The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures offers broad and focused instruction in writing, critical thinking, and research. The department helps students develop an understanding and appreciation for cultures outside the United States. These skills are valuable for careers in a wide range of businesses, government, and not-for-profit jobs.

Among 2019-2020 Hofstra graduates who majored in this department, 89% of survey respondents reported that within one year of graduation they were employed and/or attending or planning to attend graduate school. Among those Hofstra graduates who majored in the arts and humanities and who reported salary, the median annual self-reported salary was $41,000.

Examples of some of the distinguished institutions where recent alumni are pursuing graduate studies in French, Italian, Spanish, Linguistics, Education, Law or Business are Brooklyn Law School, CUNY Hunter College, CUNY Queens College, Hofstra University, Lehman College, Long Island University, Suffolk University Law School, University of Colorado - Denver, and Yeshiva University.

Examples of Industries Where Our Alumni are Currently Working:

  • Advertising
  • Business
  • Education (public and private schools)
  • Law
  • Federal and state government
  • Publishing
  • Technology

Examples of Companies Where Recent Graduates are Working:

  • ACLD (Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities)
  • Bellmore Union Free School District
  • Dawn Pipek Guidone & Associates
  • Hofstra University
  • North Shore Medical Center
  • NYC Teaching Fellows
  • PLUS Education
  • Teach for America
  • Utopiat
  • Worldlink Ventures, Inc.

To help prepare students for these many roles, the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures supports numerous activities. Those interested in graduate study may choose to write an honors research essay. The department sponsors events in which professionals and graduates discuss career opportunities and network with students.

Information on various careers that may be of interest to Hofstra students with a major in the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, such as Translators or InterpretersElementary, Middle School and High School TeachersReporters, Correspondents and News Analysts; Travel Agents; Political ScientistsTravel Guides; and jobs in International Preparation, is available in the Occupational Outlook Handbookpublished by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Alumni outcomes data is based on the results of Hofstra’s annual Alumni Outcomes Survey and other reliable sources. Of the 1,425 undergraduate students who graduated between August 2019-May 2020, data was collected via surveys and other reliable sources resulting in knowledge about the outcomes for 69% of the 2019-2020 undergraduate alumni. Salary data is self-reported voluntarily by students and is based upon a 47% response rate for full-time employed undergraduate survey respondents. Salary figures only include annual base salary. They do not include bonus, commission or any other guaranteed compensation.

See alumni outcome reports in their entirety.