What can I do with a major in Russian Studies?
The information below describes typical occupations and employers associated with this major. Understand that some of the options listed below may require additional training. Moreover, you are not limited to these options alone when choosing a possible career path.
Description of Russian Studies
With Russian being the language of approximately 150 million people, students majoring in Russian study one of the major languages of the world. All courses in language and the 400-level seminars are taught in Russian; courses in literature, culture, and film are taught in English. This interdisciplinary major is designed to enable students to communicate effectively in Russian, to become familiar with some of the most important works of Russian literature, and to articulate the most prominent intellectual issues that Russia and her culture have grappled with over the centuries and still face today. Having a greater sense of the Russian culture, these students are prepared for professions in government, politics, international relations and business, banking, trade, travel, or a host of other related professions. In fact, many companies in the United States and abroad are looking for employees who speak more than one language. Even if a student does not use his or her ability to speak Russian, the cultural awareness gained is a transferable skill that will be highly prized. (Rhodes’ Department of Modern Languages Website)
Possible Job Titles of Russian Studies Graduates
(*Jobs secured as reported by Rhodes Career Services post-graduate survey)
Anthropologist
Bilingual Instructor
CIA/FBI Special Agent
Civil Service Worker
Clerk
College Professor
Community Relations
Copy Editor
Corporate Specialist
Customs Official
Diplomat
Employment Interviewer
Flight Attendant
Foreign News Journalist
Foreign Services Worker
GIS Applications Developer
Historian
Hotel Manager
Immigration Specialist
Import/Export Agent
Intelligence Specialist Interpreter
International Engineering Aide
International Ticket Agent
Language Researcher
Language Teacher
Lawyer
Linguist
Marketing Director
Missionary
Peace Corps Volunteer Russian Teacher
Second Lieutenant*
Speech Pathologist
Teaching Assistant
Technical Recruiter
Tour Guide
Translator
Travel Agent
Web Designer
Possible Employers and Employment Settings for Russian Studies Graduates
(*Jobs secured as reported by Rhodes Career Services post-graduate survey)
Advertising Dept./Agencies
Air, Bus, and Rail Lines
Airports
Banks
CDS International
Chambers of Commerce
CIA/FBI
Colleges and Universities
Consultants of Atlanta
Delta Airlines
Friends of Growth
Government Agencies
Hotel Chains
Import/Export Companies
Investment Firms
Ketchum International
Linguarama
National Archives
News Bureaus
Nonprofit Organizations
Ohio State University
Peace Corps
Premiere Technologies
Public Relations Firms
Public Service Organizations
Schools
Siemens
Travel Agencies
U.S. Air Force*
Visitors Bureaus
Skill Sets and Interests Associated with Russian Studies Majors
- Fluency in speaking, reading, and writing Russian
- Ability to memorize detailed information
- Understanding of the culture of Russian-speaking countries
- Proficiency in phonetics and ability to imitate sounds
- Command of English language
- Self-disciplined and patient
- Motivated to learn new concepts
- Awareness of alternative life-styles
- Pronounced Linguistic ability
- Adaptable to new environments
- Loves to travel
Top Career Services Resources for Russian Studies Majors
- Careers for Foreign Language Aficionados and Other Multilingual Types by H. Seelye and J. Day
- Great Jobs for Foreign Language Majors by Julie DeGalan and Stephen Lambert
- Teaching English Abroad by Susan Griffith
- The Book of U.S. Government Jobs by Dennis Damp
- Directory of American Firms Operating in Foreign Countries
- Directory of Foreign Firms Operating in the US
Rhodes Campus Contacts Associated with Russian Studies
Career Services
901-843-3800
rhodes.edu/careerservices
Department of Modern Languages
901-843-3733
rhodes.edu/modernlanguages
Additional Resources/Contacts for Russian Studies Majors
American Association of Language Specialist
American Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages
Travel Industry Association of America
American Translators Association
National Assoc of Teachers of English
The Electronic Embassy
The United Nations