French and Francophone Studies

French is a global language: a recent study suggested that by 2050 French will be the most-spoken language in the world. Looking for a job in the Chicago area? Over 150 businesses are French- or French-Canadian owned, and many more have connections with the French-speaking world. Or perhaps you’d like to live and work in France? French companies employ more than half a million Americans. Choose your career: the more you know about the French-speaking world, the more attractive you are to a wide range of employers.

Language and culture courses in the UIC Department of French and Francophone Studies are designed to move you towards your personal and professional goals. Courses like “French in the Professions”, “Conversational French through Popular Culture and Media,” and “Paris in Literature, Film, and Culture” encourage students to connect with language, culture, literature, and film, and to polish skills like critical analysis, written reports, and oral presentations.

Students majoring or minoring in French may also participate in internships at UIC and elsewhere, including French Peer Tutoring at UIC. We highly encourage our majors and minors to take advantage of one of the many study abroad programs endorsed by UIC. There are programs in Paris, Montpellier, and Aix-en-Provence, as well as in Quebec and Morocco.

We encourage you to think of the study of French as key to your future professional success and invite you to consider becoming a French major, double-major, or minor. French at UIC prepares students for careers in health fields, education (our Teaching of French major prepares students for certification to teach in the state of Illinois), international law, marketing, tourism, and many others.

See how other students found their fit below with this major!

Below is a sample of how UIC alumni have applied their French major to a professional path!

• Academic Advisor, North Central College
• Box Office Manager, Chicago’s First Lady
• Chair, World Languages Department, Harold Washington College
• Education Policy Analyst, Chicago Teachers Union
• Media Associate, Starcom Worldwide
• Senior Analyst, IP Product Strategy and Management, Tethr
• Teacher, Lincoln Park High School

In addition to the foundational set of skills and competencies you will gain in any liberal arts and science major, there are also unique skills and perspectives you gain from your French major. Review the list below to learn more:

• Learn to communicate effectively in written and spoken French in academic and professional settings
• Collaborate with faculty and peers to deepen understanding of the literature and culture of France and other French-speaking nations
• Better understand the origin and significance of cultural differences and stereotypes
• Develop a deeper understanding of French and Francophone history from the Middle Ages to today

There are many workplace settings, industries, and career areas you can apply your major based on your professional interests. Below is a sample list of industry clusters that other French majors have transitioned into professionally. What type of setting or career focus appeals to you?

• Arts, Media, and Communications
• Business and Entrepreneurship
• Criminology and Law Enforcement
• Cultural and Museum Studies
• Education
• Government, International Affairs, and Public Service
• Healthcare, Global Health, and Wellness
• Law and Legal Services
• Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations
• Social Services
• Tourism and Travel
• Writing and Editing