Introduction
Linguistics is the study of the structure of human language. Students examine the forms and properties of phrases, sentences, sounds, and meanings. The social, cultural, cognitive, and historical facets of human language can also be explored. Students have the opportunity to study aspects of a vast assortment of familiar and unfamiliar languages, both in their own right and in comparison to the structure of English. The Department of Linguistics offers a major and minor in Linguistics, both designed to provide solid training in the core areas of the discipline as well as provide flexibility for individuals who choose to pursue their own specialized interests.
Linguistics is versatile and helps develop skills useful anywhere. Modern work in linguistics has had a profound impact on many fields where language is central: psychology, cognitive science, computer science, philosophy, the study of individual languages, literary theory, and anthropology. Graduates may go on to study linguistics in graduate school, or, because of their training in research, critical thinking, and writing, are also prepared for law school and other professional schools. Additionally, many careers do not require a specific major, but are chosen on the basis of personal interests, skills, preferences, and ambitions. Thus graduates can also pursue careers in business, government, education, and the Nonprofit sector. Regardless of your career plans, it is important to develop your marketability through internships, responsible work experience, good grades, and participation in campus activities.
A Sample of Related Occupations
| Administrative Assistant | Historian | Public Relations Specialist |
| Advertising Account Exec. | Human Resources Spec. | Publicity Assistant |
| Attorney | Insurance Underwriter | Research Assistant |
| Business Manager | Interpreter |
Researcher/Writer |
| Campaign Manager | Journalist | Sales Representative |
| Claims Examiner | Legislative Assistant | Special Events Coordinator |
| Lexicographer | Speech Pathologist | |
| Community Relations Director | Lobbyist | Speech Writer |
| Copy Writer | Management Trainee | Standardized Test Writer |
| Corporate Trainer | Market Research Analyst | Teacher |
| Critic | Marketing/Sales Manager | Television Producer |
| Customer Relations Rep. | Media Buyer | Underwriter |
| Editor | Nonprofit Administrator | Translator |
| Education Director | Personnel Trainee | Volunteer Coordinator |
Forensic Linguist |
Production Assistant | Writer/Author |
| Government Agency Administrator | Public Administrator |
Types of Employers
| Private & Nonprofit Organizations | ||
| Advertising Agencies | Healthcare Facilities | Newspapers/Magazines |
| Book/Magazine Publishers | Hospitality Organizations | Public Relations Firms |
| Community Arts Centers | Insurance Companies | Research Organizations |
| Community Service Organizations | Libraries | Retail Stores |
| Consumer Organizations | Market Research Companies | Telecommunications Firms |
| Educational Institutions | Media (Radio, TV) | Theaters |
| Foundations | Museums | |
| Government Agencies | ||
| Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services | Division of Youth & Family Services | National Security Agency |
| Census Bureau | Institute of Museum and Library Services |
NJ Department of Education |
CIA/FBI |
Legislative Affairs | Office of the Director of National Intelligence |
| Civil Rights Commission | Library of Congress |
Office of English Language Acquisition |
| Consumer Affairs Office | National Archives and Records Administration | Peace Corp/AmeriCorps |
| Cultural Affairs | National Endowment for the Arts | Travel and Tourism Dept. |
Department of Defense |
National Endowment for the Humanities | Voice of America |
| Department of Education | National Institutes of Health | |
Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates
| Associate Editor, Medical Economics Magazine | Publications & Marketing Director, The Children's Book Council |
| Benefit Specialist, Hay-Huggins Co., Inc. | Senior Copywriter, Solara (PhD Linguistics) |
| Group Leader, Intel Corp. | Senior Copywriter, Voxmedica (PhD Linguistics) |
| Manager of Book Cataloging, Baker & Taylor (MLS) | Speech-Language Pathologist, Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center |
| Massage Therapist, Somerset School of Massage Therapy | Staff Speech Pathologist, Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital (MS) |
| Outbound Administrator, American Institute for Foreign Study | Systems Programmer, Rutgers University |
| Police Officer, Paramus Police Department | Teacher, Belleville Bd. of Educ. |
| Political Officer, U.S. Embassy, Berlin | Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, City Univ. of NY (EdD) |
Graduate Schools Attended
| Benjamin N. Cardozo, JD, Law | Rutgers University, MLS, Library Science |
| Rutgers University, MS, Linguistics | Rutgers University, PhD, Linguistics |
| University of Kansas, MS, Speech-Language Pathology |
Additionally, you may:
Last Updated: 04/08/2011