Wondering What to Do With Your Degree in Spanish?

Are you studying Spanish and wondering what to do with your degree after graduation?

If so, join us for a conversation with alumni from the Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, in Room 207 of the J.B. Hunt Transport Center for Academic Excellence. Food will be provided.

The speakers, Emily Rodríguez and Abbigail Graupner, will address the opportunities that a language degree offers in a variety of different industries and job markets. They will also help you understand how a language degree is an asset.

Emily Rodríguez works at the Education Department at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art as a Senior Museum Educator in Access and Inclusive programs. In this current position, she works largely with English Language Learners, designing programs that encourage participants to share their thoughts, ideas, and feelings about works of art in the galleries.

These programs provide a unique setting for English Language learners to practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing English while learning about American art, history, and culture. Additionally, in this role, she focuses on the museum's community outreach efforts throughout Northwest Arkansas, collaborating with local organizations, institutions, and community leaders to create engaging experiences. She has also created and facilitated programs for people with disabilities; including Camp Connect, a summer camp for kids with Autism, and Creative Connections, a program for people in the early stages of Alzheimer's or dementia.

Prior to being in Access and Inclusive programs, Emily was in School Programs at the museum for two years working with K-12 students. Emily attended the University of Arkansas for both undergrad and graduate school; studying History, Spanish, and Latin American studies in undergrad and American History in graduate school focusing on the political activism of Latinos in the 20th century.

Abbigail Graupner earned bachelor's degrees in international business economics and Spanish in 2013. She was a response volunteer in Guatemala through Peace Corps. While there, she worked with a team of Guatemalan agricultural extension agents to teach local farmers about sustainable farming practices and food security initiatives.

Currently, she works for Holland Orchids in Guatemala, a company dedicated to the production of cymbidums as a cut flower.