I am entering my second year at Emory and have a quick question on the strength of Emory’s English and Japanese programs. Do any of you guys know which one is stronger? For those of you who have majored in English or Japanese/taken classes in the department, was the experience worth it? I’m doing the Econ/Math dual major and want to add on one more major but I like the two equally. If there are any finance people on here, is one major possibly more “useful” for breaking into a high finance field (IB)?
@TheTennisNinja : I want this to make sense (the whole relationship to finance), but it doesn’t. All I could say is that any program associated with the English program at Emory is rather elite even at the undergraduate level. If you like them, go for the one that will develop the skills you value the most. if you think writing is something you want to improve on then do that. If knowing Japanese is useful because maybe you want to interact with Japanese firms or the country in certain ways, do that. In the end, it really doesn’t even matter which “major” you add. You could technically major in neither and take the most useful courses/instructors in both and it should pay off equally as you find a way to market and use that experience. I seriously doubt any employer will just be wowed by any double major, especially either of those as the 2nd major. As in they will not be impressed by the additional label on the resume. How you use either in an interview or in preparing applications (like cover letters) for jobs is up to you.
Basically, it is irrelevant. Neither of those majors will function as some enhancement bullet specifically for that. You may need to leave that mentality behind.
@bernie12 I’m not doing it just to wow employers - it’s just that I really like both and am having a hard decision picking one.
@TheTennisNinja : I’m just trying to say that you should literally “follow your heart” on this one. You included the finance angle and that should be removed from the equation as your Econ/math joint major will carry the day in terms of signaling skills specifically for it. It is difficult to directly or indirectly tie these two. I don’t think you should ask for our (or CC’s) advice on this one. Assess the curricula (left over from what you have already completed) and faculty of each as well as any study abroad or co-curricular opportunities associated with them that you may want to do and figure out which one fits. Neither will be more appetizing or technically more “useful” for finance. Figure out which one is more useful for you and your personal/intellectual development perhaps in other facets. I mean do you value becoming fluent in Japanese (I actually do think there is a cool SA opp through that department and maybe the Emory Global Internship could help you turn it into something more “practical”) or do you really want to develop your writing skills/exposure to literature more. The English major, because of the faculty and fanfare associated with it has a thriving intellectual scene (as in speakers and other events) that the department tries to integrate undergraduates into. The programs/associated departments just have a vastly different culture that you may need to feel out if you value that at all (unfortunately, doesn’t seem econ. nor math has a strong/really identifiable undergrad. culture like some other quantitative or STEM fields like chemistry or NBB), because it could effect networking I suppose. Again, you should also feel no pressure to major in either simply because you have time. You can heavily engage in either or both perhaps outside of “major only” courses (which English may have) and be a part of their communities and get the benefits (for example, I think there may be some non-majors who commit to language LLCs as well as others like MLAO).
*Since not many others will reply. I will say that I have yet to see anyone complain about the experience in the English department (I’ve had many friends do it), and it does indeed get lots of attention. One could easily say it is stronger than Japanese as Emory is trying to further develop East Asian language and culture programs. English has already “made it” and the more stable faculty, famous faculty affiliation, and resources reflects this. If you want to choose on traditional metrics of strength and stability at all levels, you would certainly go with English. But again, there may be opps. that Japanese (or REALC) offers that you value more.
@ljberkow : Maybe you have some thoughts on this? I personally would just figure out which one is offers something more stimulating going forward.