Hello! So I’m thinking of double majoring in English and Asian studies (perferably East Asian) because those are what I am interested in the most but I honestly don’t know what career paths I would go into??? Can anyone suggest possible career paths for these two majors? I am open to anything. Or perhaps similar majors that have better careers?
That sounds like an interesting combination of interests! If I were you and got these degrees, I would probably try to teach English in an East Asian country (assuming you will also learn an East-Asian language as part of the major requirements).
There are lots of career paths, ones that would be related to them (like technical writing, developing narratives for entertainment products, editing, working in publishing, working in marketing, communications, or PR; speechwriting, teaching K-12 English, teaching an East Asian language, international relations/affairs, security studies, etc.) and ones that are not directly related at all (take your pick).
I think the more important question is…what do you want to do? You could do pretty much anything, given a little effort, maybe some additional coursework, or some skills development.
Anything at all that does not require a technical skill. When you graduate, and for decades after there will be jobs available that do not even exist now and that you cannot even imagine.
You can do plenty of careers that involve a technical skill, because not only is ‘technical skill’ a broad area with lots of skills included under that, but you can also learn skills that you wouldn’t necessarily learn in your major simply by opting into other classes.
I was a psychology major in undergrad, and I use many technical skills in my job - statistical analysis, a bit of programming, research (which is actually a collection of technical skills in and of itself), usability engineering, wireframing, and project management, to name a few. Some of those I learned in undergrad; some I learned or got better at in graduate school; and some I learned on the job.
@juillet I should have been clearer about what I meant. When I said technical skill, I meant skills for which you must be credentialed via a college degree, such as nursing and engineering.
Ah, yes! Well, that is very true
Two things you may want to consider. One is the JET program in Japan – teaching English in Japan after you graduate. Another is possibly international law. There are English teaching jobs in China and Korea too. Spend a few years in the Asian country of your choice before going to law school, if that’s your intended path. Also you’ll need a high GPA (3.7+) and a high LSAT. That will get you into a T14 law school with a good Asian law specialty program.
Other possible paths – human rights, immigration issues, working for think-tank in DC, etc.
Take a couple classes (literally) in supply chain/logistics and the world’s your oyster. Otherwise, take non fiction writing, technical/professional writing… On top of your two subjects.
Look into Schwarzman Scholars.
I would get a masters or ph.d if I were you. I have degrees in accounting and management and its tough for me to find full time work.
@bcroger2 That sounds like a personal problem. I don’t know any accountants that have had a hard time finding full time work.
If you learn some coding skills along with that, there are opportunities in AI and computational linguistics for English majors with foreign languages.
On top of what’s already been mentioned - import/export business; tourism (eg, live in San Francisco or NYC or other US city that gets a lot of Asian tourists and … work in hospitality/ start your own small tour company / etc. Or on the flip side, take Americans on group tours to Asian destinations).
Knowing two or more languages and focusing on that can be hugely beneficial in the workforce!!
You could teach one or both of these languages, for English look into journalism or writing, look into government careers, become a translator, etc.