Alumni and futures
We are proud to have a worldwide community of 15,000 graduates in literatures, languages and cultures. Be inspired by their stories, and find out what our Alumni team and Careers Service can do for you.
Meet our graduates: Iskandar Sattibaev

Meet our graduates: Bhavika Govil

Meet our graduates: Francisca Da Silveira

Meet our graduates: Lynn Houmdi

Meet our graduates: Laurie Motherwell

Meet our graduates: Carol Rennie

What can I do with... languages?

Employers love Intercultural Competence.
Studying one or more languages demonstrates that you're a good communicator, a resilient problem solver, and someone open to other cultures and new ideas.
Increasing migration in response to changing global dynamics means that, wherever you are based in the world, the ability to understand and communicate in one or more languages, in addition to English, will make you stand out.
What will your story be?
Sarah Johnston is the dedicated Careers Consultant for the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures.
As your Careers Consultant, Sarah can support you with all aspects of your career planning and decision making.
The Careers Service is here for you both on campus and digitally. It is available to all students throughout the year, including holidays. From CV feedback to interview practice, summer placements to graduate posts, careers fairs to alumni events, the service is all about inspiring futures!
What can you do?
Whatever year you are in, and whatever stage of your planning, the Careers Service website is the best place to start.
Visit the Careers Service website
Record, review and reflect on what you’ve done, and plan your next steps, with the Careers Compass, Toolkits and Student Guide.
Use the Careers Compass, Toolkits and Student Guide
Explore the current programme of live sessions, recorded content, and resources with options for whatever stage you are at - and however you want to engage - in Career Essentials; all easily accessible in one place.
Explore Careers Service Plus for premium content (log-in required). Includes interview & CV software, aptitude tests, career assessments, as well as LLC School-specific resources, Vault and GoinGlobal; invaluable for students seeking international careers.
Explore Careers Service Plus with your secure University log-in
Talk to the Careers Service
During teaching time, Sarah offers in-person Careers 'quick query' drop-in sessions on the first floor of 50 George Square.
In Semester 1 (September to December 2023) the sessions are on:
- Thursdays between 12:15 and 13:45 on 5 and 12 October and on 2, 9, 16 and 23 November
No pre-booking necessary.
The Careers Service also offers:
- 15 minute 'quick query' general information and advice appointments (online and in-person) - no pre-booking necessary
- 30 minute careers discussions - book two days in advance (opens at 8am every day), any consultant, Monday to Friday
- 45 minute practice interviews - book up to three weeks in advance
Alumni support and stories - past and present

From career support to mentoring opportunities, special alumni events and exclusive benefits, the University of Edinburgh's Alumni Services team is dedicated to life-long links with our students. The team is regularly in touch with our graduates, and finding stories about historical students too.
Read an interview with Shirley Pu on the Alumni Services website
Shirley Pu spent four years studying Russian and History of Art and now works for a museum in Hong Kong. She is also President of the University of Edinburgh Alumni Club of Hong Kong.