GERMAN
Disciplinary Major or Minor - www.uwgb.edu/german
OVERVIEW OF THE GERMAN PROGRAM:
The German program provides students with communication skills in both written and spoken German and an understanding of and appreciation for the peoples, literatures, and cultures of the German-speaking world.
Although many students choose to study German for personal growth and intellectual enrichment, the program is designed to prepare students to enter a variety of careers in, for example, teaching, business, industry and government, and to prepare them for further study at the graduate level. German language and culture studies are of great professional value in such fields as international business, communications, translating and interpreting, personnel work, public relations, management, education, music, art, philosophy, law, history, anthropology, theology, social work, politics and the travel industry. Furthermore, proficiency in a foreign language and an understanding of World Cultures are essential for peace and prosperity in a mutually interdependent world.
TIPS FROM THE PROFS :
(from Dr. Jennifer Ham, Adviser of German)
"No doubt learning a second language takes work and perseverance for the individual, but the reward is inestimable."
(from Prof. David Coury)
“Learning another language also means learning another culture and another way of thinking. In the 21st century, awareness and knowledge of other cultures will be crucial for any graduates success.”
WHO SHOULD HAVE THIS MAJOR :
- THINK GLOBALLY. Those who want to develop the skills and understanding essential for developing a global perspective in an increasingly interdependent world, should consider the German major.
- THINK FUN. If you are looking for a college experience that is both fun, rewarding and practical, then German is great for you!
- MINOR DECISIONS. Students majoring in German will also choose an interdisciplinary minor. Most German students interested in the humanities usually choose Humanistic Studies; students interested in teaching may choose an Education minor; those interested in business often choose the International Business Minor.
WHO SHOULD HAVE THIS MINOR :
- VALUABLE. The German minor will be extremely valuable in any career where you are conducting business with people, especially those from another country. Employers consider those who can speak another language and are knowledgeable of anWorld Culture as very valuable!
- TOP HITS. Some popular majors that students have chosen to pair with the German minor are (but not limited to) Business, Humanistic Studies, Philosophy, English, History, and Education.
WHAT’S UNIQUE ABOUT THIS MAJOR AT UWGB:
- OPPORTUNITY. All students in the German program are strongly encouraged to spend as much time as possible in German-speaking cultures; to study a semester or a year at UW-Green Bay's German exchange university, Kassel Universitþt; on the Hessen exchange, or to participate in the summer travel course in Konstanz, Germany.
- PARTICIPATE. Students have the opportunity to interact with German exchange students, attend film series and weekly German conversation tables, and to participate in a variety of German Club events and trips.
- TOOLS. The UW-Green Bay Language Resource Center has interactive audio-visual equipment, computers, and international television reception to support students' language acquisition and cultural awareness.
SKILLS & ABILITIES GAINED WITH THIS MAJOR:
- Students learn excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Students learn to communicate more effectively in another language.
- Students learn to think critically, develop analytical abilities, and to have flexibility in their learning.
- Students develop cultural awareness learn to appreciate diversity, become sensitive to cultural issues, and learn historical perspectives of World Cultures.
- As well as gaining a global experience multicultural perspectives, allowing them to have the ability to interact with World Cultures and people of different backgrounds.
WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THIS MAJOR :
Really anything you want! Because it is a very solid liberal arts degree. The possibilities are really endless! The three main fields that students have combined German with are Education, Business, and Public Relations. The best thing to do is to first assess your own interests, skills and abilities…it all relates to what exactly you want to do? Students can also use their German degree to pursue further study in Graduate School and Law School.
The following list represents a few of the kinds of career titles for GERMAN:
Bilingual Educator, Foreign Language Teacher, Interpreters, Literary Researchers/Translators, Multi-Lingual Port Receptionist, Researcher, Scientific Translator or Interpreter, Translators, Flight Attendants, Ticket Agents, Ground Hosts/Hostesses, Bilingual Secretaries, Exchange Program Coordinators, Foreign Correspondents, Freight Forwarders, Foreign Collections, C.I.A. Specialists, Immigration & Customs Inspectors, Intelligence, Foreign Service Officers, FBI Special Agents, International Research Teams, Librarian, Missionaries, Peace Corps Volunteers, Textbook Publishers, Tour Guides, Travel Agents, Tutors
The following list represents a few of the kinds of businesses and institutions that employ GERMAN:
- BUSINESS- Import/Export, Advertising, Banking & Finance, Engineering, Research, Translation
- GOVERNMENT- Foreign Service, Translation, Aid Agencies, Overseas Dependents' Schools, Radio, U. S. Armed Forces
- EDUCATION- Elementary & Secondary Schools, Colleges & Universities, Commercial & Government-Operated Schools, Overseas Dependents' Schools, Peace Corps Locations
- MEDIA- Journalism, Radio & Television, Film, Publishing
- TRAVEL- Transportation, Hotels & Motels, Excursions & Tours
- SERVICES- Health Professions, Social Work, Library Science, Service Organizations, Law & Law Enforcement, Volunteer Agencies
Want to know more about the nature of the work, working conditions, earnings, training, and job outlook for these occupations? Then check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook @ http://stats.bls.gov/ocohome.htm
LINKS TO GRAD PROGRAMS:
- Graduate School Guide. The comprehensive on-line guide to doctoral, masters, and professional programs. http://www.schoolguides.com
- Gradschools.com. The most comprehensive online source of Graduate School Information. http://www.gradschools.com/
- Peterson’s.com. The most comprehensive and heavily traveled education resource on the web. http://www.petersons.com/
- Or you can try any of the following search engine sites for information on the graduate school program of your choice! http://www.yahoo.com, http://www.infoseek.com, or http://www.snap.com
LINKS TO WEB SITES FOR MORE INFORMATION:
- United Nations. The UN has a direct impact on all our lives, everywhere in the world, in ways that are not always so well known. Homepage @ http://www.un.org/
- German American Chamber of Commerce of the Western United States. Goal is to promote business in both directions between the Western United States and Germany. Also has great information on jobs and internships! Homepage @ http://www.gaccwest.org/
- Overseas Jobs Express. The best and biggest selection of jobs. Homepage @ http://www.overseasjobs.com/
- International Career Employment Center. Open to anyone interested in international employment. Homepage @ http://www.internationaljobs.org/
- International Chamber of Commerce. The only representative body that speaks with authority on behalf of enterprises from all sectors in every part of the world. Homepage @ http://www.iccwbo.org/
- Institute of International Education. Enables outstanding men and women to study, conduct research, and receive practical training outside their own countries. Homepage @ http://www.iie.org/
- American Association of Teachers of German. Homepage @ http://www.aatg.org/
- Texthaus. An interactive online learning service for German. Homepage @ http://www.texthaus.com/
- STERN On-line. Up-to-the-minute news reports from Germany. Homepage @ http://www.stern.de/news
LINKS FOR MORE HELP:
- Make sure you check out UW-Green Bay’s German Department homepage @ http://www.uwgb.edu/german/
- For course listings and descriptions for German and other disciplines, check out UW-Green Bay’s Programs of Study page @ http://www.uwgb.edu/catalog/undrgrad/programs.htm
- More help is available on-campus at the Career Services Office at SS 1600, 465-2163. Homepage @ http://www.uwgb.edu/careers
- Contact Academic Advising at SS 1600, 465-2362. Homepage @ http://www.uwgb.edu/advising
- Another service for UW System students on the Web is UW HELP On-Line. This service provides in-depth information on the programs of the UW System. You can find them at @ http://www.uwhelp.wisconsin.edu
Revised 8/08
