Language learners acknowledge the possibility of employability gains but this is not the main reason for studying languages
A huge 86% of participants in this research expressed an expectation that a language would be helpful to their future career goals. However, in terms of motivation to study languages, the prospect of gaining an employability advantage was less important for these learners than the personal satisfaction resulting from language learning.

Language learners believe that languages promote better relationships with others (individuals and countries)
There appeared to be strong endorsement among par- ticipants for the view that language proficiency facilitates better relationships with other countries. Reasons for studying languages which stress the importance of rela- tionships with people, such as cultural understanding of others, wanting to communicate, meeting people and making friends also featured prominently.

What employers are looking for

A recent survey of employers showed that the most important and sought-after skill in job candidates is the ability to communicate effectively, solve problems and work in groups. These are often known as “employability skills,” the skills that make people effective on the job.

Employers report that over the next decades they will be looking for people with the skills and mind-set promoted by the areas represented in such studies as foreign languages:

communication skills
problem-solving skills
working in teams
research
the ability to initiate and complete complex projects
the ability to move from one problem to another and to change frames of reference
sensitivity to culture and diversity and the increasing globalization of society

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In addition, the Spring 2009 LAN 292 class, Careers in Foreign Languages put together a power point presentations on 4 general topics and several sub-topics called I Love Learning Foreign Languages, Now What Can I Do With It?