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Here are a few examples of what our alumni do after graduation:

• Naomi Perry, French and Biology major (`24)
  • Fulbright Scholar (France)

• Ashlynn Burrows, Conflict Analysis and Dispute Resolution and Communication major – participated in a MDFL community outreach program (`24)
  • Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (Czech Republic)

• Ian Leverage, Spanish and Information System major (`23)
  • IT Auditor

• Aida Dodoo, French and International Studies major (`22)
  • Americorps, Community Support Center at the Wicomico Public Library (Salisbury, MD)
  • Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (Madagascar)

• Lindsay Remetz, French and Psychology major (`22)
  • M.A. in Applied Counseling Psychology, University of Baltimore

• Juan Camilo Arango Millan, Spanish and International Studies major (`21)
  • Member, Maryland House of Delegates
  • Senior Legislative Aide, Montgomery County Council
  • Owner, Arango Ventures, consulting firm managing nonprofits and political campaigns contracts
  • Council and Diplomatic Board Member, Council of Global Change, UN General Assembly
  • Member, Maryland General Assembly

• Richard Hutson, Spanish and International Studies major (`21)
  • Bilingual Program & Outreach Director, Tri Community Mediation (Salisbury)
  • Spanish Teacher, Wicomico County Public Schools
  • M.A. in Education, Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é

• Monica Chase, Spanish minor and master’s in social work (`21)
  • Licensed Master Social Worker, Mental Health Therapist with Chesapeake Health Care

• Nelcy Avila, Spanish and International Studies major (`19)
  • Employment Navigator, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
  • Department of Education’s Fulbright-Hays Abroad Grant Recipient (Perú)
  • Superintendent, Charles County Public Schools
  • Modern Language Department Chair and Spanish Teacher, Westlake High School
  • M.A. in Latin American Studies, Georgetown University
  • Intern, Organization of American States and IN Series (nonprofit theater and opera company)

• Ron Contreras, Spanish and International Studies major (`19)
  • Crime Analyst, Takoma Park Police Department
  • Analyst, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
  • Spanish Linguist, Drug Enforcement Agency

• Alena Jackson, French major (`19)
  • Project Manager, Bloomberg L.P. (New York, NY)
  • Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator, Bloomberg L.P. (New York, NY)
  • Admissions Counselor, University of Maryland, College Park (College Park, MD)

• Kylie Bales, French and International Studies major (`18)
  • Analyst, the U.S. Department of Defense

What do they say about our programs?

A language degree teaches you generalized professional and personal skills:

• “Taking the French major at SU has enabled me to be fluent in French, i mprove my English and writing abilities, and made me competent in navigating situations that are uncomfortable or unknown.”
• “Beyond the technical skills, my studies in French taught me how to approach challenges with creativity and adaptability. Whether analyzing literature or crafting persuasive arguments, I learned to think critically and express myself with clarity and confidence.”
• “I would not have even thought of moving away from my hometown if it weren't for studying abroad [for my major] during my time at SU.”

A language degree opens to many professional paths:

• “These experiences [acquired through my Spanish B.A.] have allowed me to advocate for underrepresented communities, drive impactful policy initiatives, and engage in diplomatic and legislative work on both local and international levels.”
• “My time as a tutor [in a Modern Languages community program] also helped me recognize that my patience, kindness, and awareness of students’ vulnerabilities are some of my greatest strengths as a teacher.”
• “As a result of my opportunities to speak and present during my Spanish classes, I improved my presentation skills and became better at rephrasing or rewording explanations to be clearer. In my role as an IT auditor (where I evaluate companies for their cybersecurity risk programs based on set frameworks) I frequently utilize these skills.”
• “Studying Spanish at Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é not only improved my language skills but opened my horizons for my career as a social worker. I have been able to establish quicker rapport when I interact with clients once they discover that I have studied Spanish and I can utilize this skill in session, if need be.”
• “Because of my French language abilities [and as a pharmacy technician], I can help people who speak very little English receive the medical care they need and communicate their needs to the pharmacist to better assist them.”
• “I worked on special projects and counter-narcotic operations led by Drug Enforcement Agency special agents. I became the agents’ ears and brains, having to assess Spanish language content and summarize and make it digestible for an English-speaking audience. This was something my courses had prepared me for […].”
• “12% of the population in Takoma Park is Hispanic or Latino with various of the detectives I work alongside [as a Crime Analyst] also being Spanish speaking.”
  • “Being a French major […] has allowed me to have conversations with people from various backgrounds, read French language press to inform my work, and provided invaluable cultural context when working with European colleagues [as Analyst for the European region at the Department of Defense].”
  • “[Thanks to my French linguistic skills,] I will be able to learn the vocabulary and communicate about astrobiological and aerospace research in French, which will help with international cooperation in my future career. NASA utilizes ESA labs in France for astrobiological and astrochemical research.”
• “This cultural awareness has enhanced my ability to collaborate effectively in diverse professional settings.”

A language degree gives you skills and experiences for academic success after graduation:

• “My experience with French aided me in securing a French Fulbright [in Paris, which is a very sought-after location].”
• “As I pursue a master’s, I am eligible for a wider selection of programs now since I meet the prerequisite language proficiency.”
• “The program’s emphasis on rigorous writing assignments […] honed my ability to craft detailed, structured, and precise documents. Tackling complex grammar and sentence structures in a second language required discipline and attention to detail […]. These skills […] are particularly relevant as I prepare to apply to law school.”