Spanish is the second most popular language in the United States with more than 37 million people speaking it in their homes. Having the ability to read, write and converse in Spanish gives you a competitive edge in the job market. Bilingual job candidates are desirable to employers in a variety of occupational fields. A career using the Spanish language is also a great way to travel to, and even live in, foreign countries. Western Carolina University’s Bachelor of Arts in Spanish prepares students to speak Spanish and have a deeper understanding of the history and culture of Latin America and Spain.
The B.A. program in Spanish includes learning the Spanish language (both Peninsular and Latin American variants), and courses covering the culture and history of both Spain and Latin America. The coursework includes classes such as Spanish Civilization; Spanish Prose and Poetry; Spanish-American Civilization; Hispanic World Topics. Students will also have opportunities to study abroad in a number of countries. Spanish faculty and students are also active in the local Hispanic community and you will have opportunities for hands-on, cultural experiences and language practice.
Employers in almost every career field value having bilingual staff members giving you a variety of job options in the private and public sectors. Another popular, and in-demand, career is working as a translator or interpreter, a job that can have you working in the court system, hospitals and a variety of other locations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states the average salary for translators and interpreters is $49,110 (as of 2021) and expects the job field to grow by 20% by the year 2031, which is much faster than the average growth rate of jobs overall.