Successful Recent Alumnae Share How They are Using German on the Job

Five alumnae who graduated in the last several years recently joined a mix of students from Montclair and beyond for an online roundtable about careers with German. Working for such companies as DoubleVerify, World Education Services, Wiley Publishing, and Audi’s North American Test Fleet, these alums shared what they thought got them in the door and how they use their German expertise every day. The speakers, who combined their study of German with majors and minors in fields such as Linguistics, History, Communications, and Business Administration, each found excellent positions very soon after graduation although each noted that she did not know exactly what profession she would pursue as a student.

From translating to facilitating communication in multinational teams to helping an AI tool learn to use German and English more efficiently, each presenter highlighted how essential it is that they have this linguistic expertise to thrive in their job. Katie Kreutz, for instance, does a great deal of reading and researching on historical German educational policies in order to accurately assess clients’ qualifications. She has now been promoted two times and become an exceptions specialist, assessing very “niche” qualifications and cases.

The presenters particularly emphasized the power of their study abroad experiences, including one speaker’s Fulbright year in Germany directly after graduation. While studying abroad, they not only boosted their fluency, but also became natural intercultural communicators. One speaker commented, “If you have studied abroad, you just inherently have a deeper understanding of the culture, which is essential to my work.”

As Kim Toich, who works at International Education Evaluation, said, “It is extremely humbling to be placed in another country and not have the fluency it takes to find your way. I have great empathy for clients who are not native speakers of the language they use at work because of my time abroad.”

While one alumna deals with behind-the-scenes verification of linguistic subtleties, another facilitates top-secret communications on high-end research and development, and another helps Western European employees who are hired into positions for American companies ensure that they have the correct supporting documentation for their position.

One presenter noted how her skill and expertise have enabled her to take on leadership positions in her work, and now six years out from graduation, she is finding many opportunities for leadership and mobility, recently leveraging herself into a position as “Verifications Team Lead” in a new company.

The alumnae made specific recommendations: 

1. Remember the famous adage that 80% of opportunities come from networks, and don’t be afraid to reach out. People want to help you succeed.
2. Take advantage of opportunities such as mock interviews at the Career Services office, and do short informational interviews with alumni when you can.
3. Reach out to like-minded Montclair alumni on networks like Linkedin and then search for “German.” Finding a few people with whom you have shared experiences matters more than the quantity of contacts you make. Each speaker welcomed the students present to reach out to them any time.

Each alumna at a point in the conversation mentioned how the interpersonal element of their work is what motivates them. As Kim Toich put it, “Sometimes the work is challenging, but I love knowing that we serve a community of immigrants, and the emotional side of that is so important.” The hour was rounded out with comments from Macayla Mack, a career development advisor from Montclair’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences, who provides information about career services and individual consultations with students shaping their careers. Ms. Mack reminded all present that when looking for positions, students should focus on the transferable skills that are required to excel, such as effective communication and interpersonal skills. She noted, “Employers today want someone who is malleable and ready to learn.” With their multilingual and interdisciplinary experience, often combined with international experience, students open the doors to positions in many sectors where their language skills are greatly valued.