Title of job
Marketing Assistant

Languages studied for A level
Welsh, English & French

Languages studied at university
Spanish

University
UW Aberystwyth

Best thing about the course
Learning the language and taking the year out.

Where did you spend your year out?
San Sebastián, Basque Country

Do you think that the fact that you studied languages helped you to obtain this post?
Yes, although my other skills were just as important. It´s just that my company was looking for a fluent English speaker (Im based in Madrid) and they were finding it very difficult! My office is bilingual, we all speak both Spanish and English, so my fluency in both languages has helped me to settle in and do my work better.

Could you tell us more about the nature of the job outlining main tasks and responsibilities?
I am an administrative assistant, dealing with matters in Spanish and English, and then I also research into new concepts for the company´s sales strategy, checking international news and business trends.

Do you use your languages frequently? If so, in which situations?
Yes, every day at work, orally and in correspondence. At home we speak in English and Spanish. I speak Welsh to my family in Wales and write articles in Welsh for the BBC.

What other jobs have you done since leaving university?
I´ve just finished my PhD in contemporary Spanish literature, I taught English in Madrid (2000-2001), I´ve translated a book and two documentaries from Spanish to English and vice versa and have taught Spanish at UW Aberystwyth (2001-2004).

What is the best thing about learning another language in your opinion?
Getting to know another culture, being able to communicate with people from other countries, and it keeps your brain in shape!

What would you say to those who are reluctant to carry on with their languages?
Keep going, they´re really important. It´s very rare to get a job just because you speak another language, you need lots of other skills and experience to complete your professional profile - in my case research skills, communication skills and journalistic experience. However, if you´re up against another candidate who doesn´t speak another language and you do, then it might very well be the factor that sways your employer´s decision to choose you. An extra language is NEVER a disadvantage!