<p>Hi I am an Sophomore student and am doubling majoring in East Asian studies and International studies with a minor in linguistics, I am also studying the Chinese language and plan to spend a year in China to try and get proficient. Learning about China and learning the Chinese language are all interesting things to me however, I am afraid that I will not be able to find a job after I graduate, I wouldn't mind working outside of the US and have applied to some gov't internships. Right now I am wondering if I should pick up a minor in something more practical like computer science or business in order for me to have something to fall back on in case the Chinese doesn't work it. I would be interested in careers like intelligence or gov't or even international business. I am just unsure what to do at this stage and if I will be able to get a job with what I am currently studying.... what do you guys think?</p>
<p>A background in business with Chinese language proficiency would really work in your favor: there is a lot of business contact between China and the US as well as with other Chinese speaking countries such as Taiwan. However, if you would be willing to either teach Chinese to English speakers or English to Chinese speakers, you could likely find a teaching job in either an English speaking or Chinese speaking country with the degree you are currently getting, assuming you had the proper certifications and reasonable scores on the standard proficiency tests. I can’t speak to what would get you a government job using your language skills, but I would think that what you are doing now would be sufficient!</p>
<p>IR (primarily East Asia) is also one of my possible majors, and no matter how passionate, yes, the job choices are limited.</p>
<p>Learning Chinese does help immensely, but do realize that it is absolutely not an easy language- you can learn French and German at the same time. </p>
<p>Also, note that your competition is going to be actual Chinese citizens who are also looking for jobs speaking English. If you throw in an Econ, Communications, Marketing, etc major/minor as well, it would make you 3686x more appealable than that Chinese person. Instead of a linguistics minor (unless you LOVE the lingua) change it to a marketable minor (or major) you’re willing to compromise.</p>