Title of job
Senior Sales Representative responsible for Modern Languages

Languages studied for A level
Italian, French and English

Languages studied at university
Italian, Turkish and French

University
Swansea University and University of Kent (Postgraduate translation course)

Best thing about the course
The opportunity to spend one intercalary year in France and then obtained a scolarship to study Turkish at Istanbul University for 4 months.

Where did you spend your year out?
Went to University in Rennes - Universite de Haute Bretagne. As mentioned - also 4 months in Turkey consolidating my knowledge of Turkish.

Do you think that the fact that you studied languages helped you to obtain this post? No doubt about it as the main prerequisite for the job was having a knowledge of Modern Languages.

Could you tell us more about the nature of the job outlining main tasks and responsibilities?
1. Selling publications into schools
2. Attending meetings with the Modern Languages Publishing Department at Head Office to discuss future publishing needs
3. Attending all major Language Shows throughout the country
4. Training new representatives on Modern Languages publications
5. Preparing Modern Languages presentations and also giving presentations at Conferences.

Do you use your languages frequently? If so, in which situations?
When selling in Modern Languages publications it is always useful to have an understanding of the content! With my knowledge of languages other jobs are open to me within the company - e.g. International Sales Executive covering Europe which would require an in depth knowledge of languages - this would be a great job for me when my children have gone off to University!!

What other jobs have you done?
Worked as a P.A.in the Sales Department of Daimler-Benz in the Sultanate of Oman - my knowledge of Arabic came in useful for this as some clients could not speak English. I also had my own company called Multilingual Typing/Translation Services - with a knowledge of languages you can set up your own freelance business.

What is the best thing about learning another language in your opinion?
The best thing about learning another language is that you are able to communicate with people of other nationalities and it enables you to understand their culture better than you would have otherwise.

What would you say to those who are reluctant to carry on with their languages?
You never know when your languages will come in useful. I never thought that Modern Languages would come in useful in a sales environment, having always associated languages with typical careers such as Language Teaching (which I have done), translation & interpreting work (which I have done) but you can combine languages with other skills such as Sales & Marketing - this provides more variety in a career.