Students studying in Social Sciences Building

What can I do with my studies?

International Studies and Modern Languages

Program overview

Program requirements

Acquired skills

University education stimulates the development of many valuable skills transferable to the workplace. Employers increasingly demand a set of skills from their employees; communication, research, data use, analytical, decision-making, problem-solving, planning and organizational, responsibility, adaptability and autonomy, and teamwork skills are sought after. While they can seem limited to each program of study, skills are adaptable and extendable to a variety of situations and they can also be used to acquire other aptitudes and abilities hence ensuring the development and advancement of ones career (to further develop your skill set, see Experience section). The list of skills below can then help in the process of choosing occupations that best fit your education and aptitudes and it can also be used to communicate your employability.

Skills 

General Skills

  •  Application of quantitative and qualitative research methods
  •  Ability to conduct research projects in an autonomous manner
  •  Ability to communicate efficiently both orally and in written forms, especially to write research papers in an efficient manner
  • Demonstrate professional skills, notably ethical judgment, respect for deadlines and to take feedback into consideration

Specific Skills

  • Critically analyze international events
  • Demonstrate the skills required for the certificate of competencies in the second language (English or French)
  • Demonstrate advanced linguistic competencies in a third language (Arabic, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish)
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of different theoretical approaches, concepts and academic traditions in political science

Further studies

Many graduate programs are available for people with an undergraduate degree interested in expanding their knowledge, specializing or conducting research. The graduate programs below are examples selected from the list of graduate programs offered by the University of Ottawa. While they are related to this program of study, it is important to consult the admission requirements of the programs as not all types of degrees qualify one for admission. Moreover, additional programs and other universities could be considered depending on your career plan.

Graduate programs

  • Public and International Affairs (MA)
  • Political Science (MA, PhD)
  • Globalization and International Development (MA)
  • Communication (MA, MComm)
  • Government Communication (Graduate Certificate)
  • Conflict Studies (MA)
  • Business Administration (MBA)

Potential occupations

Universities studies lead to multiple occupations. Furthermore, certain professions require talent, special aptitudes, additional skills and experience beyond degrees themselves. By targeting a profession, it can make decisions easier during your schooling, throughout your job search and, finally, when choosing among job offers. The choices can change over time based on academic, personal, and professional paths and on the knowledge of occupations and of the labour market.

 In order to list your choices, visit the Job Bank Canada website and, using the National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes, view job postings, wages, employment prospects and other important information that can help you make a decision. If need be, additional and complementary information can be found via two online career exploration tools (Careercruising and Choices Planner)* also designed to facilitate your career advancement. The occupations found below are examples derived from the National Occupational Classification. They are presented by their occupational group title, in bold, followed by bulleted occupational titles specific to the program of study. Immediately after the occupational titles, the hyperlinked NOC code for the occupational group is provided. Overall, the occupations are presented side by side with their employment requirements and the establishments where to find a job.

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 is the authoritative resource on occupational information in Canada providing a standard taxonomy and framework for dialogue on Labour Market Information. It gathers more than 30,000 occupational titles into 500 Unit Groups, organized according to skill levels and skill types.

Occupations related to this program

Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers

  • International aid and development project officer
  • International relations specialist
  • Labour policy analyst
  • Poverty and Discrimination Researcher
  • Social policy analyst 

A bachelor's degree in a social science or related discipline; a master's degree in a social science or related discipline or in business administration may be required; progression to managerial positions is possible with experience

Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants

  • International development and assistance researcher
  • International development officer
  • International development representative

A bachelor’s degree in a relevant social science discipline; progression to managerial positions is possible with experience

Translators, terminologists and interpreters

  • Interpreter
  • Terminologist
  • Translator

A university degree in a discipline such as languages, linguistics or philology and courses in linguistic transfer; 2 years of experience as a full-time translator working in two languages, at least one of which is an official language; certification on dossier or by examination from the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council; membership in a provincial or territorial association of translators, interpreters and terminologists; fluency in three languages for translators or interpreters working in an international context

Secondary school teachers

  • Modern languages teacher- secondary school

A bachelor’s degree in education followed by a bachelor’s degree in the teaching subject; a provincial teaching certificate is required; membership in a provincial or territorial teachers' association or federation may be required

Employment insurance, immigration, border services and revenue officers

  • Immigration agent

A bachelor's in a related discipline is usually required; several years of related administrative or regulatory experience may be required; completion of specialized government training is required

College and other vocational instructors

  • Modern languages teacher college level
  • Modern languages tutor language school 

A bachelors degree in the field of instruction is required; a masters degree in the field of instruction may also be required

Other professional occupations in social science

  • Linguist

A bachelors degree in a related social science discipline; a masters or doctoral degree in linguistics is usually required

Program officers unique to government

  • Diplomat
  • Foreign service officer

A bachelor's degree in a related discipline; a master's degree may be required; several years of experience as a researcher, consultant or program administrator may be required; foreign service officers are accepted on the basis of competitive examination

Senior government managers and officials

  • Ambassador

A university degree is usually required; a graduate degree in a related field may be required; several years of managerial experience in the public or private sector

Administrators post-secondary education and vocational training

  • Assistant dean
  • Dean
  • Faculty administrator

Faculty administrators require a graduate degree in a field related to the academic faculty and several years of experience as a university professor or college teacher

Related field

Although many students believe that they will pursue a career path directly connected to their university studies, quite often, graduates tend to work in related fields. Below is a list of possible related fields of work based on a given program of study. These fields present opportunities that are not typically considered as first choices when choosing a career path based on a program of study. Hopefully, this list will allow students to further consider the various fields that are loosely connected to their program of study. These results were compiled through a research of the University of Ottawa's alumni profiles which were found on the business-oriented social networking service, LinkedIn. 

Related Fields

  • Program and Project Management
  • Community and Social Services
  • Information Technology
  • Operations
  • Support

Acquiring experience

Experience is acquired by participating and trying new personal, educational and professional activities, where it is possible to discover preferences, increase confidence and improve skills. As for professional experience, it is acquired through volunteering, internships, self-employment and full-time or part-time jobs. And certainly, experience working on campus or in other settings adds to the set of skills acquired in your degree (see Acquired Skills section). The Employability Skills 2000+ presenting the skills employers look for in their employees as well as its complementary checklist can help target experience opportunities that will improve your skill set necessary for employment. In addition to developing these skills, performing work related to your program of study can strengthen your expertise and increase your employability.

All examples of volunteer experience and potential employers were selected specifically for this area of study and according to occupational groups in which it is possible to acquire experience. Examples of volunteer organizations in Canada and abroad are preceded by a list of directories that can help to find more volunteer opportunities. Examples of potential employers in Canada and abroad have been compiled in light of events held in partnership with employers, searches in company directories and well-established rankings.

Volunteer opportunities

In addition to providing an opportunity to apply theories and knowledge learned during your university studies outside the classroom, in real world situations, volunteering is a way to help the community and its many organizations. The Community Service Learning also allows students to contribute to their community by participating in projects that are related to their program of study.

Directories

Canada Abroad

Potential employers

The following examples of employers can offer internships or employment opportunities related to students program of studies. The examples are presented according to geographic location: Ottawa and Gatineau, Ontario, Quebec and other provinces.

In Canada

Ottawa/Gatineau Region Ontario

Quebec Other provinces and territories

Abroad

The requirements for working abroad consider factors like administrative laws, professional standards and work permits in some countries. To learn about requirements in various countries, visit Skill Clear or MyWorldAbroad (registration with a @uOttawa.ca email is required to use MyWorldAbroad).

Established globally

North America (excluding Canada)

South America

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania

Others

Job search resources

The job search resources are designed to stimulate networking activities, develop marketing strategies and facilitate access to job postings. Networking events offer employers the opportunity to learn about the available workforce, and they give students a chance to be considered in the recruitment process. Career Development Centre offers helpful tips on networking, interview preparation techniques and different tools that can also be used to help with the preparation of resumés and cover letters.

Professional organizations

Examples of professional organizations, presented by location, provide essential information on professional development opportunities and networking activities, the examples can also provide access to publications and job opportunities.

Canadian Provincial and territorial

American International

Job search sites

Here are a few websites posting jobs available in Canada and abroad related to this field of study.

Canadian International

General Job Search Websites

Date modified : 2016-06-10