Careers

A knowledge of the Classics and of Mediterranean Studies subjects (e.g. Modern Greek and Arabic) is not just a mental eye-opener and an intellectual pleasure. It can also be the start to a wide variety of careers or the door to further studies.

Classics provide invaluable foundations for many disciplines.

  • Most European languages, including English, have been influenced very deeply by Latin and Greek; a knowledge of the Classical languages is a tremendous aid to self-expression in English and opens the door to learning foreign languages.
  • Training in Classical languages is also crucial for theologians and medievalists, and Classical etymology is a life-saver for scientists and medical students.
  • The study of Classical literatures and mythologies are also precious for English literature and comparative literature, as these work with themes and genres largely inherited from the Classical world.
  • Women’s and Gender Studies has, likewise, benefited immensely from an understanding of how social and gender roles were constructed (and passed on) in antiquity
  • Political Science, Education, Philosophy, and Psychology use vocabulary, metaphors and concepts taken from the Classical world, and discuss issues first recognized and examined by classical authors and historical figures.

The study of Arabic…

  • prepares the student for work in political science, in history, in linguistic studies, and cultural studies in general.
  • Furthermore, it prepares the student for a career in the area of interpretation and policy (like international corporate concerns and diplomatic jobs) in this globalized world in which the Middle East plays an ever-increasingly important role.

Modern Greek Studies also equips students to engage in broader studies in…

  • history
  • literature
  • linguistics
  • philology
  • Classics
  • Byzantine Studies
  • Balkan Studies
  • and for jobs that require cultural flexibility and linguistic skills.

The study of Greek (either ancient or modern), Roman, and Arabic civilizations and languages provides therefore an excellent training for many careers and professions. Some students in these subjects go on to further study. The rest find themselves well-prepared for most professional schools and for the job market in the private or civil service sector. They can use their education in any job where depth and analytical thinking are valued: in law, diplomacy, management, government, communications, computing, business, social work, education, publishing, medicine, and other sciences. Employers today are looking for highly literate, articulate, perceptive, and well-rounded candidates; they appreciate the useful, transferable skills that students acquire studying Classics, Arabic, Modern Greek, and Mediterranean Studies in general: training in problem solving, confidence in communication, clarity in logical thinking, subtlety in arguing, ability in memorization, experience in working with complex data, and awareness of different cultural perspectives.