Why do I need to learn a language?
Many companies today are part of a worldwide network with international customers. If you can speak a foreign language, even at a basic level it is a skill that could gain you the position you want.
Why should I do a minor in Japanese?
You won’t become fluent but it will be a foundation to get you to higher levels. After you graduate you can build on your skills by doing further learning or immersing yourself in a country where Japanese is spoken. A minor will start your language learning journey and real life experience polish what you know and add to it.
Why am I not fluent after completing my Japanese degree?
This is the same with all majors. If your major is accounting you will only understand the basics when you graduate. You will gain deeper knowledge when you are out in the workforce.
Is it OK to learn Japanese just because I love it?
If you have a strong Japanese minor you are sending this message out to employers, “This student went out of their way to give extra attention to something they really have an interest in”
A minor can also cultivate different skills and encourage you to think in ways that may seem unconventional in your major field. Unconventional thinking can lead to creative problem solving.
What do I have to offer an employer if I have done a minor in Japanese?
It is nearly impossible to do business without solid intercultural communication skills and at least one extra language. The biggest thing that makes majoring in Japanese so attractive is not those two things. It is the skills you develop while learning a language: critical thinking and reasoning, cultural adaptability, information and trend analysis, good listening skills, language processing and inference speed and skills, powerful short and long-term memory.
In social media and when you have a job in a globalized economy, interconnectedness is rapidly becoming one of the defining characteristics of the 21st century, and by speaking another language, you will be able to access and interact with more communities than you would as a monolingual speaker.
Will going to Japan on a one-year language exchange help me get a job?
Many students go on language exchanges but what you do when you are in Japan will set you apart. “You have to show that you’re aware of the soft skills it has taught you. This could include cross-cultural awareness, maturity and resilience from time spent abroad – and even logical problems,” says Jack Porteuous, language and culture adviser for UK Trade and Investment.
I was better at Japanese a few years ago and am not so good now. Do I tell the interviewer this?
It is best to let them know that you have basic language skill but you need practice and support for the company to get the best out of you.
What major should I do alongside my Japanese minor?
Anything really as long as you are prepared to research the field well. For example Japan is a key player in the export market for fashion. Anyone with Japanese language skills and effective communication with Japanese consumers as well as other business skills or knowledge would be very attractive to an employer.
NOTE: All the information provided above is freely available on the internet therefore references have not been provided.
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