Careers in German Studies

German Studies at Rice University focuses on cultural knowledge and critical thinking — both linked to linguistic competence — and provides a broad range of career opportunities.

Like many majors in the humanities, studying German culture, history, literature, philosophy and politics is not connected to a specific professional career. In fact, German majors can be found in a wide range of different careers, from academia, law, finance, the arts and medicine to public service, government and international relations. German Studies is an ideal preparation for high-level professional careers in any of these fields, and German majors tend to continue their education at the top graduate and professional schools in the United States and Europe.

The success of German majors in their later careers is not surpring: Employers ranging from law firms to multinational banks and NGOs always view applicants who are able to speak and write in more than one language more favorably than applicants without these abilities. Some international law firms and banks even state categorically that they would not employ people who spoke only English.

But being able to speak and write fluently in another language is only the beginning: A background in German Studies shows to prospective employers that you are flexible, adaptable, and knowledgeable — and that you are able to build lasting relationships with counterparts and clients around the world. Cultural knowledge and critical thinking are of crucial importance in a global environment.

Taught by experts with an international research reputation, majors in German Studies at Rice University will not only be well-informed about German as well as European culture, literature, history, philosophy and politics, but they can relate this knowledge to a global cultural environment and they can apply their critical skills to problems in other fields.