Skills Developed through a Linguistics Degree

A background in Linguistics ensures that you develop the skills and mindset to tackle many different professional challenges.

Core Skills

• The ability to think critically and analytically in order to make insightful observations, formulate hypotheses and draw scientific conclusions
• An understanding of linguistic development and how and to what means language is used in contemporary and past societies
• Knowledge of the relationships, similarities and differences between different language groups and dialects
• An appreciation for the complexity of language, how it is acquired and how it develops from childhood to adulthood

Communication, Data Gathering and Organizational Skills

• Deduction of information from various sources and the ability to concentrate on relevant resources
• The ability to organize, understand and analyze sources of information and to apply novel forms of technology or new information to different professional settings and tasks
• The ability to learn new information and apply this to professional demands
• The ability to explain complex ideas clearly to others and to apply complex theoretical concepts to everyday practice and professional dilemmas
• The skills to collect various types of information, assess them, analyze and incorporate potential linkages from different fields, put them into writing and efficiently convey your message and the goal of your work

Management and Teamwork

• The ability to interpret and analyze information presented by peers and efficiently and constructively support or challenge their proposals, theories, ideas and reports in order to achieve a project’s intended and successful end result
• The capacity to lead and interact with a variety of people with different approaches and personal and professional backgrounds
• The ability to debate, persuade, mediate and present your thoughts and opinions to others, as well as the capacity to recognize and incorporate other potential solutions or applications to given problems
• The capability to identify priorities and proper courses of action, to plan the execution of tasks and to determine and delegate responsibilities to group members to most effectively carry out projects

Professional Associations and Organizations

Knowing the industry and how to excel in it after receiving a degree are key elements of future success. University study sets up the building blocks you will need to develop and enhance your understanding and knowledge in your career. Being part of a professional organization or network and gaining further insight through training are excellent ways of increasing your knowledge of the field.

• Canadian Linguistic Association
• Linguistic Association of Canada and the United States
• Canadian Association of Applied Linguistics
• Canadian Institute of Linguistics
• Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
• York University, Linguistics Undergraduate website