Anglist/Amerikanist / Anglistin/Amerikanistin

Information resources are available, such as the film on English and American Studies from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency). Other information resources include AAA - Arbeiten aus Anglistik und Amerikanistik (Works in English and American Studies), American Studies Journal, Amerikastudien / American Studies, DARIAH-DE, Germanisch-Romanische Monatsschrift, Library of Anglo-American Culture & History: Literature Guide, ZAA - Zeitschrift für Anglistik und Amerikanistik (Journal of English and American Studies), and Zeitschrift für Sprachwissenschaft (ZS) (Journal of Linguistics).

The following interests are important and helpful for success in this academic profession. Interests are listed in order of their importance. Activities are mentioned for illustration for each interest area. Interest in theoretical-abstract activities (e.g., analyzing English-language prose texts, investigating linguistic differences in the Anglophone world, researching the culture and regional studies of Great Britain and America). Interest in creative-designing activities (e.g., creating editorial contributions for online and print media or radio, considering the author's expression and style when translating English literature).

Anglicists and Americanists primarily work in offices, in meeting and teaching rooms, in lecture halls and seminar rooms, and in library and archive rooms (for research activities). Additionally, they may also work in a home office or remotely.

Core competencies acquired or deepened during the Studium (university studies) include: English Studies, English, preparing specialist publications, research, linguistics, literary studies, language science. Further competencies that may be significant for practicing this profession include: American Studies, intercultural communication, cultural geography, cultural history, teaching (university), editing, lexicography, literary translation, journalism, research, information retrieval, editorial work, translation, instruction, training (extracurricular), instruction (school-based).

The advancing digitalization of the working and professional world can change task areas and requirement profiles. For Anglicists and Americanists, there may be an opportunity to engage with the following technologies, procedures, or systems: Audio-mining systems (e.g., automatically transcribing and tagging audiovisual recordings for corpus analysis), blended learning (e.g., preparing teaching materials for the combination of virtual learning settings and in-person events), Computer-Aided Translation - CAT (e.g., creating linguistic concepts for the development of CAT tools), digital cultural mediation (e.g., creating and maintaining content for digital mediation methods of cultural institutions), digital whiteboard (e.g., using an interactive, digital whiteboard in training sessions and language courses), document management systems - DMS (e.g., digitally managing manuscripts, text products, and research results), machine translation.

Anglicists and Americanists require analytical skills and a high level of textual and linguistic competence when reading primary and secondary literature and for writing, editing, or translating texts. They conduct thorough research, utilizing specialist literature (partially in foreign languages) from libraries, the internet, or insights gained at specialist conferences. Openness and willingness for stays abroad are indispensable. If they work, for instance, for news or cultural editorial offices in English-speaking countries, this requires intercultural competence. In cultural or public relations work, they contribute, among other things, their communicative skills. Depending on their area of work, they cooperate with colleagues, scientists from other disciplines, editors, marketing, media, or IT specialists, for example, in the development of specialist books or digital learning materials. In this context, they demonstrate, among other things, a willingness to establish contacts.

Anglicists and Americanists can work freelance in areas such as editing, adult education, and public relations.

Due to the broad professional spectrum, no representative salary information is available; please check BERUFENET.

They can work in publishing houses (books, magazines), media companies like radio and television (culture, travel, foreign news), adult education (foreign language teacher at Volkshochschulen), translation and interpreting services, public relations consulting (intercultural communication), journalism (news agencies, blogs, social media), advertising agencies (intercultural communication), and tourism services.

To work in this profession, a completed undergraduate degree (grundständiges Studium) in English or American Studies is usually required. Leadership positions or specialized tasks often require a master's degree (Masterstudium). Activities in science and research frequently require a doctorate (Promotion) or Habilitation.

English Studies, American Studies (undergraduate); English Studies, American Studies (postgraduate)

Anglicists and Americanists can find employment in media companies, communication and translation agencies, educational and consulting institutions, tourism, universities, and research institutes.

Anglicist/Americanist. Professional titles in English: Anglicist (m/f), Anglist (m/f). Professional title in French: Angliciste (m/f).

Some characteristics of work and social behavior are equally relevant for all professions and are therefore not mentioned separately. These include: reliability, punctuality, honesty, ability to criticize, and appropriate manners. In addition, the following profession-specific characteristics are required to practice this academic profession: Willingness to perform and commitment (e.g., willingness to diligently and flexibly prepare and edit manuscripts to meet planned publication dates), conscientiousness (e.g., precise research and evaluation of primary and secondary literature), independent working style (e.g., independent conception and leadership of literary and cultural history events), intercultural competence (e.g., conveying knowledge about literature and culture of the English-speaking world).

Anglicists and Americanists deal with the culture, language, and literature of the English-speaking world. They work, for example, in the media industry, adult education, public relations, or in research and teaching.

German Association of Anglicists, German Museum Association, hueber.de, The Linguist List, titus.uni-frankfurt.de.

Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators (BDÜ), German Research Foundation (DFG), German Society for Foreign Language Research (DGFF), German Society for Linguistics (DGfS), German Association of Anglicists, EAAS - European Association for American Studies Center for USA Studies, Education and Science Union (GEW), ver.di - United Services Union.

Responsibility for people (e.g., teaching and supervising students), screen work (e.g., researching literature, creating reports and publications), frequent absence from home (e.g., conducting on-site research or study trips), work in office spaces (e.g., documenting teaching objectives in terms of quality assurance and reviewing achievements), work in teaching/training rooms (e.g., conducting lectures in auditoriums or seminar rooms for a group).

Anglicists and Americanists can pursue careers in various fields. They can work as teachers or lecturers in adult education, or teach at universities. They can be dramaturgs, work in media production (print, online, multimedia), or be literary agents. In press and public relations, they can serve as press spokespersons or PR specialists. In editing, journalism, and proofreading, they can work as chief editors, e-learning authors, journalists, AI prompt engineers, proofreaders in publishing houses, online editors, or editors. In language instruction, they can be foreign language teachers, and in corporate consulting, intercultural communication consultants. In scientific research, they can work as research associates, leaders of research groups, or scientific staff members.

Research and work documents, e.g.: primary and secondary literature, country-specific documents, textbooks, dictionaries, grammars, specialized journals, manuscripts, literary analyses, teaching materials, curricula. Office equipment, presentation tools and software, e.g.: PC, internet access, telephone, projector, translation programs, Large Language Models (LLM).

Anglicists and Americanists work in various areas. In the media industry, they process texts and develop media products. For example, they create content for online and print media or contributions for television and radio. They can also work in adult education, give language courses, lead events on literature and culture, or offer translation services. In public relations, they write press releases, and in corporate consulting, they maintain international relations. At universities, they conduct research and teach.

Continuing education for adaptation (Anpassungsweiterbildung) helps to keep professional knowledge current and adapt to new developments (e.g., in the fields of history, journalism, cultural management, adult education).

Bachelor graduates can expand their career opportunities through further studies (Studium), for example, in English Studies, American Studies, Regional Studies - North America, or Regional Studies - Europe. A doctorate (Promotion) is generally required for a scientific career at a university; to become a university professor, a habilitation (Habilitation) is usually needed. A doctorate may also facilitate access to higher professional positions in the private sector, in research, and in public administration.

Conveying literature and language; acquiring, reviewing, and making data, documents, and literature usable. Text work. Media, education, communication. In the publishing sector: editing manuscripts; supervising authors; writing articles; developing products. In television, radio: working editorially, e.g., selecting, writing, and editing reports, commentaries, news, etc.; conducting research. In adult education: giving language courses; leading literary and cultural history events. In translation: transferring linguistic content orally or in writing from the source language to the target language and vice versa; evaluating foreign language texts, checking and commenting on original and target texts; post-editing texts translated by machine or LLM. In public relations: preparing press appointments; writing press releases; compiling press kits; maintaining international relations. In art and cultural management: collaborating.

The following additional employment alternatives are available for the profession of Anglist/Americanist: In the field of Art and Culture Management, you can work as a Culture Manager. Common aspects include mediating culture, preparing and delivering presentations. In the field of Tourism, Travel, and Animation, you can work as a Tour Guide. Here too, mediating culture, preparing and delivering presentations are common aspects. These alternatives may require longer training or additional qualifications.

Anglists and Americanists deal with the culture, language, and literature of the English-speaking world. They can work in editorial roles, adult education, translation, public relations, art, culture, and economic consulting, or in academia and teaching. In publishing houses, they support authors, proofread, and edit manuscripts. They may write specialized articles or reports on literary and cultural topics for publishers, television, radio, or other media. For a career in journalism, a traineeship (Volontariat) or relevant practical journalistic qualification is usually required in addition to a completed university degree (Studium). In adult education, Anglists and Americanists give language lessons or design and lead literary and cultural history events.

The following abilities, knowledge, and skills are required for performing possible activities in this academic profession. Verbal (linguistic) thinking (e.g., analyzing and interpreting linguistic and textual forms of expression and means) and the ability to plan and organize (e.g., planning and organizing cooperation with educational and cultural institutions in English-speaking countries) are important. Furthermore, text comprehension (e.g., analyzing and interpreting literary theoretical and literary texts such as dramas, novels, or poems) and written expression skills with spelling proficiency (e.g., writing linguistic, literary, and cultural scientific essays or press releases) are necessary.

The exercise of this profession may entail the following physical requirements. This information does not necessarily apply to every job profile or every professional deployment possibility. Undisturbed speech ability (e.g., teaching and supervising students; discussing research projects in a team), near vision - even corrected (e.g., researching literature online; preparing reports and publications), and hearing ability and speech comprehension (e.g., understanding students' questions) are important. Please note: This information does not form a basis for legal action and should not be understood in the sense of a medical suitability assessment. The actual physical suitability or unsuitability must always be determined on a case-by-case basis and taking into account possible reasonable accommodations.

The following lists professions or activities that show similarities to the original profession. These professions represent a possible alternative for applicants who cannot find a vacant position in their learned profession. Furthermore, employers can consider specialists in these professions as alternatives for filling a job in the original profession. Some alternative professions only comprise partial activities of the original profession, while others require an induction period, which can vary in length in individual cases. The following immediate employment and staffing alternatives are available for the profession of Anglist/Americanist: For professional specializations (usually short induction): Business Anglist. A list of all possible degrees of relatedness can be found on BERUFENET.

The activity as an Anglist/Americanist is not regulated. To work in this profession with a qualification acquired abroad, no professional recognition (Anerkennung) is necessary. However, there is the possibility to apply for an individual certificate evaluation for foreign university degrees by the Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB). This can be helpful for applications in the German labor market. Further information on living and working in Germany can be found on the Hotline Arbeiten und Leben in Deutschland, the information offer of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency), and the Make it in Germany portal.

The following health limitations could lead to problems when performing this profession. This information may not necessarily apply to every activity profile or every professional application. Increasingly, there are also possibilities to compensate for limitations, for example, through technical aids. Speech impediment, speech defects (e.g., teaching and supervising students; discussing research projects in a team). Uncorrectable near-sightedness (e.g., researching literature online; preparing reports and publications). Hearing impairment, hard of hearing, deafness, hearing disorder, chronic ear conditions (e.g., understanding students' questions). Note: This information does not form a basis for legal action and should not be understood as a medical fitness assessment. Actual physical fitness or unfitness must always be determined on a case-by-case basis and taking into account possible reasonable accommodations.

The following alternative staffing options are available for the profession of Anglist/Americanist from an employer's perspective: Teaching at general education schools, Teacher for secondary level I (Sekundarstufe I) school types, Teacher at Gymnasiums (upper secondary schools). Commonalities: Only for English teachers: Imparting language, literature, and cultural knowledge; translating foreign language texts. Note: The mentioned staffing alternatives may require an induction period, which can vary in length depending on the individual case.