking Officer

• International Resort Manager

• Investment Analyst • Senior Credit Analyst• Trade Economist

Education

• Careers in teaching can use knowledge of languages as a primary or secondary skill.

• The ability to communicate in a foreign language is important to educators teaching another language to English speakers, teaching English to foreign speakers, or working in areas where English is not a dominant language. Knowing how to explain complex concepts, clarify ideas, and relate to other cultures in also important.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Education

• Bilingual Educator• Child Services

Counselor• College and University

Professor (advance degree needed)

• Curriculum Developer• Elementary Teacher

• English as a Second Language Teacher

• Librarian • Overseas Instructor of

English• Peace Corp Cultural

Instructor• Secondary School

Language Teacher

Government & Law Enforcement

• Careers in the government and law sectors can use knowledge of languages as a secondary skill.

• Language study skills like communicating clearly, problem solving, working with diverse groups, and explaining concepts, and communicating in foreign languages are useful in government and law enforcement careers.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Government

& Law Enforcement

• Civil Service Employee• Court Interpreter• Cultural Attaché• Customs Inspector• FBI Agent• Foreign Service Officer• Foreign Diplomat

• Immigration Agent• Intelligence Researcher• International Protocol

Specialist• National Security Agent• Paralegal• Police Officer

Interpreting & Translation

• Careers in interpreting and translation use knowledge of languages as a primary skill.

• The ability to speak, read, and write a foreign language is needed for careers in this area. It is also important that one can work with people from diverse cultures, read for content and structure, and listen carefully.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Interpreting &

Translation

• Advertising Agent• Air Traffic Controller• Conference Interpreter• Customs Officer• Foreign Exchange

Trader• Foreign Linguist• Immigration Officer• Import-Exporter

• International Banker • International Protocol

Specialist• Interpreting Guide• Language Specialist• Literary Translator• Negotiator • Judicial Translator• Précis Reporter

Media

• Careers in the media sector can use knowledge of languages as a secondary skill.

• Skills developed from language study like writing clearly, organizing information, speaking another language, clarifying ideas, and evaluating information are all useful in media related careers.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Media

• Art Dealer• Copywriter• Editor• Foreign Correspondent• Filmmaker• Journalist• Media Specialist

• Magazine Columnist• Musician• Performing Artist• Production Supervisor• Proofreader• Publisher• Radio/TV Announcer• Travel Writer

Service

• Careers in the service industry can use knowledge of languages as a secondary skill.

• Skills developed from language study like speaking another language, speaking to groups, collaborating as part of a team, working with people from diverse backgrounds, organizing information, and clarifying ideas are useful in service careers.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Service

• Bilingual Sales Clerk or Teller

• Bookkeeper• Civil Service Employee• Communications

Director• Interpretive Guide• Overseas Personnel

Manager

• Flight Attendant• Foreign Plant Manager• Pharmaceutical Sales

Representative • Production Supervisor• Social Worker• Transportation Manager• Quality Control

Specialist

Travel & Tourism

• Careers in the travel and tourism industries can use knowledge of languages as a secondary skill.

• Skills developed from language study like communicating clearly, speaking another language, organizing information, analyzing data, determining the needs of others, and working with people from diverse cultures are useful in travel and tourism careers.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Travel &

Tourism

• Advertising Manager• Cruise Director• Cultural Attaché • Flight Attendant• Foreign Travel

Consultant• International

Conference Planner• International Hotel

Administrator

• Interpretive Guide • Missionary• Peace Corp Volunteer• Protocol Specialist• Resort Manager• Travel Agent• Travel Writer• Tour Organizer

Comparative Literature Majors Develop Skills In

• Cross-cultural communication• Understanding of cultural differences and ability to interact

effectively with peoples of different backgrounds• Knowledge of culturally specific behavior, customs, and

values• Language competence for speaking, writing, reading, and

listening• Understanding of target culture, history, literature, music,

and folklore• Appreciation of diversity, and sensitivity to cultural issues• Awareness of differences in cultural perspectives• Global experience and ability to adjust to new

environments

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You Want

• Be familiar with current events

• Travel to countries in which your target language is spoken

• Get work experience in a place where your language is the native tongue

• Acquire a passport

• Obtain teaching certification

• Practice becoming more fluent by reading books, using tapes and videos, training sessions and film

• Develop business skills to complement your knowledge of language

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You Want

• Develop research skills and be able to analyze problems

• Develop good communication skills

• Work at a US location of an international company

• Network with professionals working in companies and sectors in which you’re interested

• Become comfortable working with diverse groups of people

Books And Web Resources

BooksInside A U.S. Embassy: How the Foreign Service Works For America published by American Foreign Service Assoc.

Careers For Foreign Language Aficionados by J. Laurence Day

Web Resources

The Modern Language Association http://www.mla.org/

Bilingual Jobs.com http://www.bilingual-jobs.com/default_new.htm

Resources For More Information

Department of Language, Literatures and Cultureshttp://www.cas.sc.edu/dllc/

Career Libraryhttp://www.sc.edu/career/Library/library.html

Foreign Language Related Websiteshttp://www.sc.edu/career/la/llc.html

College of Arts and Sciences Career Development Programwww.sc.edu/career/cascdp/index.html

Career Center Contact Information

University of South Carolina Career Center6th Floor, H. William Close Building (BA Building)Columbia, SC 29208Phone: (803) 777-7280On-call counseling without an appointment: M - F, 1:00 am - 4:00 pm (Summer and holiday hours may differ, please check the website at www.sc/edu/career)