College of Letters & Sciences

Language & Literature

Contact Information

Jonathan Ivry
Associate Professor
Phone: 262-472-5061
Location: Laurentide Hall 3207
Elizabeth Lamb
Department Associate
Phone: 262-472-1036
Location: Laurentide Hall 3209

Careers in Languages & Literatures


Because it provides a broad knowledge base, flexible communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and an understanding of human nature, the English major prepares students for a wide range of career opportunities. Students in non-teaching emphases are encouraged to minor in applied fields such as business, public relations, or journalism to complement the major. In recent years, English majors have found positions in the following areas:

  • Writing and editing for magazines, newspapers, and publishing companies
  • Technical writing
  • Management training and personnel
  • Public relations and advertising
  • Sales and customer service
  • Research
  • State and federal government
  • Teaching at the secondary or middle school level
  • Teaching English as a second language to adults, either abroad through the Peace Corps, or through bridge programs and corporate workplace programs

Foreign languages alone or in conjunction with other disciplines allow students to choose from numerous career paths. UW-Whitewater has long been a training center for foreign language teachers in the state, and high-level language proficiency can lead to work in the fields of interpreting and translation as well. Working knowledge of a foreign language, when combined with another major, also makes the job candidate more marketable in diverse areas such as:

  • Governmental service
  • Law
  • Social work
  • International business
  • Librarianship
  • Journalism
  • Health professions

Foreign languages alone or in conjunction with other disciplines allow students to choose from numerous career paths. UW-Whitewater has long been a training center for foreign language teachers in the state, and high-level language proficiency can lead to work in the fields of interpreting and translation as well. Working knowledge of a foreign language, when combined with another major, also makes the job candidate more marketable in diverse areas such as:

  • Governmental service
  • Law
  • Social work
  • International business
  • Librarianship
  • Journalism
  • Health professions

Foreign languages alone or in conjunction with other disciplines allow students to choose from numerous career paths. UW-Whitewater has long been a training center for foreign language teachers in the state, and high-level language proficiency can lead to work in the fields of interpreting and translation as well. Working knowledge of a foreign language, when combined with another major, also makes the job candidate more marketable in diverse areas such as:

  • Governmental service
  • Law
  • Social work
  • International business
  • Librarianship
  • Journalism
  • Health professions