Portrait of a Graduate
Mr. Patrick Murphy

Every time we talk to undergraduate or graduate students of Spanish, the question comes up: "what can I do with a degree in Spanish." Traditionally, the job market for graduates has been for teaching the language, but this is rapidly changing. With the ever-changing US demographics the need for bilingual-bicultural proficiency is rising. The high numbers of Latinos in every corner of the United States increases the need for professionals to communicate in Spanish: medical doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers, social workers, plumbers: you name it, they need to sell a service, and in order to do so they need to be able to communicate effectively with their clients. Furthermore, with the age of globalization, more and more corporations are on the lookout for near-native employees.

Patrick Murphy earned an A.B. in Spanish as well as three graduate degrees at the University of Georgia: J.D. in 1993, M.B.A. and M.A in Spanish in 1994. Upon graduation he was hired as a Corporate Attorney for the Americas Region (based in Houston, TX) of a French oil exploration company, Compagnie Générale de Géophysique, S.A. and has risen to the position of General Counsel for the Americas.  His job requires that he use his Spanish on a daily basis.  In addition, his knowledge of Spanish has provided him with a strong foundation in other Romance languages.  He has refined his Portuguese skills and has even learned to speak and read French.  In a written communication with Carmen Tesser, his M.A. thesis director in the Department of Romance Languages, he writes: "I have been to Brasil about 7 times this year. Every time I go, I think of you. My Portuguese has gotten so much better than my days at UGA. In fact yesterday I was telling myself how thankful I am that you fueled my enthusiasm for Portuguese." Mr. Murphy's job is not unique in today's globalized world. He has been able to use his language training and put it to use in a business setting. Moreover, his work takes him to such exciting places as Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Lima, Mexico City, and Paris.  I guess the days when English ruled in the business world are over!