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School of Languages and Area Studies

Our Graduates at Work

Our language graduates do not all go into teaching and translating. In fact, our graduates go on to work in a wide range of professions, in both the private and public sectors. Below are a few examples of student profiles.

For further information of SLAS graduates at work contact:
Emmanuel Godin, Park Building, University of Portsmouth PO1 2DZ
Tel: 0044 23 92 846158.
emmanuel.godin@port.ac.uk

BA (Hons.) Combined Modern Languages
Natasha Ward
INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
Environmental Specialist – Sustainable Development Department
Washington, D.C., USA.

Whilst studying for my degree in Combined Modern Languages at the University of Portsmouth I developed a strong passion for Latin America, environment and development issues. Since graduating I have gone on to travel extensively in South America, settling for two years in Chile where I worked as a Consultant for the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America in Sustainable Development Issues. I returned to the UK to complete an MA in Environment, Development and Policy. For the past 2 years I have been working as Environmental Specialist for the Inter-American Development Bank. I am preparing the next Sustainability Review for the Bank and continuing with Greening action plans for the Bank - including the carbon neutral program I am setting up.

Taking Hispanic Studies as part of my language degree at Portsmouth has enabled me to pursue a career in Latin America, as well as fully enjoy my travels in the region, not only in terms of language skills gained throughout my degree but also more importantly in terms of the wider framework of studies I followed. During my four years of study at Portsmouth I took options in Latin American Economics, Geography and Development, which has given me a solid base on which to build a career in research on issues involved in sustainable development in the Americas.

BA (Hons.) Combined Modern Languages
Lourdes Iglesias Devesa
UPS INTERNATIONAL
MARKET ANALYST – REVENUE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
Brussels, Belgium.

For a long time, I have had a passion for languages. The University of Portsmouth helped me to nurture and develop this passion. I studied French and Italian in a department with a true international ‘buzz’, with students and members of staff from different cultural backgrounds. My year abroad in Senegal and Italy also contributed to develop my interest in other cultures and different working environments.

After graduation from Portsmouth, I left the UK and traveled to Belgium hoping to use my newly acquired language skills. As my studies gave me a sound grounding in Economics and Marketing, I was able to find a job 4 months after graduating with a famous American Bank, JP Morgan. After extensive training, I worked there as a “corporate actions specialist” for finance products. My language skills were essential for this job, as most of my customers where based in all the main European capitals (Madrid, Lisbon, Paris, London, and Milan). The economic and marketing terminology that I acquired during my studies was invaluable. Recently, I have changed job and am now working for the Marketing department of United Parcels Services International, with specific responsibility for revenue management for all the strategic accounts of our German and Scandinavian clients studying at Portsmouth has enabled me to pursue a career in an international environment. The languages skills I have acquired, as well as the variety of options which I studied, have given me a solid base on which to build the career I wanted.

BA (Hons.) Applied Languages
Roland Moore
Civil Servant, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, London.

Following graduation, I worked through various employment agencies using one or both of my languages. After two or three months, I secured a more permanent post, as a Recruitment Officer at the Head Office IBM's personnel department for Europe, Middle East and Africa. This job involved co-ordinating the internal recruitment of IBM staff in France, Italy and Spain and made the most of the language skills that I had competently developed at Portsmouth.

Having successfully applied to a government recruitment scheme, I began working as a civil servant at the Health and Safety Executive, in the policy division dealing with chemical legislation and workers’ protection. As a team, we were responsible for developing chemical policy at the international (OECD and UN) and European levels. I was responsible for the implementation of some EU Directives and the publication of documents and guidance leaflets explaining complex chemical regulations. The knowledge in EU policy that I acquired during my studies, as well as my BA dissertation on European Environment policy, enabled me to understand exactly the process in which I was involved. Moreover, my languages skills enabled me to secure a training programme with the European Commission’s Environment Directorate General in Brussels, where for six months I gained further insight into European environment legislation. I now work for the Waste Strategy division of Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and plan to further my career and interests by undertaking a MSc Environment & Sustainable Development.

BA (Hons.) Languages and European Studies
Rebecca Nicole Kay
Leonardo mobility program manager
University of Udine, Italy.

Studying in Portsmouth has given me a great insight the history, politics, culture and society of France and Italy. My year abroad enabled me to combine a work placement in the first semester with an Erasmus study period in the second. My year abroad laid the foundations of my future career and personal development. I spent the first 5 months doing a work placement in Paris. As Secrétaire de Direction at the head office of Darty (the biggest electrical goods retailer in France). It was a tough experience,as a I was expected to do the same work and achieve the same standards as my French colleagues. It was an important « growth » experience for me, an extremely formative period. I acquired knowledge about office administration, how to hold formal telephone conversations with clients and suppliers (which I didn’t know how to do in English, let alone in French!) and improved my public relations skills. The second part of my year abroad was spent studying in Udine, a small town in northern Italy on the border with Slovenia. I perfected my Italian language skills and experienced a completely different style of life from the one I had led in Paris! While I was there, I started to learn another language, Slovene.

After graduating I went back to Udine. The TEFL course I had followed at Portsmouth University enabled me to complement my income by giving English classes. I soon started a work placement at Udine University. I am now part of the team and for the past three years, I have been managing the European Leonardo mobility programme, which funds internships in European countries for students and graduates. My language skills and the professional and cultural experience I gained during my year abroad have helped me to find my professional and personal path in Italy, where I have now started a family.

BA (Hons.) Combined Modern Languages
Michele Ferrara
Entrepreneur, South East England.

I have always been adventurous (I am rally race co-driver at semi professional level). I have always wanted to go abroad, to meet new people and to understand other culture. I always like to make things happen. I left my native Italy to come and study in Portsmouth, since the University seemed to offer what I was looking for: a cosmopolitan environment, opportunities to improve my languages skills (essential if you want to meet and understand other people!), a flexible choice of units, some with a strong professional elements, other helping you to understand the world in which you live, to understand others as well as yourself! In that respect, my year abroad helped was a fantastic experience!

After graduation, I worked in Switzerland for an International company, European Trade & Consulting as an Assistant Marketing and Sales Consultant. There I furthered my knowledge in marketing and finance and was to put into practice what I had learnt during my degree. However, I soon wanted to put into practice other skills I had developed in my course, particularly entrepreneurship skills. I decided to create my own company in real estates management. It is doing well and I am now planning to start a second business, producing and delivering freshly prepared food to private companies and public sector institutions, such as hospitals and nursing home.

At Portsmouth University, I met great people from all walks of life and learnt so much through them. I gained many skills, professional and personal skills. But above all, my studies have strengthened my desire to live life to the full, to go ahead, to explore, to take (calculated) risk, to make my life my own.

BA (Hons.) International Trade with Spanish
Karen Poore
International Executive Assistant for Africa and the Middle East
Law Society for England and Wales.

Like many people, immediately after graduating I spent some time doing temporary work. Certain aspects of my degree course had influenced my ideas as to what career path I wanted to pursue. As part of the compulsory third year abroad I spent a semester studying and working as a stagiaire in Dakar, Senegal. It was a fantastic opportunity and I wouldn't hesitate to go back there if I was to do it again. It may have been more challenging than going to France in terms of having to push myself and be quite self-sufficient, but I found the whole year abroad very rewarding academically, linguistically and personally. In my final year I took some modules on West Africa and Algeria and ultimately hoped to find work in the field of international development.

Largely due to my experiences in Senegal I was offered the post of Local Co-ordinating Officer for HiPACT, an association of British Universities committed to widening participation in education. The organisation had recently initiated projects with Nigerian state governments and I was based in Nigeria working with government officials and local staff to set up offices and implement educational projects. At the end of the 20 months I spent working with HiPACT I had spent several periods in Nigeria, seen the projects expand to the extent that the Head of State attended an inauguration ceremony for one of them and was based in the UK office as International Programme Co-ordinator. Recently, I have started a new job with the Law Society of England and Wales as International Executive Assistant for Africa and the Middle East. In Uganda, I have led for an assessment visit for a project which has been granted European Social Funding with the aim of strengthening the capacity of the Legal Aid Project of the Uganda Law Society. My language skills come in useful and ultimately have given me a lot more scope for movement within this field.

BA (Hons.) Combined Modern Languages
Sarah Cousins
Records manager,
Hampshire Constabulary, Winchester.

After graduating from Portsmouth I started a 13 month SCONUL traineeship in the library of the Institute of Germanic Studies, which is part of the School of Advanced Studies at the University of London. This library specialises in German language & literature and is the largest of its kind outside of Germany. The skills that I learnt during my semester in Marburg were key to securing this position for me.

Having successfully completed the traineeship, I was then able to proceed to an MA in Library and Information Studies at Loughborough University, in order to become a qualified librarian. Upon completing my MA, I got a job with Hampshire Constabulary working on an online policy library project. I was also involved in the creation and publication of the Annual Report, Annual Policing Plan and Precept notice, which required computing and proof reading skills. During this time I qualified as a Prince2 project management practitioner.

Information Management is a growing area in all public sector organisations, particularly with the introduction of the Freedom of Information Act. Section 46 of this act requires each organisation to have a Records Manager. This post was created within Hampshire Constabulary and I am the first incumbent of that post. As Records Manager it is my job to try to improve record keeping practices force-wide; oversee the continued development of the Central Archive Facility and aid with the implementation of new national guidance, such as that which has emerged following the Bichard Inquiry. All of these involve awareness raising and a strong educational aspect. I have found that the experience I gained at Portsmouth University in giving presentations has proved invaluable and I would list that as the most useful, transferable skill I have.

BA (Hons.) Languages and European Studies
Francesca Harrison
Modern Languages Teacher

I am currently at the University of Portsmouth studying for my PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate of Education) in Modern Foreign Languages and working towards the award of Qualified Teacher Status in summer 2007.
During my four year degree course in French Studies, I studied a variety of units including Linguistics, French History, Translation as well as the French language aspect. What I really liked was that you learnt such a diverse range of subjects relevant to France and the French-speaking world. I spent my Year Abroad working as a Language Assistant in both a school and college in France. This was such an amazing opportunity to develop my language skills and my cultural awareness of France. It also helped me to develop other skills that are essential for the world of work such as being able to communicate confidently and coherently in the foreign language. By completely immersing myself into the language and the culture I feel that it certainly broadens your horizons.

I had considered for a long time to enter the teaching profession teaching Modern Foreign Languages to Secondary school students, but it wasn’t until I worked as a Language Assistant that I was certain that teaching was what I wanted to do. The degree that I chose put me in good stead for the world of work it developed my presentational, people and ICT skills that are important to me as a future teacher. Also, during the second year we had a specific careers unit that allowed us to become familiar with the careers centre at the University that has advisors to point you in the right direction for future career aspirations and we also had speakers come and talk to us about writing the ideal CV and how to stand out from other candidates, which I feel is very important especially when there is such competition in getting graduate jobs.

BA (Hons.) Latin American Development Studies
Jake Moreland
Field Officer for the United Nation High Commission for refugees,
East and West Timor.

The last thing I wanted to do after A-levels was start a university degree! I simply threw a few things into a rucksack and began exploring. After a year traveling and working in South America, I became fascinated by everything the region had to offer: vibrant cultures, fantastic music, extreme geography, exciting histories, magical literature and uncertain futures. When I saw the University of Portsmouth’s course in Latin American Development studies, I had to do it- especially since the third year would be spent in Latin America.

The highlight of the degree was my year in Guatemala working with refugees. I set up a position for myself through a small aid organization based in London. I was sent to the northern jungle region of Guatemala where I spent a year living alone in a village over seven hours’ walk from the nearest town with electricity and a phone! My job was to accompany the return of refugees to the village and monitor their reintegration into Guatemala at a time of heightened political tension.

Since leaving Portsmouth, I have been working as a field officer for the United Nation High Commission for Refugees (UNHHCR) in West and East Timor. It isn’t quite like Latin America but many of the issues are the same; indeed the skills from Latin American development Studies are as useful here as they were to me in Guatemala.

BA (Hons.) Applied Languages
Louise Penson

I chose the Applied Languages degree course because of the range of interesting options it offered, not least the opportunity to study for TEFL certification. I was 34 when I started my degree and in fact it was interesting to note that out of all the language courses on offer at Portsmouth, this one attracted the highest number of mature students.

If you are considering attending university as a mature student I would say JUST DO IT! When you are used to working 37 hours a week, meeting impossible deadlines and juggling several projects at once it's easy to see how well equipped for university you are! Study methods obviously need to be learnt but you are given a great deal of help and encouragement in that area. In addition the tutors respond well to mature students whose experiences often adds a new dimension to class discussions.

For me the best part of studying at the School of Languages was the international atmosphere. Portsmouth attracts many foreign students and the air is thick with conversations carried out in all manner of languages. It's so easy to meet and make friends with students who are native speakers of your chosen language so that you can put into practice all that you have learnt in the classroom.

Furthermore, I enjoyed learning all about the countries whose languages I was studying. Understanding their culture and how historical events have shaped people's lives gives you a greater insight into their character and behaviour.

I now work in marketing for a computer software company who provide risk management solutions to the telecommunication and financial sectors. Our customers are based all over the world so the ability to speak other languages has proved really useful, both in targeting new business and dealing with existing customers. At university I took an option entitled 'Iberian Business Studies with Marketing' and that has obviously come in very useful in my current job.

BA (Hons.) French Studies
Darren Davey

My decision to enrol on the French Studies undergraduate course at Portsmouth was arguably one of the easiest decisions I've made to date. Academically, the degree programme itself was universally recognised and respected for its contemporary approach to learning and the quality of the teaching staff. Through the options offered, the course gave me the opportunity to mould my degree to suit my interests, being Modern French Politics and European Economics. Studying aside, Portsmouth also offered the kind of social life that I sought.

Studying at the School of Languages, you can't help but enjoy the multi-cultural atmosphere. The opportunity to further your language skills is omnipresent. Moreover, in terms of my personal development, I have never learnt or enjoyed myself as much as during my year abroad. I met great people from all over the world, and many of them remain close friends.

After graduation, and having made the decision to look for jobs with French as a major requirement, I found a weak job market initially hampered my efforts. However, after a couple of months, and a four-stage interview process, I got a job in investment banking for Morgan Stanley, where my language skills were a definite plus in helping me to get the job. Moreover, there is definite scope for maintaining and developing my French, as the role will increasingly involve exposure to, and involvement in, French market practices. I would definitely advise future graduates to make that extra bit of effort that, ultimately, puts into practice the skills acquired at Portsmouth, and enables them to use their language skills.

BA (Hons.) French Studies
Helen O'Neil

I graduated from Portsmouth University in July 1999, with BA (Hons) French Studies. A week after graduating I went to work in the accounts department of P & O Portsmouth Ferries, dealing with their pricing as I'd worked there during the summer of my third year after my year abroad.

We dealt with not only the UK prices but also those for France and Spain, and I was asked to laise with the French accounts team on all levels. At P & O I found that I was using my computer skills, picked up from all the assignments over the 4 years at uni and the dissertation , more than my French so it was time to move. I was lucky enough to be hired by a firm of local solicitors who have a French team dealing with French conveyancing

We have 4 French Lawyers who are headed by a French Notaire, who is also a honorary Consul for the Portsmouth Area. Having followed economics, history and politics during my course, learning the French jargon was easier than it might have been. I've been here a year and half now, and I use my French every day, either in correspondence or on the phone. The translation and grammar skills I developed at Portsmouth Uni now come into practice almost on a daily basis.

BA (Hons.) European Studies
Karen Heard

After graduating with a first in European studies from the University of Portsmouth, I went on to successfully complete a 6 month traineeship within the Directorate General for Agriculture of the European Commission in Brussels. I am now in the process of writing my PhD thesis at this university in the area of European public policy.

I can but highly recommend the European Studies degree. It provides students with an excellent multi skill set with which to effectively analyse the various European institutions, actors and interests intermediating within and around the European Union, and the often complex decision-making processes. The combination of modern languages, European history, economics, comparative public policy and law (depending on the options chosen) equips students with a sound foundation whether it be leading to further academic studies or the start of a career in the broad political domain at either the local, regional, national or European level.

I can only wish prospective candiates for the European Studies degree the same happiness and academic success that I enjoyed on this course.

BA (Hons.) German Studies
Melanie Wilcox

I started a sales job directly after graduation - this was a stop gap really until something better came along. This lasted approximately 6 months.

In January 1996 I started a job at Anite Systems Ltd (AKA Cray Systems) where I was brought in to be on secondment to First Choice Holidays. My main duties included fixing system problems, investigating issues, training users and coordinating developments and bug fixes on their ATOP reservations system. A degree was required to be considered for the interview. Starting salary £13,000.

This contract with First Choice was for a one and a half year duration after which I returned to Anite, working on the helpdesk and supporting and developing another product within the company range. My salary had increased to £17,000 at this point. I was however not satisfied with this re-direction of my career, so when the call came in from First Choice eight months later offering me a management position within their database department, I jumped at the chance.

My responsibilities at First Choice were: the loading/support and development of their long haul products and brochures with a team of five reporting into me. Starting salary £20,500.

After one year at First Choice I successfully applied for the Systems Manager job with Virgin Holidays Ltd. The starting salary was £30,000 with a car and benefits. I now have a department of twelve people working under me. I am responsible for all loading/support and development of all the systems in use with Virgin Holidays Ltd. This is my current employment and I definitely see this as a career for life.

BA (Hons.) German Studies
Diane Brown

Since graduating in 1995, I have been employed by Corgi Classics Ltd in Leicester, manufacturers of diecast model vehicles (yes, the Corgi cars we all know from our childhood!) firstly as an Export Sales Administrator then since September 1997 as an Export Sales Executive responsible for Belgium, Holland, Germany, Italy and Switzerland, although in practice I deal with all our distributors worldwide. In terms of German: We attend the Toy Fair in Nuremberg every year and I visit our German distributor about 3-4 times a year. I use my German language almost everyday plus some (Belgian) French.

Obviously the International Trade section of the degree has proved very useful, for example within the first few months of my work I was called upon to write a contract for our distributors, something we had covered in the law part of the course. Funnily enough International Trade was my least favorite element at the time - I much preferred politics, history and language. Membership of the Institute of Export gained through the completion of the International Trade course looks good but in practice costs a lot - around £65 - and I do not need to call upon them for any information as they are not as up to date or efficient as government agencies/trade desks etc.

I have definitely found my niche in export sales and apart from being a very good career, it gives me a great deal of personal satisfaction with people all over the world and who use languages daily.

BA (Hons.) German Studies
Felicity Langley

I have definitely found my niche in export sales and apart from being a very good career, it gives me a great deal of personal satisfaction with people all over the world and who use languages daily.

BA (Hons.) Latin American Studies
Matthew Ellis

Since graduating in Latin American Studies in Portsmouth I have been working in IT for the past 4 years. Firstly for Compaq and then for the last three years for an Airline IT company called SITA. They supply Network solutions for most of the Airlines in the whole world. This may not sound like it has much to do with my Degree and a lot of the time it does not. However I first got into computers because of the Spanish Language skills I had gained whilst studying Latin American Studies. My first work with SITA was as a Coordinator of Airport IT surveys in Latin America. I had to regularly communicate with Different countries in Central and South America, whilst also Flying out to Brazil for meetings. Since then I have become a project manager and the latest project I am working on has been for Cubana Airlines the National Carrier for Cuba!

I have realized since being away from University how important Spanish is. So many people think it is a good thing I speak Spanish and I find it so useful in my job. Latin American Studies has also proved to be important as far as understanding the way Latin Americans work and conduct business. It is so different to the way that people work in Europe and also different from Asia. Having worked in these environments as well since leaving Portsmouth, I find it fascinating to see how so many different cultures have to work in the same way, in the Airline business.

BA (Hons.) Latin American Development Studies
Claire Smitherarm

Since studying for a degree in Latin American Development Studies (1994-1998), I've worked in a variety of roles where my knowledge of development issues and Spanish have been of enormous benefit. Admitting to being a linguist in the workplace often results in being called upon to be an impromptu translator and interpreter in the most unlikely of situations! I believe that the ability to speak a language also enabled me to take on a lot more responsibility than I would have envisaged. For example, whilst working at the Royal College of General Practitioners International Department, I found myself managing the Latin American healthcare projects because I was the only person who could speak Spanish! More recently, I worked as Health Recruitment Advisor for Voluntary Service Overseas - an international development agency that sends skilled and experienced volunteers overseas.

BA (Hons.) Spanish Studies
Garin Rangwala

Since graduating in 1995 in Spanish Studies I have done a Newspaper Journalism (NCTJ) course at Sheffield College which I completed in February 1996. I then did various bits of work experience with local newspapers and other jobs until August 1996 when I went to Jamaica for one year to teach at Black River High School in English and Spanish under the BUNAC Programme. This was an excellent experience and had given me the motivation to make a career out of teaching. I returned to o late to start my PGCE in Modern Languages in 1997 so I spent a year doing various jobs in the South East and a TEFL course, followed by a spell of managing a fast food restuarount in the U.S. I have now completed the first year of my two year PGCE course and have spent the last ten weeks learning French at the University of Perpignan. From September I will be going into secondary schools to do teaching practice.

BA (Hons.) French Studies
Dave Warne

My interest in travel and global issues began before my French Studiescourse, but it really developed during my four years at Portsmouth. Aroundthe core subjects the course offered a suitably wide range ofcomplementary options to fuel my interest. I chose the West Africa andEuropean Community options which enabled me to appreciate the globalcontext in which France exists and gave me the option to spend my yearabroad in Senegal. Not only did this allow a unique insight into Africaand issues facing the developing world, but living there also allowed meto develop the confidence to deal with a diverse range of people fromwidely differing backgrounds. During my course at Portsmouth I also beganto develop three key skills that I rely heavily on in my travel industrycareer:- report writing, chairing meetings and preparing and runningtraining courses.The experience I gained in West African earned me my first travelindustry position, running the Africa Desk at STA Travel. My jobinvolved advising and arranging travel for independent travellers (wheremy 'on the ground' experience in West Africa was invaluable) and assistingother STA Travel staff in marketing, training and other activities. I havestayed within the travel industry ever since: I am currently CommercialDirector at WEXAS - The Travellers Club, with overall responsibility formaximising revenues for the company through negotiation with airlines,hotel and car hire companies.

BA (Hons.) Languages and European Studies
Jessica Lowe

I graduated from the University of Portsmouth in July 2002 with a 2:1 in Languages and European Studies. I had spent the third year of my course in St Petersburg and then Dakar (Senegal), both of which were amazing experiences which I will never forget. I have always been interested in international development and whilst living in Dakar did a placement with Catholic Relief Services. I wanted a job which would enable me to work in international development even though my degree was in European Studies and I continue to have a real interest in EU issues.

In July 2002, I moved to Leicester and joined international development organisation Skillshare International as the Organisational Communications Officer. Skillshare works to reduce poverty, injustice and inequality in Southern and East Africa and Asia by placing international volunteer development workers, securing financial resources and running a Leadership Development Programme.

Earlier this year, my role became broader and as Communications Manager I took on responsibility for our web site, media relations and PR as well as internal communications. I work with people from all over the world and have travelled to Lesotho, Mozambique, Norway, South Africa, Swaziland and Uganda to organise conferences and visit programmes. The job is challenging and enables me to continue developing my skills. I do not use my languages every day, but they have been useful. Together with voluntary work in development education, I believe it was my experience of living in Senegal and working at CRS that really helped me to get this job. The European Studies course is great because it is flexible and allows you to tailor your studies to your own interests. For example, having spent 6 months in Dakar, I took the France and West Africa module in my final year. I think the course gives students a lot of useful knowledge and transferable skills and I would highly recommend both the European Studies course and the year abroad experience.

BA (Hons.) European Studies with French and Spanish
Mary Robb
Library Executive, House of Commons Library

After gradating in 2000, I moved to London and worked as an Administration Assistant for the European Children’s Trust- an international development agency working to help families and children in Eastern Europe. Although my role was primarily an administrative one, I also got involved in translating brochures and leaflets into French and editing an in-house newsletter. I also represented the organisation at a European Parliament conference on the Stability Pact, which was an opportunity open to me because of relevant knowledge gained through my European Studies degree.

I really enjoyed my time at ECT, but due to financial reasons I was forced to look for work in the private sector where salaries are generally higher for graduates. I found a job with a French Executive Search firm where I worked as a PA in the London Office. The work was interesting, I was able to use my languages and I learnt about business in the commercial world. However, after 9/11 business slowed considerably and I started to think about what I really wanted to pursue career-wise, as I couldn’t see myself staying in the private sector long-term. I went to see a careers counsellor who helped me to consider which projects or tasks I had most enjoyed during my academic and professional life, and I realised that I was drawn towards academia and research-based roles involving information searching and advising others.

I decided to embark on a MA in Information Services Management - and it was obviously the right choice for me as I graduated with a Distinction in 2003. During my MA I was able to develop my interest in politics and Africa (initiated during my year out in Senegal whilst studying at Portsmouth), and my MA dissertation looked at the development of the internet in West Africa. On completion of my MA I applied for a job with the House of Commons as a Library Executive, and after a gruelling interview process and months of security checks, I started work.

I have been here at Parliament for a year now and I am really enjoying the work and the opportunities for career development that are on offer. My job involves indexing parliamentary questions and other parliamentary material and answering queries from journalists, other organisations and the general public about the history and the business of the House of Commons. I am also the subject specialist for indexing parliamentary material on health. I am currently undertaking my Chartership qualification for Library and Information Professionals, and soon I will be starting a secondment to the International Affairs and Defence Section within the House of Commons Library, where I will be working directly with European Union Material.

Overall, the knowledge I gained during my European Studies degree has prepared me well for the world of work, and I have found that interviewers have been especially interested the time I spent in Spain and Senegal whilst studying at Portsmouth University. Languages have been an asset throughout my career to date, and although I haven’t necessarily needed them in order to get the job, they have certainly opened up new opportunities for me which I wouldn’t otherwise have had.

BA (Hons.) European Studies with French and Spanish
Pascal Saintôt JONES

After graduating in 2002 in European Studies degree with French and Spanish, I proceeded to go and work in France as a ‘lecteur d’anglais’ at the Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour for a period of two years. This had been facilitated, as during my year abroad I had spent one semester at this University, had made the relevant contacts and knew how to approach the administration.

It had remained my intention to return and do an MA in European Studies at the University of Portsmouth; moreover, a purposeful ‘gap’ of two years was particularly useful – personally and academically. When I returned in 2004 to start the MA, I was more than keen to get back to some vigorous reading – so much so that I earned a ‘distinction’ for the MA overall! I have more recently applied and been short-listed to do a five-month traineeship at the European Commission in 2006 to consolidate upon my existing knowledge; further on down the line, I fully intend on working in Brussels – either for one of the EU institutions or a lobbying organisation. I am equally investigating the possibility of doing a doctorate at Portsmouth.

I can only but commend the BA and the MA European Studies courses. The unique interdisciplinary framework of languages, politics, economics and area studies gives you the liberty to focus upon your own interests whilst simultaneously providing an impressive grounding in key historical and contemporary European affairs. The language acquisition achieved during the integral year abroad has opened up many more opportunities – especially for working in an international environment such as Brussels. The human and professional skills acquired during both courses have proved to be most transferable and particularly desirable from an employers’ perspective. If anybody is considering either of these courses, my advice would be – do not hesitate!

BA (Hons.) European Studies
Christine Kriza

I graduated in European Studies with English as a foreign language, BA (Hons) in 2003. During my degree I spent four months volunteering for an NGO in Dakar. While working in Senegal I gained an understanding of the importance of community participation in HIV/AIDS programmes. At the same time I had the opportunity to do research for my dissertation on the ‘Assessment of the EU’s HIV/AIDS policies in Africa: the case of Senegal’. After graduating, I worked in a number of (sometimes boring) fixed-term jobs and went on to do an internship at the European Commission’s DG for Development in the area of social and human development where I was particularly involved in policy work on HIV/AIDS and gender issues. I then went on to study for an MSc in International Health at Queen Margaret University College in Edinburgh and have recently started to work as an Assistant Health Advisor on a short-term contract at the DfID’s Central Research Department.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my undergraduate studies and believe that the opportunity to go to Senegal has enabled me to gain important work experience that helped me to do work in an area I’m really interested in.

BA (Hons.) Combined Modern Languages
Melanie Teijido-Diaz

I have always had a passion for languages and my degree at Portsmouth reinforced it even further. What was brilliant was the mixture of language, history and culture that made up the degree. I studied modules from European philosophers to Latin American history; and enjoyed every minute of it. When I left Portsmouth, I was not sure what to do and started working with Ryanair at Stansted Airport. I found that because of my languages, I 'moved up the ladder' quickly, and my linguistic skills were used every day. Then life changed for me, as I had my daughter in 2004. It was on becoming a parent that I considered a career in education. I had always wanted to teach English as Foreign Language abroad, but as I was settled with a child here, I decided to put my passion for languages to good use in this country.

I am currently undertaking my PGCE in Modern Foreign Languages, to teach French and Spanish, and am due to finish this year. I know I have made the right desicion to go into teaaching, when the students comment after a lesson: " Great lesson, miss!". It is not all rosy, but every day is completely different and you are constantly kept on your toes. What I learnt and achieved at Portsmouth has undoubtedly helped me; I would not be where I am today without my degree.

BA (Hons.) International Trade with English
Florent Coddacioni
Operations specialist for Hewlett Packard, Barcelona

I joined the BA Languages and International Trade as a final year direct entry student in 2004, having completed 30 months of studies at the Ecole de Gestion et de Commerce (EGC), Marseille, France. I wanted to acquire an international profile and improved my English. With Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) and through the exchange organised between the School of Languages and Area Studies and my EGC, I was able to further my ambitions. After graduating, I enrolled in the MA International Business with English at the University of Portsmouth’s Business School. Equipped with a strong international business experience, a good level of English and a sound understanding of inter-cultural business relations, I sought a position with a company working in an international environment. With the knowledge of a third language, Spanish, boosted by a short course in Spain, I found a position with Hewlett-Packard in Barcelona. I am now one of HP Operations Specialist for Hewlett-Packard Europe, managing “end to end” the accounts for one of HP biggest wholesalers in Africa.

This American company understood and appreciated the skills developed at undergraduate and post-graduate level. The skills acquired in Portsmouth, such as the ability to work in a multi-cultural team, to adapt oneself to other working cultures in order to reach common objectives, the understanding of business practices in different cultural contexts and of course the ability to communicate in English, French and Spanish were all invaluable skills for the development of my career.

I am now working in a 12 nationality-strong team. I am in daily contact with colleagues from all over the world. My studies in Portsmouth opened my mind, taught me how to manage projects, and developed a strong desire to work within an international environment. After Portsmouth, I started to think “global” rather than local and that was crucial for securing a position with an international company.

BA (Hons.) French Studies
Kelly Leworthy

I count myself very lucky for finding the job I did so soon after University. I was worried that it would either take forever or that I would never find a job in the languages field. I currently work for a translation company in the heart of London. By some bizarre coincidence, after graduation I was headhunted by a girl working for the company who I’d met on my year abroad in Lyon! So you see, if it weren’t for Portsmouth University and the degree course I chose, I would never have found this job that I now love so much.

My degree was in French Studies and I enjoyed it immensely. I found all the staff very happy to help. They always made time for me, to answer my many questions and give me guidance. Thanks to this course and the staff involved, I was not only able to effectively grasp the language, but develop a more profound appreciation for the culture. My year abroad helped develop this appreciation further and form friendships in the UK, across the channel and beyond, relationships that will forever be close to my heart.

Get Set UP for Life (SUP4L)

The University of Portsmouth is committed to helping students develop the skills and experience they will need after graduation. The SUP4L programme includes a range of activities that you can take part in from day 1, until you leave. For more information on all the activities look at http://www.port.ac.uk/sup4l.

Volunteering: Voluntary work can develop the skills and experience that employers look for. It can provide a stepping-stone to paid experience in an area that interests you. Purple Door Recruitment can help you find high-level volunteering opportunities in the local area. Through the Up for It programme at the University you can work with groups of young people in schools related to sport, art or enterprise; or take part in the Aim Higher Mentoring Scheme to work on a one-to-one basis with young people in schools. The Student Associate Scheme offers our students paid work experience in schools. All these provide an excellent experience for those interested in teaching, but also develop the skills needed for any job.

Work Experience: Whether you are looking for casual work to fund your degree, or experience related to your future career plans the University can help you. Purple Door Recruitment can help you find relevant vacation or term-time employment.

Electives: A wide range of ‘employability’ based electives is available to students across the University which can be taken instead of course related options. These units cover areas such as enterprise; languages; sports coaching and the new Learning through Experience (LiFE).

Careers in the curriculum/Personal development planning: Your degree course will provide the opportunity for you to develop and reflect on the skills you will need both for your course and after graduation. Through Careers in the Curriculum you will also be able to start researching your career goals while you are a student.

Career planning and employer activities: Throughout the year there will be a wide range of employer and career planning events taking place in Purple Door and elsewhere. The Careers & Employment Service can help you research your ideas and plan for your time at University and beyond.

School of Languages and Area Studies

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