Aengus Port

Studying languages sharpened Aengus’s ability to convey complex information clearly: teaching English overseas then as a flight instructor in New Zealand.

I had a strength and interest in languages, and studying them seemed like a natural choice to me. I was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship to come to Victoria University of Wellington. I had studied French at school and had wanted to learn Spanish for a very long time, so combining the two was fantastic.

Both languages had a variety of learning material, along with supportive tutors and lecturers. Having great classmates also added to the experience of studying, as communicating in another language is inherently a social activity. I enjoyed learning the cultures of the French and Spanish-speaking worlds, as that added context to whatever I was listening to, writing or reading about.

My first foray into full-time work came about when I was lucky enough to gain a position with the English Language Assistant role from the Spanish education ministry. This placement was for recent graduates to go to Spain and spend time in bilingual schools helping teenagers improve their English skills. The role was first advertised to us in a lecture one afternoon, and I was immediately intrigued. The rest is history.

My current job is in a very different field as I am a flying instructor in Christchurch. From a very young age I was passionate about flying but wanted to ensure I had a degree qualification in another field first. Even though I work in an industry that may not use my languages in my day-to-day work, the transferable skills that I developed from my studies were significant. The industry is very dynamic, even at the best of times, so being adaptable is crucial. I have a good understanding on how to break difficult concepts down and communicate these clearly. The writing skills that I developed from the degree were also very helpful, as I am often asked to write a piece for the internal newsletter, conveying something quite challenging, yet critical to understand.

Of course, COVID-19 has been exceedingly tough on the aviation industry, but I am lucky that I am still employed full-time. Let’s hope it remains that way!

No matter what you end up doing, even if the course of study you decide ultimately doesn’t take you down a directly related career path, your world view is opened up by studying languages. The ability to communicate in several languages is a real asset, even if the world is becoming increasingly reliant on English for interpersonal communication. Speaking other languages does set you apart, and it truly does open doors worldwide. You can take the skills you learn with you and combine them with something else to make yourself an even more desirable candidate for your dream job.