What career I can choose if I learn Korean?

Korean (South Korean: hangugeo; North Korean: chosnmal) is an East Asian language spoken by approximately 77 million people, of whom 5.6 million regard Korean as a Heritage Language. It is the official and national language of both North and South Korea, with different standardised official forms used in each. It is a recognised minority language in Jilin Province’s Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture and Changbai Korean Autonomous County. It is also widely spoken in Sakhalin, Russia, and Central Asia. The term “Korean” comes from Goryeo, which is thought to be the first Korean dynasty known to Western nations. Koreans in the former Soviet Union call themselves Koryo-saram and/or Koryo-in (literally, “Koryo/Goryeo person(s)”) and speak Koryo-mal. Korean is the 13th most commonly used language among the 3000 currently in use. Languages that lack their own alphabet and characters are known to have merged or vanished over time.

Korean language experts can look for jobs in Translation, which involves working with documents in at least two written languages, such as textbooks, instruction manuals, and newspaper articles. Translation is a profession that appeals to everyone because it allows them to work remotely and on their own schedule (freelance basis). Translation is a highly competitive and dynamic job that works best when one chooses to specialise in a specific domain (law, science, medicine, education) in order to target a specific niche. Avid travellers often find success as translators in the foreign country where they live.

You could also consider working as an interpreter, someone who works with at least two spoken languages. An interpretation job, unlike a translation job, is critical, time-sensitive, and less flexible. In conferences and courtrooms, interpreters must be present in-person with the employer. The most popular type of interpretation is simultaneous interpretation, in which a language is decoded as it is spoken, as in the case of UN interpreters. You are considered skilled if you are able to smoothly convey the words and personality of the person for whom you’re interpreting, effectively without being felt around. This requires a great grasp of the knowledge in terms of comfort with speaking, ability to decipher non-standard accents, knowledge and presence of mind, to find apt and equivalent expressions across languages, on the spot. Interpretation has less competition due to excellence needed but is an exceptionally demanding and pressured field.

Korean learners can opt for proofreading jobs, working in conjunction with a translator

Before anything is sent in public circulation it is required to be proofread before publishing by a professional. As a proofreader, your role will be to ensure that the translation is grammatically correct and free of grammatical /typographical errors.

Another option is to work as a freelance Korean language editor. In this case, your responsibilities would go beyond those of a proofreader. Your job would be to ensure that the Korean content follows proper syntax, grammar, and flow is proper for the reader to follow.

Multilingual tour guides are in high demand in places such as museums and monuments. If you enjoy interacting with people and learning about different cultures, becoming a tour guide for the town’s Korean tourists may be a position to consider. You could also start your own travel agency or tour operator.

Korean speakers can be accepted as Flight attendants on long-haul international flights where being bilingual in English-Korean pair of languages, has a huge advantage to start in this career! There are many other hospitality positions available at Casinos, resorts or at famous hotels! There are a variety of positions to fill from receptionist to manager, depending on your qualifications and prior experience.

Korean language learners can also opt to work at consulates and embassies as administrative staff. If Korean is an add on to an existing, competitive, appropriate qualification you could apply for a Consul, Ambassador or Diplomat positions.

Learners are advised to bear in mind that these positions accept applicants through a rigorous examination process.

Korean learners who have cleared their C1/C2 with stellar performance can opt to become a Korean teacher in their country of residence or choose to be an ESL teacher, teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in any Korean-speaking country. As an ESL teacher, you would be expected to have great translation and proficiency skills as you would be translating your lessons back into Korean to ensure that your Korean students understand them easily. Besides, you’ll also have to speak Korean in the teacher’s lounge and when you’re not at work.

More opportunities available for a Korean-language learner are working in specialised KPO, BPO as a chat, voice or email support, or to extend support as a voice-over artist to dubbing movies, for commercials and cartoons, be an RJ, or KPop artist!

Learners of Korean could also look at picking up roles such as being a content writer, curriculum designer, instructional coordinators, subject matter expert, a researcher in a variety of domains like social policy, economics, military, technology and culture.

Remember learning Korean gives you potential access to over 70 million native Korean speakers worldwide. Korean culture is known to be one of the friendliest and most respectful cultures in the world. Korea is a major player in the world economy, so if you are aiming for a career that involves Korean, I suggest, go for it! While Korean a great language to learn – it’s also one of the most difficult one to master, for a native English speaker (along with Japanese and Finnish). Besides, there could be another great need for Korean speakers with international capabilities when (and if) NK either falls apart or opens up. So what are you waiting for?

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