Bilingual Social Work Jobs
In a growing number of cities and states across the US, social workers are increasingly required to know more than one language, particularly Spanish. The good news is that social work jobs are increasing in number faster than most jobs, and if social programs are expanded in the United States the need for more of these professionals will increase.
Before you can secure these positions, you will first need to complete your education in social work. A bachelor's degree in this field is a minimum requirement. However, if you want the opportunity for advancement you should pursue a master's degree. Many universities offer both. Some offer courses in the evening to make it convenient for social workers who are already employed to attend.
Communication skills are critical to success in these fields. You will need to talk to people from a wide variety of backgrounds, including children at times. You will also need to create written reports and documents, which means that skills in both written and verbal communication are essential. Knowing a second language helps you communicate with more people and means the organization employing you can save money on translators.
The average annual salary for social workers ranged from $35,000 to $43,000 in 2006. The upper income levels range from around $57,000 to $63,000 annually.
Bilingual IT Jobs
The information technology field has long been one of the fastest growing industries in the United States. That trend is expected to continue up through 2016. Previously, most of the IT work being done was in English and in the United States, and most people never thought twice about needing anyone who could speak another language. Today, that is changing. More and more companies are working globally and even locally with clients who speak different languages.
If you are going to be working in IT, you should first find out how much education is required. That amount depends on the position for which you are shooting. In some cases, you only need a two-year degree. However, most jobs are going to require a minimum of a bachelor's degree in information technology. If you are hoping to gain advancement in this career, you should proceed to secure an MIS (Master of Information Systems) degree. Now, some people in the IT field are also interested in management positions. To secure one of these, you should couple your technology training with a business degree or an MBA.
Depending on the IT position you choose, the annual salary ranges from between $64,000 to $93,000 per year. If you are planning to be an IT management professional, the average salary is just over six figures.
Bilingual Clerical Jobs
Another major area where speaking more than one language can be an asset is clerical work. The good thing is that these jobs will provide you with a decent salary without requiring a great deal of formal education. Also, there is often a chance for advancement into management positions.
You may be able to receive some formal training at a business or vocational college, but this is not always a necessity. Having fast and accurate typing skills is essential. You need to have strong communication skills, the ability to multi-task efficiently, and a sense of discretion, because you are going to be dealing with many private personal and professional issues in your field.
If you are hoping to advance, you should consider receiving a postsecondary degree in the field. These can be obtained at a wide variety of institutions across the country.
The annual salary for clerical positions ranges from $27,000 to $38,000. Management positions in the clerical arena average about $43,000.
Other Spanish Bilingual Jobs
Besides the jobs listed above, there are a wide range of other available positions in which bilingual skills are a necessity. For example, customer service jobs could also benefit from bilingual abilities. You will need to communicate with a wide range of people effectively, and having more than one language under your belt is a great advantage. The average salary for these positions is $28,000.
There is a wide variety of similar positions in almost any profession. Bilingual law clerks are needed to help non-English speakers complete legal documents. Bilingual nurses are needed to translate important medical information for patients. Teachers who know more than one language are essential for diverse classrooms and for teaching other languages to the next generation.
Regardless of the positions you are considering, knowing more than one language is going to become more desirable as society continues to diversify. Plus, even if you don't need that extra language in your job in the United States, it may help you to expand your overseas opportunities.
