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Job outlook for russian language instructors in the United States
Are russian language instructor jobs in demand?
Russian language instructor job and salary trends over time
Russian language instructor jobs over time
Russian language instructor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 270 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 314 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 342 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 352 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 375 | 0.00% |
Average russian language instructor salary over time
Russian language instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $64,990 | $31.24 | --0.1% |
| 2024 | $65,055 | $31.28 | +3.5% |
| 2023 | $62,870 | $30.23 | +4.0% |
| 2022 | $60,426 | $29.05 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | $59,022 | $28.38 | +3.5% |
Russian language instructor jobs by state
Most common states for russian language instructors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 304 | 23% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 140 | 22% |
| 3 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 265 | 15% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 146 | 15% |
| 5 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,070 | 13% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 872 | 13% |
| 7 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 718 | 13% |
| 8 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 624 | 12% |
| 9 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 123 | 12% |
| 10 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 69 | 12% |
| 11 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,084 | 11% |
| 12 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 454 | 11% |
| 13 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 335 | 11% |
| 14 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 608 | 10% |
| 15 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 279 | 10% |
| 16 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 208 | 10% |
| 17 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 77 | 10% |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 96 | 9% |
| 19 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 78 | 9% |
| 20 | Alaska | 739,795 | 68 | 9% |
Russian Language Instructor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of russian language instructor experts
Union University
Macalester College
University of Iowa
North Central College
Kent State University
The University of Vermont
Michigan Technological University
Texas Tech University
Arizona State University
Georgetown University
Middlebury College
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina Asheville
Bucknell University
East Los Angeles College
San Diego Mesa College
Furman University
Cleveland State University
Arizona State University
Loyola University New Orleans
What skills stand out on Russian Language Instructor resumes?
Julie Glosson: -Area of specialization
-Language proficiency
-Work History
-Study abroad/Immersion type of experiences
What soft skills should all Russian Language Instructors possess?
Julie Glosson: -Positive attitude
-Adaptability
-Ability to be a team player as well as work independently
-Willingness to grow and learn from mistakes
What hard/technical skills are most important for Russian Language Instructors?
Julie Glosson: -Language proficiency
-Knowledge of content
-Pedagogical Skills in Language Acquisition
-Professional Development
What skills will help Russian Language Instructors earn the most?
Julie Glosson: -Completed Terminal Degree (professors)
-Publications (professors)
-Other scholarly material (professors)
-Specialization in another area (either professor or K12 teacher)
-State certifications (K12 teachers)
-Other types of certifications or affiliations (either professor or K12 teacher)
Nanette Scott Goldman
Senior Lecturer in the Classical Mediterranean and Middle EastMacalester College
Department of the Classical Mediterranean and Middle East
What skills stand out on Russian Language Instructor resumes?
Nanette Scott Goldman: Language fluency and teaching experience.
What soft skills should all Russian Language Instructors possess?
Nanette Scott Goldman: With a Classical languages major, you learn to excel at clear writing, listening, memorizing, data analysis, critical thinking, promoting understanding across cultural boundaries, data organization, and presentation
What hard/technical skills are most important for Russian Language Instructors?
Nanette Scott Goldman: With a classical languages major, you learn to excel at writing clearly, listening, memorizing, data analysis, critical thinking, promoting understanding across cultural boundaries, data organization, and presentation
Dr. Irina Kostina
Associate Professor of Instruction, The Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Russian ProgramUniversity of Iowa
Division of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures
What skills stand out on Russian Language Instructor resumes?
Dr. Irina Kostina: Traditionally in Russia, we had this very important info in our resume: 1) education, 2) work experience, 3) publications.
Today being the Director of the Russian program at the University of Iowa, I would appreciate my colleagues who have the skills:
Critical thinking, patience, and leadership.
What soft skills should all Russian Language Instructors possess?
Dr. Irina Kostina: Some of the soft skills are listed above. I would add to the aforementioned skills organization, communication, and teamwork.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Russian Language Instructors?
Dr. Irina Kostina: Certifications, computer skills, writing, language, and presentation skills.
What skills will help Russian Language Instructors earn the most?
Dr. Irina Kostina: Unfortunately, everything changed today. Before, degrees were very important, but today the skills are.
Social media marketing, content writing, website development, and so on... will help to earn more money and educational administration.
Brian Hoffert
Associate Professor of Religious Studies and History; Coordinator of History of Ideas; Coordinator of East Asian Studies\North Central College
Religious Studies
What skills stand out on Russian Language Instructor resumes?
Brian Hoffert: Students who are looking for a career that has a focus on East Asia will generally need to demonstrate strong language skills and some kind of facility with one or more of the cultures in that region. I will discuss these two aspects in my responses to the next two questions.
What soft skills should all Russian Language Instructors possess?
Brian Hoffert: I would say that cultural competency (being familiar with one or more East Asian cultures) is the key soft skill that employers would look for. It is a soft skill because it is difficult to "prove" this kind of competency on a resume, though the essential thing that students should consider is literally how much time they've spent in the culture in question. A degree in East Asian Studies will suggest that you have a basic understanding of Chinese, Japanese, and/or Korean cultures, but study abroad experiences demonstrate that you have actually spent time in the culture in question. At North Central, we offer short-term study abroad programs to the region (mostly focusing on China and Japan, but sometimes Taiwan, Hong Kong, and potentially Korea); these are helpful, but two weeks is not enough time to gain real competency. We, therefore, offer many long-term (one or two-semester) programs throughout the region, which will allow students to practice their "hard skills" (i.e., communicating in an East Asian language on a daily basis) but will also help them develop a deeper understanding of the culture. In addition, any kind of employment where one is in contact with one of these cultures is helpful, whether that is doing an internship in an East Asian country or working in a Japanese restaurant in Naperville.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Russian Language Instructors?
Brian Hoffert: Language skills are the other major factor in securing employment in a field that involves East Asia. This can be demonstrated more easily by simply completing a certain number of language courses at North Central (or elsewhere), though learning Chinese and/or Japanese is significantly different from learning European languages because one can attain a high degree of proficiency after four years of college French, German or Spanish, but one may have difficulty reading a newspaper or watching tv after the same amount of Chinese or Japanese study. This is why it is highly recommended that students study abroad as part of their college experience, though to attain even a basic level of true fluency will inevitably require spending additional time in an East Asian country after graduation. Of course, it does depend on what you intend to do with your East Asian Studies (or Chinese/Japanese language) degree. If you want to be a translator, several additional years of serious study will be required, but you can get by with much less for other careers, like working for an East Asian company where a little knowledge of the language and culture may go a long way.
What skills will help Russian Language Instructors earn the most?
Brian Hoffert: This is a difficult question since it depends on what you want to do and perhaps what major you pair with an East Asian Studies or Chinese/Japanese language major. For example, someone who double majors in Business/Marketing and Chinese or Japanese language can make a lot of money working in international trade, etc. Translation can pay extremely well if you get into a well-known post-graduate translation program; these programs are difficult, but there is a high demand for professional translation services, so you can be pretty much guaranteed excellent money immediately after graduation. Of course, you can go to school for another decade, get your Ph.D. and make a decent living as a professor (though there is a lot of competition, so this isn't the safest option--best for those with a true passion).
Dr. Geoffrey Koby Ph.D.
Full ProfessorKent State University
Department of Modern & Classical Language Studies
What soft skills should all Russian Language Instructors possess?
Dr. Geoffrey Koby Ph.D.: For teachers, interpersonal skills are primary in working with learners (and their parents). For translators, interpersonal skills in dealing with clients. For both, organizational skills to manage classrooms or translation assignments.
What skills stand out on Russian Language Instructor resumes?
Angeline Chiu Ph.D.: There's a basket of different skills that are essential for teaching languages, and after some years of teaching (and teaching others how to teach), I am always struck by how some of these skills aren't immediately obvious to the outside observer even though they are as essential as those that are. The skills also all work together in complex ways, and you can't really pick out this or that skill in isolation from the others.
For instance, you need excellent interpersonal communication skills. This might seem obvious - you are teaching languages! - but being able to understand a language's grammar yourself and use it yourself is a world different from being able to explain it clearly to learners and help them use it. You also need to be able to instill a sense of purpose and vision: why are we doing this, in addition to how? This will be different depending on the group whom you are trying to teach (elementary? adult learners? I teach college undergrads myself), and it is incumbent on you as the instructor to lead from the front and demonstrate why language learning is important ... and fun!
You also need a good grasp of the culture and history of the language that you are trying to teach. Languages don't exist in an antiseptic bubble of grammar rules and vocab words. They are part of the human experience, and we have to remember that. At its best, language learning builds bridges among different communities and individuals; it can enrich our understanding of our own culture and those of others, and communication is absolutely key to every other human endeavor that involves other humans ... and that's just about all endeavors.
In that vein, if you will indulge a little digression: I'm very interested in translation, and I recently got together with a colleague in Japanese with similar interests. We did a little series of lectures/workshops about the issues of translating world literature from an original language into another one (say, Dante from 14th c. Italian into contemporary American English). To be an effective translator, you need to know much more than "only" the nuts and bolts of grammar and such. You need to be able to call on a personal skill set of many humanities/liberal arts and even social sciences competencies, from history to sociology to anthropology to linguistics to so many others. This is even more pressing in the world of real-time live interpretation work at, say, international conferences and such. Mistranslations or misunderstandings could have serious real-world consequences.
Having some travel experience also helps, along with a sense of always being a learner and a sharer and an explorer of the human experience, even when - especially when - you are the instructor. A little humility goes a long way, and attitude counts for a great deal.
What soft skills should all Russian Language Instructors possess?
Angeline Chiu Ph.D.: Communication, communication, communication. All kinds of communication, be it clear, lucid speaking (whether one-on-one, in small groups, or in large groups), good concise writing that isn't full of jargon and excrescences, or even the seemingly simple but absolutely crucial everyday interactions with the people around you. They can make or break a work or school environment. I don't mean mere etiquette. I mean building a real sense of community and human connection as a base for all the other things the school/company/etc. is trying to do. What can we do that robots can't do? Be human beings in communication and community with other human beings.
Another note on communication: we have all seen situations in which garbled announcements or backtracking/confusing directions have caused all kinds of problems then and later. Focus, clarity, and efficiency in communication are key. And look people in the eye.
Related to this is, of course, the ability to work with others in all kinds of different settings and configurations. Collaboration and cooperation are essential, but they too rest on a foundation of clear communication.
The ultimate soft skill, though, is a little harder to quantify. I'm talking about learning how to learn. Life comes at you fast, at work or school or home, and the ultimate human skill is adapting to situations as they arise and being able to pivot, be flexible, be resilient, be creative in responding, and be able to do all that while remembering that we are working as humans with other humans, and there is much we do not know, and much we do not know as well as we ought to or think we do. Patience, grace, empathy, humility are part of the equation.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Russian Language Instructors?
Angeline Chiu Ph.D.: What I tell you today might not be applicable tomorrow! Tech changes so fast. The best thing I can tell you is to keep current on what's going on. Also: don't be afraid of new things. At the same time, remember that something isn't automatically better just because it's new. Perhaps the real skill I'm describing is figuring what is useful for your purpose and what isn't, and don't try to apply every single shiny new tech toy that comes along. And for goodness sake, be careful about data and security and those basics that you think everyone knows but so many people don't.
What skills will help Russian Language Instructors earn the most?
Angeline Chiu Ph.D.: Learn how to learn. This will apply everywhere. And have the gumption to think for yourself. But in terms of sheer dollar signs, I can't really tell you because the job market is constantly changing, and that kind of volatility is part of life. If you want to snag a job with a good salary in any field at any time, it's not only the world of narrow technical skills that you need. Those skills will constantly need to be updated and retrained as tech changes, and it's changing so, so fast. Besides, remember what I said earlier about what we can do that robots can't. Work on the fundamental and eternally applicable human side skills and competencies that come from liberal arts and humanities, the lessons and enrichments of languages, history, archaeology, literature, theatre, music, the arts. Be a complex, resilient, constantly learning individual who can apply themselves in many ways, including ways we don't know yet will be necessary in a world of ever-changing jobs, of jobs soon to arise that don't exist yet. You are not a faceless cog in a machine. You are a human being with a heart and mind of your own.
Dr. Maria Bergstrom
Academic Advisor:Humanities and Modern Languages, Lecturer: Writing and Literature, Humanities Internship CoordinatorMichigan Technological University
Department of Humanities
What general advice would you give to a Russian Language Instructor?
Dr. Maria Bergstrom: Even in the remote work and online world, I think networking remains the most critical skill for job-seekers. You can send out hundreds of resumes online, but it's the personal connections and hard work of meeting people and sharing your story with them that will get you a job (and later, a promotion). Students now need to learn how to use online resources (like LinkedIn or alumni databases and networking opportunities offered by their college or university) to connect with people in the field or industry where they want to work.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Russian Language Instructors in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Maria Bergstrom: I think those working in communication will be doing even more with analytics to understand how users and customers are interacting with their content. Some understanding of data--what it can and can't tell you, will become even more critical as we can gather ever more data about users.
What skills stand out on Russian Language Instructor resumes?
Dr. Ashley Voeks: If a language instructor is applying for a teaching job, work experience, not skills, are the most important part of their resume or CV. If a language instructor is looking to branch out and find an industry job, "skills" are only relevant if and when a resume gets past an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) and into human hands. In my experience, an ATS is only likely to let an applicant's resume through if it is properly formatted and tailored to the job ad. When an ATS scans a resume, it looks for the skills and years of work experience listed in the job ad and automatically tosses it if certain skills seem off, no matter how much they "stand out." In short: the skills that make a candidate stand out are the skills that the employer wants and specifies in the job ad itself.
What soft skills should all Russian Language Instructors possess?
Dr. Ashley Voeks: All of them. The trouble with soft skills is that they're not really resume showstoppers. Anyone can say that they have good communication skills, a sense of creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, etc. The time for a job seeker (language instructor or otherwise) to really wow a potential employer with their soft skills is during the interview or in an anecdote in the cover letter. The bottom line: all soft skills are important, but showing a potential employer how you developed them is key.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Russian Language Instructors?
Dr. Ashley Voeks: In terms of non-teaching jobs for former language students and instructors, of the clients with language backgrounds that I've personally worked with, hard skills/technical skills varied the most from one job seeker to the next, depending on their second major and/or minor in college, as well as the internship opportunities that they'd had during their studies since an internship often requires a student to acquire one or several hard skills that they would not have otherwise needed. That said, the hard skills that stand out in my mind are sales (toward the top of the list; very transferable), UX (User Experience, designing products that give a meaningful and relevant experience to users by considering emotions, attitudes, etc.), video production, AI, Blockchain (a transparent ledger; stores encrypted blocks of data), project management, affiliate marketing, and mobile app development. These are just some hard skills that come to mind - there are many more!
What skills will help Russian Language Instructors earn the most?
Dr. Ashley Voeks: Clients and recent graduates who have negotiated "high" salaries in entry-level positions have been able to speak to their communication, collaboration, and self-management skills but have also had some technical competencies from internships or online boot camps and workshops. High-earning skills include web design, graphic design, online course content creation, project management, UX design, IT support, coding, Blockchain, social media marketing, etc. Almost all these skills can be gained through certificate-granting online courses.
Lorena Cuya Gavilano Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Spanish and Latin American CulturesArizona State University
Languages and Cultures
What skills stand out on Russian Language Instructor resumes?
Lorena Cuya Gavilano Ph.D.: It depends. First, for K-12 instructors, native or high proficiency is a must. Candidates that stand out are those that have deep translingual and transcultural competence. Resumes and letters of intent that stand out typically demonstrate interactive and real-life experiences such as community outreach, study abroad, or virtual international experiences. It is very important to demonstrate experience and personal skills reaching out to and interacting with communities that speak and produce the target language and literature. Why? Because teaching languages and literature is not just about making sure that students understand (decode) reading and aural materials. It is necessary to immerse students in different ways of feeling and thinking. Second, for college-level instructors, resumes that stand out demonstrate organizational and communicational skills. It may seem natural that a language and literature instructor knows how to communicate well. Yet, communicating well may not be the strength of many job seekers. Leaving aside the research skills required in many of these jobs, colleges and universities are looking for candidates with some administrative/organizational experience, proving that they can be creative and make projects a reality.
Moreover, resumes that stand out tell the story of a candidate that is not only knowledgeable in the subject matter but is also a good team player. Being a good team player implies that the candidate is a good intercultural communicator and emotionally self-aware. Today, language and literature classrooms require more interdisciplinary and collaborative work. Therefore, experience in interdisciplinary projects is a plus. Furthermore, colleges and universities are trying more and more to incorporate a professional outlook into their language courses. For these reasons, experience and/or training in second languages are becoming a more prominent requirement for many jobs. At the college level, the perfect candidate demonstrates not only a good research record and agenda; the perfect candidate possesses knowledge of digital humanities, course professionalization, and community outreach experience.
What soft skills should all Russian Language Instructors possess?
Lorena Cuya Gavilano Ph.D.: I mentioned some soft skills in my previous answer, but translingual and transcultural competence is necessary for effective communication and work collaboration. Transcultural competence requires understanding racial, ethnic, gender, age, disability, and structural issues in the workplace. It not only helps to avoid and resolve conflicts. Transcultural competence also helps to promote compassion and empathy. Translingual and transcultural competence are the foundation of work ethics. Furthermore, from year to year and from semester to semester, any instructor faces new protocols, new strategies, new pedagogical technologies, new teams, etc. Thus, the ability to adapt is another must.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Russian Language Instructors?
Lorena Cuya Gavilano Ph.D.: Hard skills for languages and cultures are somehow flexible. Instructors need to know about new pedagogies, digital humanities, educational technologies, and social media literacy. But all these requirements change very fast, so instructors should evidence knowledge of all these hard skills and the ability to adapt fast to new ones. The present pandemic had demonstrated how most instructors quickly adapted to new virtual classrooms. We ought to always be ready for any change. For this and other pedagogical reasons, adaptability is one of the most needed values in language education.
What skills will help Russian Language Instructors earn the most?
Lorena Cuya Gavilano Ph.D.: It depends on the individual ranks. Tenure-track professors, for instance, will need to prove research skills in the form of publications and grant applications in addition to other forms of educational engagements. However, something common to all language and literature instructors from K-12 to higher education is creative abilities to generate projects with students and projects within and surrounding communities. These skills can guarantee salary increases by the end of each year.
Francesco Ciabattoni Ph.D.
Professor in Italian Literature in Georgetown College, Interim Director of Global Medieval StudiesGeorgetown University
Italian Department
What skills will help Russian Language Instructors earn the most?
Francesco Ciabattoni Ph.D.: The ability to understand the world we live in and the world we come from. That is the best way to live a fulfilling life and earn money, respect, and happiness.
What soft skills should all Russian Language Instructors possess?
Francesco Ciabattoni Ph.D.: Communication skills, problem-solving skills, work ethic, flexibility, and interpersonal skills. These are all the result of a well-rounded humanistic formation, on which Georgetown University places great emphasis. Our goal is "Cura Personalis": the education of the whole person.
Ryan Kaveh Sheldon Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of English and American LiteraturesMiddlebury College
Department of English & American Literatures
What skills stand out on Russian Language Instructor resumes?
Ryan Kaveh Sheldon Ph.D.: Within literary studies departments, hiring priorities vary across institutions and fields. Some universities and colleges-and thus, their language or literature departments-will prioritize research, while others will privilege teaching experience. Still others, like Middlebury, are interested in teacher-scholars who are committed to innovative and engaged pedagogy as well as active research programs. Across these contexts, committees will favor candidates who are able to explain how their own research and teaching programs align with institutional missions and departmental needs. This demands more than a careful reading of a job ad or detailed research on the department-it requires that a candidate think critically and reflexively about their own work. Equally crucial is the ability to communicate the insights of that body of work to a wide audience, including members of the discipline who work in different fields, as well as outside faculty and administrators who may not be familiar with the common vocabulary of the discipline.
The foundations of successful job candidacy are the applicant's research and teaching profile. Committees want to see that a candidate has an interesting project that is public-facing-usually in the form of published articles and conference presentations. They also want to know that the candidate has a sense of how the project will develop and change. To do that effectively in literary studies, one must be a capable researcher who is versed in the broader trends that define field-specific scholarship, as well as an excellent writer. Proficiency in digital humanities methods and/or archival research is also highly valued (and increasingly so).
What soft skills should all Russian Language Instructors possess?
Ryan Kaveh Sheldon Ph.D.: Similarly, teaching experience is important. I began teaching during my first semester as a Ph.D. student and designed my own courses throughout my graduate career. That experience proved crucial to my job search-it allowed me to talk concretely about my approaches to different courses, and it enabled me to effectively propose courses that I hadn't yet taught. Teaching itself requires softer and more technical skills: you need to be practiced in public speaking, time management, organization, critical thinking and problem solving, and interpersonal communication; you also need to be proficient in word processing, data entry, document design. The pandemic has only heightened the need for familiarity with learning management systems, video recording programs, teleconferencing, and social media.
Finally, it is increasingly important (and rightfully so) for scholars and teachers to demonstrate how their research and teaching practices line up with broader initiatives to create more just institutions. We have witnessed an efflorescence of youth- and student-led organizing around racial justice (and policing in particular), ongoing settler colonialism, economic inequality, and climate catastrophe. My view is that faculty-thus job candidates-across disciplines need to be able to match student energy on these frontiers whenever possible.
What skills will help Russian Language Instructors earn the most?
Ryan Kaveh Sheldon Ph.D.: Faculty salaries vary widely and are (unfortunately) pegged to academic rank and job security. There are many brilliant researchers and teachers who are meagerly compensated for their work. This has to do not with their individual merit-without their hard work, universities and colleges would not run-but with the employment structure of (most of) higher education in the US and the pivot to adjunct work in particular. The best way to ensure that academic workers and staff are well compensated is to organize and pursue collective bargaining and governance.
Dr. Richard Langston Ph.D.
Professor of German, Director of Graduate AdmissionsUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures
What skills stand out on Russian Language Instructor resumes?
Dr. Richard Langston Ph.D.: To be qualified for a university lectureship in German that is advertised through the usual channels-the MLA job list, the Chronicle of Higher Education, etc.-candidates usually are required to have a Ph.D. in hand. A lectureship usually means that the job in question is a teaching job, not one that requires scholarly output, though that is probably of consequence, too, depending on the employer.
This means that candidates have extensive teaching experience that spans foreign language teaching to teach content courses for undergraduates. A candidate has proof that they have excelled at teaching (e.g., stellar student evaluations). It means that the candidate has worked with a variety of textbooks, is capable of designing attractive course syllabi and effective lesson plans, and can work effectively with colleagues. The person understands and can succeed at attracting students to the program on account of their teaching.
Regine Criser Ph.D.
Associate Professor of German, Chair, Department of Languages and Literatures, Director of First and Second Year Academic SuccessUniversity of North Carolina Asheville
Department of Languages and Literatures
What hard/technical skills are most important for Russian Language Instructors?
Regine Criser Ph.D.: At this point, being familiar with Zoom and/or google meet is critical. Knowing how to leverage those and other online platforms for student learning is a tremendous benefit. If a candidate can indicate that they have experience teaching online or at least an awareness of the best practices of online teaching, that would definitely set them apart.
Hiram Smith Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Spanish and LinguisticsBucknell University
Department of Spanish
What skills will help Russian Language Instructors earn the most?
Hiram Smith Ph.D.: The skill that will help you earn the most is recognizing that you may be able to negotiate a slightly higher salary than the one offered. This is especially the case when you have more than one job offer. Do not be afraid to ask if your prospective employer can match or beat a competing salary offer. If you seek a university position, ask for Startup funds to conduct research, go to conferences, etc. Other things you can ask for are a free parking permit, teaching materials, ample office space, or other practical things that you may otherwise have to come out of pocket for.
Diane Renée Mannone
Associate Professor of EnglishEast Los Angeles College
English Department
What skills stand out on Russian Language Instructor resumes?
Diane Renée Mannone: The ability to teach close reading and critical thinking are vital, especially when helping students develop their unique voices, as well as the ability to construct engaging courses adaptable to all learning styles. Teaching argument is also key.
What soft skills should all Russian Language Instructors possess?
Diane Renée Mannone: Working well with colleagues: collaborating, being a team player, involved in the department and campus, etc.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Russian Language Instructors?
Diane Renée Mannone: Technical literacy and the ability to teach in myriad environments with diverse students.
What skills will help Russian Language Instructors earn the most?
Diane Renée Mannone: All of the above.
Dr. Pegah Motaleb
Associate Professor- English and PATH CoordinatorSan Diego Mesa College
School of Humanities- English Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Russian Language Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Pegah Motaleb: It's hard for me to answer this question because I am not an expert on job markets and I am not really studying and watching it closely. I am an English professor with a doctorate in Educational Leadership, so the general job market has not been the focus of my research or studies. However, with that said, I do read and keep up with studies and literature that overwhelmingly support that the job market values and needs graduates with some kind of Humanities degree or background. Specifically, you can find more details of what I mean by reading this 2019 report called Amacad. Specifically, if you look under the Workforce portion of the report, you will see several trends. Keep in mind that the trends are pre COVID-Pandemic, but what stood out for me among the many statistics is this one:
Over 84% of all workers with a terminal bachelor's degree in the humanities reported they were satisfied with their jobs in 2015, while 90% of humanities majors with an advanced degree expressed satisfaction.
So to go back to your question about what I think we'll see in the job market given the pandemic is that we'll see a lot of graduates who are yearning for some kind of joy, happiness, and healing in their lives...some kind of satisfaction...some kind of fulfillment... while at the same time getting their basic needs met (housing, food, health care, etc.).
In addition to this report, I would like for you to also highlight the information shared in these articles. All point to the need for Humanities in STEM related disciplines, especially healthcare. I want to emphasis healthcare here because as the nation watched, our healthcare system was not prepared for the tragedies of this pandemic. Thus, as these articles point, a healthcare professional with a Humanities background can contribute to this industry and improve its shortcomings to better serve the country.
One year, in my English literature class, I had a veteran student who was an English major. I asked him why he chose English as a major, and he said my passion is playing video games and I want to have a career to which I develop video games. He then said developing video games requires an English background because he has to develop a plot, characters, setting, dialogue, etc.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Russian Language Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Christopher Blackwell: It has always been the case that no one can study in college for their future job. When I was in college, the sentence, "I write games for phones," would have been gibberish. As we look forward, we need to make sure that our students are as broadly flexible as possible. We cannot send students of literature out into the world without technological skills. We cannot send computer scientists out into the world with no understanding of humans in society.
What Russian Language Instructor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Christopher Blackwell: A super-productive gap-year would include some customer-facing retail or service experience (waiting tables, bartending, barista, checkout clerk), a course in statistics if the student didn't pick that up in college, and a course on some programming language.
What general advice would you give to a Russian Language Instructor?
Christopher Blackwell: The pandemic has also highlighted the importance of the social sciences. Although a vaccine didn't emerge from the social sciences, insights from such disciplines are critical in constructing vaccine rollouts and other socially-acceptable policies that account for human behavior. The social sciences, including economics, will also help rebuild our communities in more sustainable and inclusive ways in the post-pandemic world. Young graduates entering the workforce that understand human nature and can critically evaluate policies and procedures from a social scientific perspective will be invaluable to employers for their ability to think technically and creatively and account for social norms and human behavior. More generally, creative and innovative thinking and the ability to be flexible are imperative. These things are a core part of any liberal arts curriculum. Graduates should emphasize these liberal arts skills in addition to technical career training.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Russian Language Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Frederick Karem Ph.D.: I think the pandemic has posed significant challenges in physical presence in the workplace due to safety concerns. Still, it has also highlighted the increasing importance of the knowledge-based economy that does not rely exclusively on in-person work. While I'm sure that we all look forward to returning to our offices, restaurants, and other brick-and-mortar locations, I think that, for now, institutions will be seeking to fill critical positions that are mobile, flexible, and can be completed remotely if possible. Graduates will need to be ready to show how the skills they have learned can translate, if need be, into a remote environment.
What skills stand out on Russian Language Instructor resumes?
Frederick Karem Ph.D.: I think transferable skills are essential. Critical thinking, working cooperatively, analytic research skills, and clear, persuasive communication is vital in our modern workplace, whether in-person or remote. Because our economy is global and multicultural, I think graduates who demonstrate the ability to work with a diverse range of people will have an extra edge as well. Lastly, graduates need to show they have learned how to learn. Every institution has a slightly different way of doing things, so a graduate needs to show that they can adapt to that work's specific needs as they apply for positions.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Russian Language Instructors to find work opportunities?
Frederick Karem Ph.D.: I think that large, diverse urban areas are rich in opportunities for the private sector, public, and non-profit work alike. I would encourage graduates to look beyond the coasts, which are often expensive and saturated with job-seekers. Many of the so-called "flyover" states (and yes, I'm thinking of Ohio here) have vibrant communities, innovative institutions and are much more open and accessible than some of the marquis cities graduates first think of as prime destinations for employment. I'm not from Ohio, and I had never visited Cleveland before applying for a position here 20 years ago, but I kept an open mind, and I was so glad I did. I've loved working at CSU, and Cleveland has been a wonderful place to live and raise my family.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Russian Language Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Karen Adams Ph.D.: When talking about skill sets, the humanities and social sciences discussion focus on critical thinking and research skills. And in sociolinguistics, there is a field called Computational Sociolinguistics, and many students work with Twitter, Twitch, and some form of multimodality, so that is a career trend that could continue.
Hillary Eklund Ph.D.
Associate Professor of English and Department ChairLoyola University New Orleans
English Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Russian Language Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Hillary Eklund Ph.D.: Well, the job market has shifted a lot since March. We've seen this, above all, in the service sector. But I expect things will continue to change in the long, slow recovery ahead. That means that candidates with flexible skills--like critical thinking and communication--and the capacity to learn new things will be at an advantage, as they will keep up with changing demand. Another thing we're seeing is growing pressure on businesses to be socially responsible. Candidates with strong social awareness and ethical reasoning skills will be able to help build that infrastructure.
What Russian Language Instructor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Hillary Eklund Ph.D.: A lot depends on what a person wants to do after the gap year. Some may seek internships or training to develop better credentials for the fields they wish to enter. Others might be looking to set aside some money for grad school. Others might seek personal growth through travel, volunteering, or learning a language. I don't think you can waste time unless you're not curious and not learning new things.