Careers and opportunities for Spanish and Portuguese students
Spanish and Portuguese majors and minors combine their studies with other areas to prepare for career opportunities in international business, government, travel, health, journalism, law, or communication, where knowledge of another language and other cultures is essential. They also may go on to graduate study in areas such as Lusophone or Spanish and Spanish American literature, Hispanic linguistics, or comparative literature.
Fulbright Program
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is designed to give recent bachelor’s graduates, master’s and doctoral candidates, young professionals, and artists opportunities for personal development and international experience. Projects may include English teaching assistantships, independent research, creative/artistic projects, university coursework or degree programs, training in a music conservatory or art school.
Graduate school
While many of our graduates pursue exciting careers in the private and public sectors, others wish to seek additional training through graduate studies. They may pursue the masters and doctoral degrees in fields as diverse as:
- American studies
- Business
- Communications
- Education
- Ethnic studies
- History
- Law
- Library and information science
- Medicine
- Museum studies
- Political science
- Public administration
- Social work
Careers and opportunities for Latin American studies students
Business and communications opportunities
Sandhill Publishing
Sandhills Publishing is a publication company that distributes print and online materials. It is presently trying to branch out to Latin American countries and has paid internship opportunities and jobs in business and communications that require high levels of Spanish proficiency.
Development, environment, and health opportunities
Mid-Iowa Community Action, Inc. (MICA) (Marshalltown)
MICA serves children and families in central Iowa, offering programs that mitigate the effects of poverty, including Head Start, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Maternal and Child Health, and Family Development. Volunteer and job positions focus on public health and community development.
Peace Corps
US government supports long-term (2+ years) volunteer opportunities in communities in need worldwide.
Princeton in Latin America
Princeton in Latin America (PiLA) partners with NGOs and multilateral organizations and places highly qualified recent college graduates in yearlong service fellowships with nonprofit, public service, humanitarian, and government organizations with a social mission in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Proteus
Proteus provides farmworkers, immigrants, and others with a variety of services that improve their health, education, and economic opportunities.
Young Invincibles Fellowship
Young Invincibles Fellowship provides paid summer positions working to combat inequities in jobs, education and healthcare which millennials (18 - 34 year-olds) face; preference is given to first-generation college attendees and underrepresented students.
Opportunities in education and the arts
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps engages more than 75,000 Americans in intensive service each year at nonprofits, schools, public agencies, communities, and faith-based groups across the country. AmeriCorps programs, including AmeriCorps VISTA and AmeriCorps NCCC, serve their members by creating jobs and providing pathways to opportunity for young people entering the workforce.
CIEE Teach Abroad
CIEE offers paid teaching positions in 11 countries (Chile, China, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Morocco, Peru, Senegal, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, and Vietnam) for university graduates looking to teach English abroad and immerse themselves in a international community.
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Grants support college grads who serve as English Teaching Assistants for an academic year in over 40 countries worldwide.
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)
HACU is an association that promotes the development of member colleges and universities; improves access to and the quality of post-secondary educational opportunities for Hispanic students; and meets the needs of businesses, industry, and government through the development and sharing of resources, information, and expertise. The HACU National Internship Program operates out of the Washington, D.C. office and places more than 450 student interns each year with corporations and federal agencies in Washington and field offices around the country.
Human rights and advocacy opportunities
Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa / Centro de Justicia Laboral del Este Iowa
CWJ is a coalition of community, labor, and immigrant organizations which focuses on just workplaces, affordable housing and civil rights.
No More Deaths
No More Deaths is an organization whose mission is to end death and suffering on the U.S./Mexico border through civil initiative.
RefugeeRISE AmeriCorps
RefugeeRISE provides leadership opportunities to refugees and other individuals by providing opportunities for service and volunteering.
Opportunities in international affairs and public policy
Center for Democracy in the Americas
The Center for Democracy in the Americas (CDA) is staffed and supported by people who love Latin America, who have lived and studied in the region, and who want our country to be a good neighbor. CDA offers a paid, full-time, ten-month position in Washington, D.C. for a uniquely qualified applicant with a special interest in Cuba, a thirst for activism, and an interest in pursuing a professional career in the foreign policy NGO community.
Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR)
CEPR was established in 1999 to promote democratic debate on the most important economic and social issues that affect people's lives. It is an independent nonpartisan think tank based in Washington, DC.
Mexico Solidarity Network
The Mexico-US Solidarity Network organizes for fundamental social change grounded in democracy, economic justice, human rights and redistribution of power on both sides of the US-Mexico border. In Chicago, the Albany Park Autonomous Center is building strong community through innovative education and organizing processes directed by immigrants. In Mexico and Cuba, the Autonomous University for Social Movements (AUSM) provides academic programs, such as study abroad.
Organization of American States (OAS)
The Organization of American States is the world's oldest regional organization. It promotes and supports democracy, human rights, multi-dimensional security, and integral development in the Americas.
Career resources for UI undergraduate students
The Pomerantz Career Center provides high-quality resources and services to students, alumni, and employers. The site has information designed to help you move through the various stages of the job search process, including the Handshake@UIowa website as well as information on upcoming employer visits, internships, and careers after college.
Meet with a career coach
All undergraduates can meet with a career coach to explore interests, skills, strengths, and values as you plan for after graduation.
Participate in a mock interview
Experience first-hand what an interview might be like by participating in a Mock Interview where you can practice interviewing, ask questions about the interview process, and be critiqued by volunteer employers from surrounding communities.
Attend a career fair
Network with employers and learn more about job and career opportunities in a variety of areas right here on campus.
Write an effective resume
Learn the level of detail needed to get noticed in the applicant pool and by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) software, including tips on how to format your resume, effective use of power verbs, a formula for crafting bullet points, and more.
Find or create an internship
We'll guide you through the process of finding an internship, creating your own opportunity, and evaluating internship offers.
Explore majors and careers
Learn more about how your personal attributes impact potential success and satisfaction with different career options and work environments. Or, start by exploring career fields and find majors that align with your interests and skills.