Globalization, internationalization, localization and translation together comprise the young and dynamic field known as GILT. Job opportunities in GILT have increased rapidly in recent years as more and more companies have looked to international markets for continued growth, leading to an increased demand for localization services. These jobs have increased even as demand for other language-related services has decreased. The following chart shows that the number of localization-related and internationalization/globalization-related jobs listed on a major Internet job search site grew substantially from 1998 to 2002, even as the number of positions for technical writers decreased sharply.

Number of Globalization, Internationalization, Localization and Translation (GILT) jobs listed on a major internet job search site in 1998 and 2002.

Because GILT jobs are often the highest-paying and most dynamic jobs in what was traditionally the "translation" market, increasing numbers of translation programs at universities around the world are realizing that they must equip their students with the knowledge and skills to take advantage of these opportunities. LEIT was established to identify and publicize those university programs around the world that are teaching GILT-oriented curricula.