Returned Peace Corps volunteer Ryan Damerow (MA TESOL ’10) recently shared highlights of his two years as an English teacher in China through the Institute’s Peace Corps Master’s International (PCMI) program.
Learning a language can open up a whole new world to people. Many students pursue language study precisely because they want to get involved in making this world a better place. International development has always had a strong pull for language students, offering a chance to travel and experience other cultures while doing good. It is a broad field where one may leverage special interests and knowledge, like health care, law, or business, into a fulfilling exciting career.
MIIS alumni and programs featured by ACTFL
Language skills are key
A recent “Career Focus” feature article in The Language Educator highlighted the importance of combining language skills, experience living and working abroad, technical expertise in areas such as business and public administration, with characteristics such as being pro-active, self-motivated, adaptable and able to embrace the unexpected.
Jonathan Axtell (MBA, '08)
In addition to discussions of the Peace Corps and other international organizations, a significant section is devoted to detailing various Monterey Institute programs and alumni, including a discussion of our unique language offerings by GSTILE Dean Renée Jourdenais, and photos and stories of alumni in the field: Jonathan Axtell (MBA ’08), Ravi Dutta (MPA ’09) and Pete LaRaus (MPA ’04).
The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) is dedicated to the improvement and expansion of the teaching and learning of foreign languages, and has more than 9,000
Ravi Dutta (MPA '09) and Pete LaRaus (MPA '04)
foreign language educators and administrators as members.
The Language Educator is ACTFL’s newest publication; it provides comprehensive coverage of foreign language teaching and administration, and serves educators of all languages at all levels as a single, comprehensive source of news and information.
Copies of The Language Educator are available in the MIIS library, and ACTFL members can read the full issue online.
A recent career fair panel discussion hosted by GSTILE assembled representatives from a remarkable range of professional associations from across the interpreting spectrum.
audience members listen to panel via simultaneous interpretation
Facilitator Jacolyn Harmer, Professor and Program Chair for Translation and Interpretation, noted that
Sometimes we participate in events in our lives when we don’t really fully understand the complete significance of those events. I’m going to suggest that this might be one of them for you, because if you look at this panel, I doubt that you will ever be in a room again with this kind of expertise all assembled at one time.
Representatives from the following organizations shared their perspectives in English, Spanish and French, with simultaneous interpretation into English provided by interpretation practicum students:
Many thanks to the panelists as well as all who organized, contributed to, and participated in this event.
For the first time, an institute-wide career fair was organized by the Institute‘s new Center for Advising and Career Services. The Center, launched last spring, combines the traditionally separate functions of academic and career advising into a comprehensive campus resource intended to ensure students receive a constant flow of support, advice, and training from the day they register to the day they graduate.
Registration & Career Fair Check-In
Ranging from local non-profits to global corporations, participating employers included government agencies such as the U.S. Department of State and the Central Intelligence Agency, private sector leaders such as Apple and Facebook, and NGOs such as Catholic Relief Services and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Employers such as the Defense Language Institute, the Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy, UC Riverside and Monte Vista Christian School were hiring MA TESOL/TFL students and alumni.
“We‘re extremely pleased with this year‘s fair,” commented Institute President Sunder Ramaswamy. “The strong turnout from employers speaks to the value they place on the kind of cross-cultural, cross-sectoral professional skills that Institute graduates acquire.”
Students introduced themselves to employers at booths throughout the conference center‘s expansive Serra Room, learning about job opportunities, dropping off resumes, and setting interview times. Workshop panels during the day featured Institute alumni talking about their professional experiences and offering tips on launching a career, networking, and advanced career strategies. The daylong fair finished up with a networking reception for students and employers.
Monterey Institute community contributions to the Vancouver Olympics have been highlighted in a number of media releases and articles over the past few days and weeks, including one in the Monterey County Weekly.