2008 Woodie Awards
Panel discusses career paths for Spanish majors
Diana Collazo '09
Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: News
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Despite the stigma that a major or minor in Spanish is solely for those interested in teaching, the Spanish in the Professions panel on Monday, Sept. 24 proved that it is a vital tool in the business, criminal law, and international corporate world.
Twelve guest speakers, whose professions ranged from real estate and marketing to advertising and goodwill services, gathered in the Sunroom to speak on how knowing Spanish has helped them persevere in their careers.
One of the panelists, a marketing and real estate developer, stated that "it is the best time in Philadelphia to be affiliated with Spanish in today's market." He explained that opportunities are abundant internationally and locally when you speak Spanish.
The panel was sponsored by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures. Heather Hennes, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Spanish, coordinated the event and contacted all the professionals that made up the panel.
Panelist Jim Mayrides, a St. Joe's alumnus from the class of '64, worked for a goodwill organization that landed him a prominent position in UNICEF and eventually in the United Nations. It was his fluency in Spanish that allowed him to be sent to various parts of South America on behalf of the organizations he represented. After many years he retired and is currently on the Board of Commissioners for Caln Township.
The panel also discussed the importance of learning about Hispanic culture. Before teaching at Saint Joseph's, Teresa Gimenez, Ph.D., was the account executive for an advertising agency where major television channels such as AMC asked for her help on how to target the Hispanic audience.
Other panelists in attendance were a marketing and real estate developer, an elementary school teacher at a North Philadelphia school, and a physical therapist who is certified as a medical interpreter. All use their knowledge of the Spanish language and Hispanic culture within their everyday careers.
At the conclusion of the meeting, students asked various questions and were able to interact with the panelists. The topic of how to become more proficient in the language was a prevalent one. A junior international marketing major thought the presentation was "very helpful" and that it was "good because they had a lot of different professions." She thought it was interesting that the discussion "was showing that there are opportunities locally."
Twelve guest speakers, whose professions ranged from real estate and marketing to advertising and goodwill services, gathered in the Sunroom to speak on how knowing Spanish has helped them persevere in their careers.
One of the panelists, a marketing and real estate developer, stated that "it is the best time in Philadelphia to be affiliated with Spanish in today's market." He explained that opportunities are abundant internationally and locally when you speak Spanish.
The panel was sponsored by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures. Heather Hennes, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Spanish, coordinated the event and contacted all the professionals that made up the panel.
Panelist Jim Mayrides, a St. Joe's alumnus from the class of '64, worked for a goodwill organization that landed him a prominent position in UNICEF and eventually in the United Nations. It was his fluency in Spanish that allowed him to be sent to various parts of South America on behalf of the organizations he represented. After many years he retired and is currently on the Board of Commissioners for Caln Township.
The panel also discussed the importance of learning about Hispanic culture. Before teaching at Saint Joseph's, Teresa Gimenez, Ph.D., was the account executive for an advertising agency where major television channels such as AMC asked for her help on how to target the Hispanic audience.
Other panelists in attendance were a marketing and real estate developer, an elementary school teacher at a North Philadelphia school, and a physical therapist who is certified as a medical interpreter. All use their knowledge of the Spanish language and Hispanic culture within their everyday careers.
At the conclusion of the meeting, students asked various questions and were able to interact with the panelists. The topic of how to become more proficient in the language was a prevalent one. A junior international marketing major thought the presentation was "very helpful" and that it was "good because they had a lot of different professions." She thought it was interesting that the discussion "was showing that there are opportunities locally."
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