Russia’s reemergence as an aggressive power on the world stage has resulted in increased demand for Russian majors and minors.

Russia’s war against Ukraine has sparked a national conversation about the neglect of Russian Studies over the past two decades and the dire need for young Russia specialists. Testifying to Russia's continued importance to national security, the U.S. State Department has designated Russian a "critical need language" and currently offers funding for further study, including the Critical Language Scholarships and the Boren Scholarships. Our graduates find that Russian language skills and cultural expertise open doors to careers in policy, academia, non-profits, business, and the arts.

Career Outcomes Security

Russian graduates can pursue careers in national security with the CIA or FBI; both actively recruit Russia specialists.

As for the private sector, large U.S. banks are increasingly stepping up security around cyber crime originating from Russia.

Career Outcomes Diplomacy and National Service

Several of our alumni, prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion, served in Peace Corps in Ukraine. Peace Corps maintains a presence in countries with large Russian speaking populations, including Armenia, Georgia, and Kyrgyzstan.

Recent Davidson alumni have also taught English as Fulbright fellows in Russia and other countries where Russian is widely spoken, including Ukraine, Moldova, and Uzbekistan.