I'm graduating college in a few days, and I'm minoring in Japanese. But, I just found out that I can major in Japanese if I just come back and take 2 more classes next semester. I'm thinking I'll probably do it, because I mean, 2 more classes for a 2nd degree? Why the heck not?

But is a degree in Japanese actually good for anything? I was looking around google and I didn't find any real answers. It seems to me like just one of those "useless" degrees that universities offer. I figure it might look cool on my resume though...

By itself, a major in any language is useless. Any jobs you can get with just a major in a language, you can get without the major. Any jobs which depend on a major in a language depends on something else as well (like interpreters for example).

If you have another major which you can couple with Japanese though, great! Economy, IT... stuff like that. Great asset I'd say.

Why are you minoring in Japanese then ...:S?
And dude, anything that isn't Engineering or Medicine can be dubbed as useless in this world.

If you want to teach Japanese someday, it can be a stepping stone to a higher level Japanese degree.

There are two kinds of language degrees. One can be used for teaching. The other is just a resume padder, in my opinion.

PrettyKitty Wrote:If you want to teach Japanese someday, it can be a stepping stone to a higher level Japanese degree.

There are two kinds of language degrees. One can be used for teaching. The other is just a resume padder, in my opinion.

You pretty much have to have a degree in pedagogy to become a teacher though, at least in Sweden you do.

liosama Wrote:Why are you minoring in Japanese then ...:S?

Haha, because I was taking lots of Japanese classes for a while because I thought that was how you are supposed to learn Japanese. Then I found this site, and AJATT and everything, but I decided to just finish up my minor because it was close to completion.

Yeah, you need some teaching degree or certification here too. Or you can take the "teaching degree" in the language which is much harder. But the major would have you at least that much far along if you wanted to go the teaching route.

Quote:Haha, because I was taking lots of Japanese classes for a while because I thought that was how you are supposed to learn Japanese.

lol, I had someone explain to me that it's impossible to learn Japanese without going to school for it.

Anyway, I'd get the JP major if it's not that much more effort. It falls into the "won't hurt, might help" category. How is the difference between a major and a minor only 2 classes anyway?

PrettyKitty Wrote:How is the difference between a major and a minor only 2 classes anyway?

Well, I've actually taken a few other classes that contribute towards the major, but I didn't really know they were contributing to the major at the time (the Japanese major at my school doesn't exist yet, it's coming next year). For instance, I took a class in Japanese film because it was a way to meet an intensive writing requirement for my first major. I've taken a number of Japanese classes like that for various other requirements that I needed, and a couple just for fun.

Good for anything? Well, it could help get into grad school. I don't see how it could possibly hurt to have it. Sounds like a good opportunity.

i would imagine that it could help you get better pay from jobs such as becoming a cop, joining the army, or FBI.... what is your other major in?

Hashiriya Wrote:what is your other major in?

Accounting.

The usefulness of a Japanese major might also depend on what location you plan on working or how large the company you work for will be. I have a friend who once worked as an engineer for NEC here in California; He said that if you knew Japanese back then you were as good as gold. Not sure if it still applies today, but it certainly can't hurt to have a Japanese major if you work for a Japanese-based company or one that has frequent international dealings.

Accounting and Japanese is a great combination. You didn't mention whether you planned to pursue accounting or not, but I'll assume you do. Some of the big accounting firms have Japan practice groups at their offices outside of Japan as well as offices in Japan (Deloitte Tohmatsu and Price Waterhouse come to mind). I would think that the double major on your resume might just give you that something extra to get an interview. I imagine you'll have more training (1-2 years?) and professional accreditation exams ahead of you as well. So when those programs start might be an issue for you. [But it sounds like you are graduating a semester early anyway].There may be opportunities to do your auditing training at one of their Japanese clients.

Like Dragg mentioned, accounting firms were also headhunting accountants and lawyers with Japanese language and experience. I don't know the situation today. You might want to contact someone in the Japan practice group for some information gathering. Good to start building some relationships too.

You'll want to tailor your Japanese self-study to business and accounting stuff (mmm, so sexy). Also, don't oversell your language ability or it'll be stressful. Recognize that there's a big step between chatting with your coworkers/clients after work and actually being functional in the corporate environment. I think spending a couple of years at the Japanese office of a big accounting firm (assisting on int'l deals) would be great for language and contacts. However, I strongly recommend getting a solid technical grounding in United States before going to Japan. If your early accounting experience is in a second language, you might end up with a less than solid technical foundation.

If that type of accounting doesn't interest you, then something like in-house accountant at a Japanese company in the States (as Dragg also mentioned) would be another route.

And you needn't stay in accounting forever. It's an excellent jumping off point to other pursuits.

And...a final tip: While Japanese can sometimes be that something extra that gets us in the door, be careful in the future not to be gradually pigeon-holed as a language or geographical specialist (unless that's what you want, of course). It's better IMO to be known as a specialist in a particular area of accounting who happens know Japanese language and culture, than a generalist accountant who takes whatever Japanese client walks in the door.

Rather long post, but hopefully of some help. You're at an exciting time - good luck!

Good info and advice guys, thanks.

Whow, do you have any advice about computing and japanese? I'd love that.