Skills you’ll develop
While studying various subjects in the Department of French, Hispanic, and Italian Studies, you’ll have the opportunity to learn topics related to French, Hispanic, Italian, Portuguese or Romance Studies. You’ll develop important skills while learning about the languages, literatures, and cultures of different regions around the world.
These skills may include:
- Critical thinking and analysis of concepts while demonstrating intercultural awareness
- Problem solving to examine issues relevant to various regions and cultures
- Language proficiency in French, Spanish, Italian, and/or Portuguese
- Creating and evaluating translations of original texts
- Teamwork with diverse groups of people
- Research, data collection, synthesis, and analysis of large amounts of information
- Persuasive public speaking and reasoning abilities that are evidence-based and acknowledge the influence different perspectives can have on facts
- Written and verbal communication skills used to identify and examine contemporary issues in specific geographical regions and cultures
- Comparative analysis and transnational perspective of the Romance-speaking world, both past and present
- Application of linguistic, communicative, and intercultural skills in real-world, community-based settings by engaging with local or global organizations or initiatives
Career possibilities
Knowing multiple languages offers a range of benefits for any career path, significantly enhancing communication, cultural awareness, and problem-solving abilities. In today’s globalized economy, many industries value employees who can engage with clients, colleagues, or partners across linguistic and cultural boundaries.
Career opportunities vary widely across a range of fields including government, foreign service, global health, business, translation, non-profit, law, journalism, tourism, education, and others.
There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests. Read through the job titles below for ideas.
Visit the Job Bank Canada website to research basic requirements and responsibilities of jobs in your field. Some career options may require further education or training.
- Activist (such as sustainable tourism, human rights, environment)
- Archivist
- Biographer
- Charitable organization director
- Communications specialist
- Community development worker
- Community programs director
- Conservator
- Copywriter
- Cultural anthropologist
- Curator
- Diplomat
- Documentarian or Filmmaker
- Ecology and environmental conservation worker
- Event planner
- French or Spanish immersion teacher
- Foreign service officer
- Genealogist
- Government official
- Healthcare worker or administrator
- Heritage interpreter
- Historian
- Human rights officer
- Immigration officer
- International development worker
- Interpreter
- Journalist
- Language instructor
- Lawyer
- Library director
- Linguist (e.g. computational, historical, applied, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics)
- Lobbyist
- Media or Information consultant
- Media relations officer
- Museum administrator
- Museum educator
- News analyst
- Photojournalist
- Policy advisor
- Public relations coordinator
- Records technician
- Regional development analyst
- Research assistant
- Social policy researcher
- Teacher, Professor or Instructor (such as language, immersion, literature, culture, history)
- Technology
- Tourism industry consultant
- Translator
- Writer
Make the most of your specialization
Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities, develop your skillset, and help you clarify your values and interests.
- Departmental events
Network with French, Hispanic, and Italian Studies (FHIS) students and faculty members at a variety of events. - Departmental research opportunities
Reach out directly to faculty members to ask about potential research positions. - Experiential and Community Engaged Learning opportunities
Explore ways to get involved in the community. - FHIS Undergrad Symposium
Share your coursework and learn from your peers. - FHIS Learning Centre
Receive free tutoring and conversation practice led by fellow students in order to become more proficient in French, Spanish, Italian, or Portuguese. There are also volunteer opportunities to become a tutor. - FHIS Newsletter
Enjoy in-depth, carefully curated stories about the achievements, research, and experiences of students, faculty, and staff at the Department of French, Hispanic and Italian Studies (FHIS), in addition to receiving updates on news, events, opportunities, and resources. - FHIS Social Media
Stay connected with the community and be alerted about upcoming events by following us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. - Funding and awards
Check out scholarship opportunities for FHIS students. - Italian Students Association
Connect with others who speak Italian, learn about Italian history and culture. - Central American Students Association
Celebrate and share the rich cultures, histories, and traditions of Central America - UBC French Club
Practice your language skills and connect with other French speakers. - Le Centre de la Francophonie de UBC
Participate in dozens of social and cultural activities, for all interests and levels of proficiency in French. - Outside-In: International Photojournal
Contribute to UBC’s only peer and faculty reviewed student publication for photojournalism. - Study Abroad in French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, or Romance Studies
Study abroad in France, Ecuador, Italy, Spain, Brazil, and more. - UBC Romance Languages Student Association
Share your passion for the Romance languages with other UBC students and participate in related events, activities, and opportunities.
Build your network
Employers often hire people they know, so help them get to know you. You can build your network through clubs, classes, informational interviews, and more. There are so many ways to make connections and find mentors.
The professional associations below are also great resources for meeting people, learning about specific industries, and finding job and volunteer opportunities. Most have reduced membership rates for students and new grads.
- Alliance Française de Canada
- Alliance Française de Vancouver
- Amnesty International
- Association for Cultural Studies
- Canadian Association for the Study of International Development
- Canadian Association for Translation Studies
- Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers
- CoDevelopment Canada
- Culture Works Canada
- Cultural Studies Association
- Dante Society BC
- Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences
- International Association of Conference Interpreters
- International Economic Development Council
- International Studies Association
- Italian Chamber of Commerce Canada West
- Italian Consulate Cultural Services
- Italian Cultural Centre
- Languages Canada
- Literary Translators Association of Canada
- Portuguese Cultural Centre
- Sociedad Española de British Columbia
- Society of Translators and Interpreters of BC
- Vancouver International Film Festival
Connect with alumni
Learn about possible career paths by browsing alumni stories or viewing the profiles of UBC French, Hispanic, and Italian Studies graduates on LinkedIn.
As you read, take note of interesting job titles, organizations, and experiences you may want to explore. If a particular story or profile aligns with your goals, consider reaching out for an informational interview.
More information
Throughout your Arts degree, you’ll develop skills and experiences that can translate into many career paths. Check out other things you can do with your Arts degree.