When Collette Feagins began exploring majors at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, she knew she wanted to study business and continue learning French. That decision led to a double major in international business and French and ultimately to a full-time role with HUB International secured before graduating this May.
Feagins, a senior from Omaha, Nebraska, will join the global insurance brokerage following her internship as an international intern. In that role, she collaborated with commercial and employee benefits teams, supported client presentations and contributed to insurance solutions tailored to client needs. She also gained experience managing policies, assisting with claims processing and conducting market research to inform business decisions.
“Every interview I’ve had, one of the first questions is about my French major,” Feagins said. “It gives me a chance to talk about a different skill set — how I communicate, adapt and connect with people from different backgrounds.”
Her academic experience included two study abroad programs that strengthened those skills in real-world settings.
Feagins first spent four weeks in Italy through the CIMBA program, completing marketing and business law courses while visiting companies and analyzing international business practices. She later studied and interned in Aix-en-Provence, France, for a semester, where she lived with a host family, took advanced language courses and commuted to Marseille for two marketing-focused internships.
At Au Gré du Vent, a sailboat excursion company, she developed sales presentations and built relationships with local hotels to promote services. She also created bilingual content for TikTok and Instagram and organized digital assets for marketing campaigns.
She also interned with Nushka, a local international artist, where she corresponded with international galleries to secure exhibition opportunities, managed logistics for artwork shipments and communicated with French businesses and American partners in French and English.
Feagins said using French in professional settings pushed her beyond her comfort zone and helped her develop confidence that translated directly to internships and interviews.
“I can say with certainty that I wouldn’t have gotten some of my internship experiences if I hadn’t chosen to study a second language,” she said.
Her experience reflects the growing demand for language skills in the workforce. According to recent labor market data from Lightcast, about 1 in 10 U.S. job postings request bilingual skills, particularly in business and customer-facing roles. A 2019 survey of 1,200 employers by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages found nearly 9 in 10 U.S. employers rely on employees with language skills, and more than half expect demand to increase.
For business students, Feagins said language study builds cultural awareness and critical thinking skills.
“Learning a second language opens doors to new perspectives and ways of thinking,” she said. “It helps you navigate complex conversations and understand people in a deeper way, which is essential in business.”
At Nebraska, Feagins found support in both her academic programs and advising. She credits her academic advisor, Richard Fishler, who is also the International Business Program coordinator, with helping her navigate course planning, study abroad logistics and global opportunities.
“Students who pair business with language study develop a level of cultural awareness and communication skills that set them apart,” Fishler said. “Those experiences prepare them to succeed in global organizations and adapt in ways that traditional coursework alone can’t replicate.”
Feagins said pairing international business with French was one of the most impactful decisions of her college experience.
“Looking back, it allowed me to connect what I was learning in business classes to real-world cultural contexts,” she said. “That combination made everything more meaningful.”
As she prepares to begin her career with HUB International as a service specialist, Feagins encourages other business students to consider adding a language to their studies.
“In today’s global business world, it gives you an advantage over thousands of other applicants,” she said. “It shows adaptability, curiosity and a willingness to challenge yourself, which are all qualities employers are looking for.”
