Intercultural Communication

Learn to clearly communicate in multicultural contexts, a useful skill in local and multi-national organisations.

Intercultural communication students study the ways in which ideas, information and data are represented, negotiated, and communicated across different languages, cultures and media. They explore how language and culture affect the interpretation of messages. Students explore issues such as global citizenship, identity, conflict, and translation challenges. They learn to closely read and critically analyse content, data, and information on various platforms and channels, collaborate in group projects, and present succinctly and confidently.

Roles and career pathways

Graduates find work in a range of areas that relate to communications, language and cultures.

They may work as international education advisors, recruitment agents, media advisors, policy analysts and researchers in migration areas, as community workers and coordinators, communications advisors, project coordinator or training facilitators. A first step into roles could be in an assistant, coordinator or internship position before moving into more senior advisory roles.

Some graduates develop a career in translation or interpretation, and work for business or international organisations. Higher level language skills and postgraduate study may be needed for this.

For careers in policy and research, study at postgraduate level can be valuable. Complementary study in Commerce subjects such as Marketing, International Business or areas of the humanities and social sciences such as Development Studies, Anthropology can help broaden employment options.

Where Intercultural Communication graduates work

Graduates can work in a wide range of fields and contexts such as government organisations with a national or international focus, non-profit organisations (NGOs), settlement agencies or communications marketing and media in all sectors.

Intercultural Communication graduates may work for organisations such as:

Build relevant skills and experience

Experiences such as internships, part-time work, and volunteering all help to increase career options for graduates. Programmes such as Wellington Plus and Wellington International Leadership Programme (WILP) offer opportunities to gain diverse volunteer and leadership experience. There are a wide range of non-profits organisations involved in communicating with people of different cultures that take volunteers, including organisations such as English Language Partners NZ and the New Zealand Red Cross. Volunteering as the communications, marketing, or social media adviser for a University club will also help you gain relevant communications related experience.

Internships can be offered by media, policy, and social change organisations. The WFHSS Internship course run by the Wellington Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences also helps develop skills and provides practical workplace experience. For more information about internships and how to make the most of your opportunity, see Internships. Current internship vacancies can be found on CareerHub.

Make career connections

Professional bodies provide students and graduates with the opportunity to make contacts, keep up to date with current industry knowledge and learn more about specific areas of interest. Some options include:

Belonging to Wellington Young Professionals, Wellington Chamber of Commerce, university clubs, and writing for student publications like Salient, as well as being part of mentoring programmes such as Alumni as Mentors for final-year students, can all enhance your employability while studying.