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What Can You Do With a Spanish Degree?

A Spanish degree helps you become professionally fluent in Spanish while building strong writing, analysis, and intercultural communication skills. Prepare for careers across business, healthcare, government, education, law, nonprofits, and other industries that serve Spanish-speaking individuals.

Global Skills That Set You Apart

Deepen your fluency and cultural understanding by majoring in Spanish. With over 500 million native speakers worldwide, a Spanish degree provides practical language and cultural skills used across many regions and professions. Employers value multilingual candidates, offering a competitive edge that can lead to promotions, higher pay, and career opportunities across industries and countries alike.

At Willamette, our Spanish program goes beyond language study to explore art, literature, and culture. Students can begin the major at a range of proficiency levels and build toward advanced fluency through coursework in language, culture, translation, and history. Graduates apply these skills across a wide range of careers, making an impact in communities and industries around the world.

Pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish

Learn how to communicate with different audiences while gaining skills such as cultural awareness, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Spanish language skills can lead to unique job opportunities, help you travel, serve others, and engage more meaningfully with communities at home and abroad. These skills can be extremely valuable in a variety of industries, including business, government, healthcare, law, and non-profit organizations.

Majoring in Spanish doesn’t confine students to one career track. A Spanish degree provides flexibility and options in a constantly changing world.

A Spanish cultural event with dancers

What Skills Do You Learn?

  • Spanish communication skills. Learn how to read, write, and speak Spanish professionally. Gain the ability to adapt your tone and words to reflect different audiences and contexts.
  • Applied language and analysis. Read and interpret complex texts, compare perspectives across cultures, and develop skills in translation and interpretation.
  • Cultural humility. Gain a deeper understanding of how culture, history, and identity shape perspective. Learn how to work effectively with others through cultural awareness, empathy, and a global perspective.
  • Critical thinking and problem solving. Apply your understanding of social, political, and cultural issues to real-world questions. Evaluate ideas from multiple perspectives, often working across Spanish and English to interpret meaning.
  • Teamwork. Collaborate with diverse groups, navigate unfamiliar environments, and build confidence in cross-cultural communication.
A professor working one on one with a student

What Jobs Can You Get With a Spanish Major?

Like other liberal arts degrees, Spanish majors can explore a wide range of career paths and options. From health and publishing to education, law, art, social work, and government, the possibilities are endless. Combine a Spanish major with another field of study to create a skill set that stands out. This flexibility lets you tailor your education to your career goals.

Consider roles such as:

  • Business and Marketing

    • Advertising Specialist
    • Bilingual Sales Representative
    • Human Resources Coordinator
    • International Banker
    • International Business Consultant
    • International Partnerships Manager
    • International Sales Representative
    • Supply Chain Manager

  • Government, Law, and Public Service

    • Diplomat
    • FBI Agent
    • Immigration Lawyer
    • Immigration Specialist
    • Intelligence Analyst
    • Law Enforcement Officer

  • Healthcare and Public Health

    • Community Health Worker
    • Health Services Manager
    • Healthcare Professional
    • Medical Interpreter
    • Public Health Specialist

  • Education and Academic Programs

    • ESL Teacher
    • English Teacher
    • Exchange Program or Study Abroad Director
    • Spanish Language Teacher

  • Writing and Communications

    • Broadcaster
    • Foreign Correspondent
    • Journalist
    • Publishing Editor
    • Technical Writer
    • Writer

  • Language Services

    • Interpreter
    • Transcriptionist
    • Translator

  • Community and Social Services

    • Community Outreach Specialist
    • Cultural Affairs Coordinator
    • International Aid Worker
    • Non-Profit Program Director
    • Social Worker

*Some of these career paths require an advanced degree or additional requirements. Speak with an advisor for additional information on how to qualify for a specific job.

Is a Spanish Degree Worth It?

With nearly 636 million Spanish speakers and a high demand for multilingual employees, a Spanish degree can be extremely valuable. In fact, nine out of ten employers rely on bilingual professionals, and more than half expect their need for language skills to grow over the next five years. Bilingual employees earn about 19% more than those who speak only one language. In fact, 43% of U.S. multilingual professionals earn at least $5,000 more annually due to their Spanish ability.

For many careers, Spanish isn’t just a “nice to have” skill—it’s essential for serving clients, patients, and communities effectively. A Spanish degree builds globally relevant skills that support successful careers and graduate study. While technical skills evolve quickly, language and cultural understanding remain constant. Paired with internships, study abroad, or a second major or minor, a Spanish degree offers a lasting advantage in the job market.

A group of students engaging in a conversation within a classroom

Consider Relevant Majors and Minors

Consider pairing a Spanish degree with other majors and minors, such as:

  • Biology. Spanish language skills are valuable in healthcare and scientific fields, helping professionals communicate with patients, communities, and colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
  • Business Administration. Pairing Spanish with business prepares students for careers in international companies, global markets, and cross-cultural communication.
  • International Studies. Combining Spanish with international studies prepares students for careers in diplomacy, global organizations, and international development.
  • Politics, Policy, Law, and Ethics. Pairing Spanish with politics can lead to careers in government, advocacy, and immigration law.
  • Psychology. Language and cultural understanding are especially valuable in counseling, social services, and research involving Spanish-speaking communities.
A student in a purple shirt sitting in front of a map

Internship Experience

At Willamette, we prioritize hands-on learning opportunities. We know how valuable hands-on learning is, which is why we encourage students to find internships within their career path. Willamette Spanish majors have gained experience with organizations such as:

  • Multnomah County Health Department
  • Oregon Health Authority
  • Oregon Health and Sciences University
  • Passion Impact, Inc.
  • Salem Intercultural Cities Organization
  • State of Oregon

Paths After College

While some students choose to start their career, other students are interested in a graduate degree program. Depending on your career goals and interests, it's important to consider any additional education requirements. Some consider law school, a Master of Arts degree, an MAT, an MSW, or even an MBA. Other students pursue roles that only require a bachelor's degree.

Our graduates have launched careers and continued their education with:

  • Developmental Disabilities Resource Center
  • Disability Rights Oregon
  • Financial Beginnings
  • Girls, Inc.
  • Linfield University
  • Portland State University
  • Seattle Pacific University
  • Seattle University
  • UC Riverside
  • University of Colorado Boulder
  • University of Oregon
  • University of the Pacific

Why Choose Willamette for Spanish?

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