Highly effective language instruction develops a practical skill useful to careers in international business, diplomacy, journalism, and other professions. While learning Russian brings personal and intellectual satisfactions, students are also understandably concerned about career opportunities. Is Russian a marketable skill? The answer is definitely yes, but in an increasingly complex world where demands are constantly changing, it is sometimes difficult to keep abreast of opportunities.

Teaching used to provide employment for the largest number of Russian language majors, and government was the next most productive source of jobs. Today, however, Russian majors have the opportunity to use their language and culture skills in a broad variety of settings in both Russia and the United States. Students go on to work in business as financial and policy analysts for American and Russian companies.

They work for non-governmental organizations, for publishing houses, for the print and broadcast media. They teach in Russian schools, and consult in fields such as marketing, advertising, aerospace, and computer engineering. And, of course, some continue to go on to do more traditional work as teachers in universities and schools, and as employees of the United States government.