Are you ready to turn your language skills into career opportunities? Many of our students build successful careers in diverse fields such as business, education, government, and the nonprofit sector, while others pursue advanced degrees. Language proficiency and intercultural competence are key to working effectively across cultural perspectives in an evolving global landscape.
Join us for Language & Career Week in March 2025—a dynamic series of panels, roundtables, and networking opportunities designed to help you bridge the gap between language learning and professional success. Hear from industry experts, alumni, and faculty about how languages have shaped their careers, and discover how your language skills can open doors in unexpected ways.
Check out the full schedule below and start planning your week!
Schedule
Schedule
(Click here for more detailed version)
Monday, March 3
Your Networking Game Plan: Prep for SuccessTHH 309K | 12:00–1:00 PM
Career Resources – Handshake, GoinGlobal, VMOCK, Big Interview THH 309K | 1:00–2:00 PM
Panel: Languages in STEM & Government THH 309K | 2:00–4:00 PM
This panel explores the critical role of language skills in STEM and government careers. Panelists will discuss how multilingualism enhances collaboration, research accessibility, and public service.
Tuesday, March 4
Panel: Languages and Education: Navigating Global Experiences and Academic Growth
THH 271 | 12:00–2:00 PM
This panel examines how foreign language learning shapes experiences abroad, teaching careers, and academic advancement.
Livestreaming Podcast Show on YouTube THH 309K | 12:00–2:00 PM
Join us for an engaging livestream podcast featuring two esteemed USC language professors as they share insights on language learning, cultural connections, and professional applications.
Panel: Bridging Language and Career: Opportunities in Law, Business and Translation THH 309K | 3:30–5:00 PM
This session highlights the significance of Spanish proficiency in law, business, and translation, discussing how language skills impact client interactions and cultural understanding.
Wednesday, March 5
Panel: Language as a Career Asset: East Asian Perspectives on Global Opportunities THH 309K | 12:00–2:00 PM
Panelists will explore how knowledge of East Asian languages influences careers in business, education, and international relations (refreshments provided)
Roundtable: PR, Journalism, Language Internships THH 309K | 2:00–3:30 PM
Industry experts will discuss how multilingual communication benefits careers in public relations, journalism, and international internships.
Thursday, March 6
Panel: The Power of Language: Unlocking Career Opportunities in International Fields THH 309K | 12:00–2:00 PM
This session highlights the value of Chinese proficiency in diplomacy, business, and career development. (lunch provided to the first 25 attendees)
Panel: Language as a Tool for Advocacy and Education THH 309K | 2:00–3:00 PM
A discussion on how Arabic language skills create professional opportunities in government, business, and international relations.
Keynote Speaker: Kate McCutchen THH 309 | 4:00–5:30 PM
From a BA in French to Big Tech: Career Lessons from an Accidental Cross-Cultural Marketer
Kate McCutchen ’04 has built a successful international career, living and working in Paris, London, and Luxembourg. With a background in French and international business, she has held key roles at Apple, Samsung, and luxury luggage brand Away, leveraging her language skills and global expertise to navigate diverse professional landscapes.
Detailed Schedule
Explore career opportunities at our Mini Career Fair, where organizations and industry representatives will be available to discuss job prospects, internships, and professional pathways for language learners. Connect with experts, ask questions, and discover how multilingualism can give you a competitive edge in the workforce.
The Fair will be open Monday through Thursday from 12:00 to 4:00 PM. Some representatives may be present to speak with attendees, while others will leave materials for you to explore at your convenience.
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You can find the full list of speakers and their bios on this this page.
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Kate is an experienced business leader with experience leading go-to-market teams across publicly traded companies such as Square, Amazon and Apple and VC-backed companies such as Away and Republic. Most recently she has worked as a marketing consultant and interim CMO for EU and Middle Eastern startups including ManyPets and Stryde, after serving as both CMO of Seedrs and SVP Marketing of Republic, the American unicorn that acquired Seedrs, from 2022 – 2024. Prior to Seedrs, she helped UK grocery delivery start up Weezy successfully exit to Getir and served as the European GM for Away Travel. Before moving into VC-backed startups, she spent almost 15 years at blue chip companies leading product launches, geographic expansions, brand transformations and more. At Square she was a part of the European launch team and led both marketing and business operations through 100% YoY growth for three years. At Amazon, she was a part of the launch team for AmazonFresh internationally, leading marketing in UK and advising DE and JP; lead European marketing for Amazon Media Group, now a multi-billion dollar ad sales business; and served as a senior product manager for Kindle, expanding across Europe. After completing her BA in French at USC, she began her career at Air France as an agent at IAD airport (mostly for the cheap flights to Europe), proof positive that the road to FAANG can run through many paths.
She has deep experience in building global teams and organisations, managing through both growth and downcycles, P&L ownership, and building brands that are impactful and differentiated in the market. She received her MBA from HEC Paris and her BA in French from USC. An American by birth and Brit by choice, she currently splits her time between London and Yorkshire with her husband and basset hound.
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Language and Career Fair will be open Monday through Thursday from 12:00 to 4:00 PM. Some representatives may be present to speak with attendees, while others will leave materials for you to explore at your convenience. Stop by to learn more about exciting opportunities!
Dornsife Career Pathways
Octavio Avila, DirectorLaury DeSanctis, Assistant Director of Student & Alumni Engagement
Middlebury Institute of Graduate Studies
Lizzie Roberts, Assistant Director of Global Recruiting
Ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères
Benoît Labat, Attaché de coopération universitaireUSC Office of Overseas Studies
Giancarlo Taylor, Student Programs Advisor IIUSC Academic Honors and Fellowships Office
Katie CalvertUSC Institute of Armenian Studies
Shushan Karapetian, DirectorItaly-America Chamber of Commerce West (IACCW)
Genny Nevoso, Executive DirectorIstituto Cultura Italiana
Emanuele Amendola, Director
US-China Institute
Crystal Hsia, Program Specialist/ Program OfficerUSC Scholarships & Fellowships Office
USC EALC Language Programs
Spanish Consulate in Los Angeles – Department of Education
USC Dornsife Office of Undergraduate Academic Advising and Administration
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This event is organized by the Center of Languages and Cultures and is sponsored by
Dornsife Projects Supporting Undergraduate Education grant
with additional support from:
Department of Middle East Studies
Department of French and Italian
Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures
USC U.S.-China Institute
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Mina Soroosh, Chair (Department of French & Italian)
Jennifer Misran (Department of French & Italian)
Francesca Ricciardelli (Department of French & Italian)
Hsiao-Yin Angela Liao (Department of East Asian Languages & Cultures)
Ivette Miriam Gomez (Department of Latin American & Iberian Cultures)
Sasha Pchelintseva (Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures)
How to get there:
Follow this interactive map to get directions from the Royal Parking Structure to Taper Hall
