Why People Want To Learn Russian Language

Russian is one of the six official languages of the United Nations, and the world’s seventh most popular language. Employment opportunities for learn Russian, present in industries ranging from medicine to education. Additionally, such skills can be used in the former Soviet states as well as in Western Europe and the U.S.

Diplomacy, Development and Defense

Many of the opportunities center on relations between Russia, its former satellite states and the rest of the world. Chief among these are jobs with the U.S. State Department and its contractors. The State Department has identified its language as a “critical need” language for its officers.

Such jobs may range from something as simple as translation of documents and assistance with office management in a foreign country to employment as a Foreign Service Officer. Foreign Service Officers live in their assigned country and can work to promote economic development, improve relations, or do cultural outreach. The State Department also employs outside contractors to foster greater understanding between the United States and Russia. Working for a company focused on international education, for example, might require a Russian speaker to set up a student exchange or other study-abroad programs.

Many of the former satellite states of Central Asia still struggle with their human development indicators, with lower life expectancy, literacy rates and per capita incomes than their counterparts in the West. The people who learn Russian language can be useful for program implementation and management in any country in which Russian is spoken, especially in countries such as Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, where the need for development intervention remains high.

Finally, jobs are available with the U.S. Department of Defense for people who know Russian. Russian speakers are useful not only for negotiation and translation, but also to manage the U.S. military presence abroad.

Business

Both Russia and its former satellites possess a reserve of the world’s energy and other natural resources. Russian speakers are in high demand for companies wishing to establish a presence in those countries, especially in the fields of oil and natural gas. Job opportunities are also available for employees of other industries such as IT and telecommunications, banking and the entertainment industry.

Education

A number of job possibilities exist in the U.S. for individuals willing to serve as Russian teachers. Russian is taught at many high schools and colleges. There are also job opportunities for private tutors, for parents who want their child to learn Russian.

Work in the Russian Expatriate Community

There is a demand for Russian speakers in the service industry in areas with a high expat population, such as Brighton Beach in New York and Woodburn in Oregon. In such centers of the Russian population, the same businesses are required as elsewhere in the United States, and Russian can come in handy for jobs ranging from retail manager to wait staff. In addition, Russian-speaking doctors, lawyers and home health aides serve a vital role for non-native speakers wishing to live healthy, happy lives in the United States.