As the world quickly becomes one vast global village, command of a second language is vital to communication and greatly broadens career options. Wilkes' Spanish program acknowledges the need for professional courses in non-literary translation and business and medical applications, but also embraces traditional coursework in literature and culture. Study of foreign languages and literatures develops competence in another language, leads to a better understanding of international issues, and cultivates an appreciation of the differences among diverse cultures. Command of a foreign language enables students to advance their foreign language studies at the graduate level or pursue a broad range of career opportunities in the fields of education, domestic and international commerce, government service, industry, and many others.
Students can be placed in internships where they can use Spanish in their discipline. Students have interned in social services positions with the Victims Resource Center, Step by Step Inc., Montessori schools, free clinics, Wyoming Valley AIDS Council, medical fields and legal offices. Students with a major in Spanish have more opportunities to obtain a position in social services, medical field, teaching, overseas positions in government, and business.
