Why you should pursue a Spanish degree

A Spanish degree can be immensely beneficial to succeeding in your chosen career field. It can also open new opportunities that may not have previously been an option. Concordia University, Nebraska  offers many types of Spanish degrees, ranging from majors to teaching endorsements that can help you succeed in your future career.

While knowing Spanish will be helpful for opening international job options, it is also very beneficial for people planning on working in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, since 2003, the Hispanic workforce in the United States has increased 69%, a growth rate of 10 times the 6% growth of the non-Hispanic workforce in that time. By 2060, the United States is predicted to have more Spanish-speakers than any country besides Mexico.

Spanish can be very helpful in business leadership positions. If you lead a workforce with many Spanish-speakers, knowing their language can be a great way to connect with your employees and show respect for them.

Outside of corporate positions, the medical field has a need for Spanish-speakers as well. Currently less than 6% of healthcare workers in the United States speak Spanish, as opposed to the 13% of Americans that speak Spanish in the home. Less than half of the 53 million Spanish speakers in the United States are bilingual, making accessibility to a mostly English healthcare system difficult.

Another field with a growing need for Spanish-speakers is education. In addition to there being a need for teachers for Spanish-only speaking schools, there is a growing interest in bilingual schools. Teaching in both English and Spanish from a young age is a great way to improve fluency and to help students grow comfortable with both languages.

Aside from increasing career opportunities, becoming bilingual has been shown to improve your intelligence, attention, and other skills that can make you a more desirable candidate for whatever career you decide to pursue.

The Spanish program at Concordia University, Nebraska prepares students to use Spanish for real world communication within a variety of professions, as well as continued scholarship and service. Whether you decide to use your Spanish skills to teach others within classroom setting or to communicate with colleagues and clients in a non-school setting, the language preparation that you will receive at Concordia will equip you to successfully interact with those around you. Learn more about Concordia’s Spanish program here.