Those with a background in linguistics, or the study of language, have a wide range of options. It should be noted, however, that many linguistics jobs necessitate a master’s degree. Those with a linguistics bachelor’s degree may be qualified for jobs such as teaching English in non-English speaking countries, working as a dialect coach, or working as a translator. Advanced degrees in linguistics can be used to teach the subject at the university level, work as a researcher, or work as a legal language consultant. Those with a linguistics background who also have experience in another field, such as speech pathology or language software design, may be qualified for a variety of jobs.
Those with only an undergraduate degree in linguistics may find it difficult to find work. These people may be eligible to teach English as a second language in other countries. They might also be able to work as a dialect coach for actors, though this job might require an undergraduate theater minor or other dramatic experience. An undergraduate degree in linguistics may qualify a person to work as a translator if she has advanced knowledge of a second language.
Individuals with a master’s or PhD in linguistics are generally more qualified for a wider range of linguistics jobs than those with only an undergraduate degree. They might be able to teach linguistics at a college or university, or they might be able to write or edit linguistics textbooks for undergraduate and graduate students. A master’s degree in linguistics may also qualify a person for work at a research institute, such as a foundation dedicated to recording and preserving tribal languages. Advanced linguistics degrees may also allow graduates to work as language consultants in the legal and law enforcement fields, assisting with the analysis of language and voice-related evidence.
Some linguistics jobs require an educational background that combines linguistics knowledge with training in another field of specialization. Those wishing to work as speech pathologists, for example, will almost certainly need to combine their undergraduate studies in linguistics with a master’s degree in speech pathology, as well as passing licensing exams. A person who wants to create voice-recognition software will typically need linguistics and software engineering training. She could pursue an undergraduate degree in linguistics and a graduate degree in software design, or the other way around.