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Meet Sarah, Educational Publishing Advisor
- maryhartley19
- Nov 10
- 3 min read
Name: Sarah
Degree: French, Spanish and Italian, Aberystwyth University
How did you spend your Year Abroad?
I spent the first eight months of my year abroad working as an English Language Assistant in Spain. My time was divided equally between a mixed secondary school and an adult language school (Escuela Oficial de Idiomas). I secured this placement through the British Council towards the end of my second year at university.
Following this, I spent two months studying French at an adult language school in the heart of Montpellier, France. During my time there, I chose to live with a French-speaking host family. The woman I stayed with in Montpellier didn’t speak a word of English — nor did my landlady in Spain — which made for a truly immersive linguistic and cultural experience.
Briefly outline your journey from graduation to now.
Overall, I feel very lucky to have worked in varied multilingual roles across several different sectors. My roles have included: Multilingual Customer Service Advisor; Multilingual Account Manager; Freelance Translator (I completed the full translation of a 350-page Spanish-language book into English for a specialised project - without the use of CAT tools or machine translation); Trilingual Marketing Assistant; Tour Consultant; Pedagogical Advisor.
What is your current job? Educational Publishing
What does your current job involve day to day?
Contacting prospective clients to promote educational resources; connecting with the wider language-teaching community via different channels; attending exhibitions and showcasing our products; supporting our existing partners; recommending suitable materials to teachers; writing promotional content for newsletters.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
First and foremost, I would say using my language skills on a daily basis, both internally with colleagues and externally with prospective clients. I also really enjoy meeting MFL teachers face to face at events, and gaining insight into initiatives that are helping to shape language learning today.
What advice would you give to someone interested in this job?
I would say that having previous experience in marketing and/or sales is definitely an advantage. I frequently draw on the skills I developed in my previous marketing-focused role. A strong interest in education is also essential!
How has your languages degree been useful during your career so far?
I didn’t realise it at the time, but studying for a degree in languages naturally fosters the development of transferable skills such as communication, empathy, creativity, and teamwork. It’s deeply rewarding to know I’ve helped bridge a gap - however big or small - through the power of language.
Do you use or practise your languages outside of work?
That’s always my aim! Over the years, I’ve certainly done all of the above to varying degrees. For me, nothing compares to travelling to the country in question and putting the language into practice first-hand. One thing I’m still working on — even after all these years — is letting go of the fear of making mistakes and reminding myself that it’s through those mistakes that we learn and grow.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your career journey?
It hasn’t always been a smooth journey — there have been plenty of challenges along the way. However, looking back, I truly believe that challenges help us grow, reflect, and improve. In 2025, we’re fortunate to be more connected than ever to fellow language enthusiasts, support networks, and MFL communities. Personally, I wish I’d known more about the wide range of opportunities available to me as a linguist after graduation. That said, the growth and evolution of social media channels has undoubtedly made it easier to share expertise and open doors — and I think that’s a change for the better.
Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn here
Thanks very much to Sarah for sharing her journey!
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