Common Careers in this Interest Area
- Foreign Language & Literature Teacher
- Interpreter & Translator
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Instructor
- Writer & Author
- Professor
We live in an increasingly diverse and global society. When you graduate, you need to be "world-ready," not just work-ready. You need to demonstrate flexibility. Versatility. Sensitivity to different cultures and people. The enriched interpersonal communication and relationship-building skills that come from increased cultural awareness. These are traits both employers and graduate school admissions officers want to see. No matter what the field, fluency in cultures and languages outside of your own give you a competitive edge.
Student Experience
Lisa Slippy
Lisa Marie Slippy '12 has long been fascinated by faraway places. Inspired as a child by stories of distant lands, she developed a passion for exploring the world and learning about different cultures.
That fascination became more than a childhood interest. It became the foundation for a career in international education and a life filled with opportunities to experience different parts of the world.
In August 2014, Slippy was preparing to leave for Prague, Czech Republic, for a teaching opportunity. It was the latest chapter in a personal journey that had already taken her beyond the United States and into new cultures.
For Slippy, each new destination brought the opportunity to experience life in another country while pursuing her passion for education and world cultures. Her journey reflects the way an early curiosity about the world can grow into a lifelong commitment to learning from it.
Trina Vargo
Trina Vargo ’85 has built her career around connecting people and cultures across the Atlantic. After earning degrees in Political Science and History from Pitt, she went on to work in foreign policy and develop a deep connection to Ireland.
In 1998, Vargo founded the US-Ireland Alliance, an organization dedicated to strengthening relationships between the United States and Ireland through education, culture and business. She also created a scholarship program that gives young Americans the opportunity to study in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Through her work, Vargo has helped create opportunities for people to experience another country's culture, develop international connections and build a deeper understanding between the United States and Ireland.
Gatumi Aliyu
Gatumi Aliyu ’13 came to Pitt-Johnstown from Nigeria, earning his Pre-Medical degree in 2013 before continuing to medical school at Saba University School of Medicine. His time at Pitt-Johnstown taught him to appreciate diversity and learn from different cultures.
Through Student Government Association, Chemical Society, Tri-Beta and intramural sports, Aliyu met people from different backgrounds and built lasting connections. He especially valued the opportunity to communicate and share ideas with people from different ethnicities, experiences that became an important part of his Pitt-Johnstown journey.