Alumni profiles
Name: Sophie Raworth
Degree: French and German Joint Hons
Year of graduation: 1991
Current Job title: BBC Newsreader
"My languages helped me get a job at the BBC Brussels bureau as a Producer. It was fantastic. Since then I've worked in Yorkshire as presenter, then BBC Breakfast, the Six O'clock news and currently I present the One O'clock news."
Name: Russell Brown
Degree: Chinese & French
Year of graduation: 2010
Current Job title: INTO Manchester Recruitment Manager (China)
"Less than 2 weeks after graduation I went back to China for a 2-month internship working for INTO University Partnerships, which ended up landing me my current full-time role based in Shanghai with the company. My degree was immensely influential in getting me the role as the company was looking for Chinese speakers who knew Manchester and had experience of studying abroad."
Name: Jessica King
Degree: BA Hons Russian Studies
Year of graduation: 2010
Current Job title: Assistant Educational Consultant
"I would not have been considered for this role unless I had the invaluable language skills I learnt at Manchester University. I work in an environment where Russian is spoken a lot of the time, and I am always encouraged to develop my own language skills in the workplace. Languages are a great tool for work and travel and definitely look impressive on your CV, plus it's always a conversation starter saying you studied Russian at uni!!"
Name: Suzannah Young
Degree: BA English Literature and a Modern Language (French)
Year of graduation: 2009
Current Job title: Communications Officer at FEANTSA (European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless), Belgium
"I started a 6-month stage in a European NGO (Brussels), with which I was already in contact because I asked them about the possibility of working there during my year abroad. The homelessness aspect was something I became interested in whilst volunteering with Student Action Manchester, and the European aspect came from my degree."
Name: Jenny Price
Degree: Master of Modern Languages (French & German)
Year of graduation: 2010
Current Job title: Work Placement Manager at European Training Services
"I believe my MML really helped in interviews as I was often asked whether I could cope in stressful situations and my intense undergraduate Masters was a very good example to use."
Name: Rachel Outram
Degree: French and Spanish Joint Honours
Year of graduation: 2002
Current Job title: Assistante Commerciale (for 6 months) and Director of a watersports company (6 months)
"Trilingual, I am far more valuable to employers with my languages, especially in the tourism industry. Languages are a must in the tourism industry; no matter which country you find yourself in, if you speak their language a little, and you speak English then you will find a job. The more you speak their language, the better the job. The greater the number of languages, the better the job."
Name: Charlotte
Age: 27
Degree: Hispanic Studies
Year of graduation: 2001
Current Job title: Lecturer in Brazilian Cultural Studies
"I spent ten months in Brazil, studying at the Federal University in João Pessoa, in the Northeast. I then spent two months following an intensive language course in Granada, in Spain. Both were fantastic experiences, and the former ignited a lasting passion for all things Brazilian!"
Name: George
Age: 28
Degree: Hispanic Studies
Year of graduation: 2001
Current Job title: Event Coordinator
"I used my languages for my freelance tour-guiding. It helps as people are always impressed and it looks good on your CV."
Name: Jess
Age: 26
Degree: Spanish and Italian
Year of graduation: 2002
Current Job title: Settlements Client Relationship Manager
"I use my languages almost every day... whether it's to speak with a client or gossip with a colleague! I'd definitely recommend anyone considering going to university to study a language as part of their degree."
Name: Rachel
Age: 25
Degree: French & German
Year of graduation: 2004
Current Job title: Account Manager
"Forming firmer business relations with clients is nearly guaranteed if the effort to speak their language, in their country, is made."
Name: Thomas
Age: 23
Degree: Spanish and French
Year of graduation: 2004
Current Job title: Director The Volunteer Site Limited
"It's strange to think that if I hadn't studied Spanish at Manchester I never would have got into it. My time at Manchester University has definitely made a real difference to the way my life has worked out."
Name: Anna
Age: 33
Degree: German and Italian (joint hons)
Year of graduation: 97
Current Job title:
assistant editor, Public Magazine, the Guardian
"Doing a language degree was the best decision I ever made. It opens doors career wise, improves self confidence and gives you a whole bunch of friends in other countries who often remain friends for life."