Working and living in southeast Asia

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

<p>I just got accepted as a transfer student to Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as a development sociology major. My goal after graduation is to work in either southeast Asia or Bhutan. I'm guessing that development sociology isn't exactly a valued major in that part of the world.</p>

<p>Most people would recommend engineering as a career option, but that just isn't me. I could possibly switch my major to international agriculture and rural development, but that would likely preclude me from getting a minor. Would that be a valued major? Another option would be to keep my current major and pick up a minor in either international trade and development, applied economics, or agribusiness management. Would that be a good idea?</p>

<p>At this point I haven't really decided if I want to work for an american business oversees or try to find employment with a local company over there. Any advice you guys have on potential educational or career paths would be appreciated.</p>

<p>Btw, I am white, male, was born in America, and as of now do not speak a foreign language (I might start Thai or Khmer next semester though).</p>

2

<p>What do you want to do in Southeast Asia or Bhutan? I’m slightly confused why you have decided where you want to work, but not what you want to do.</p>

<p>Do you just want to live there because you think it would be cool? I’m sure you could find a program to teach abroad in the region.</p>

3

<p>Most foreigners in Asia were sent by their companies to go to Asia, and few of them actually asked their companies to send them there. You probably won’t be very successful in trying to find employment with local companies because Asians are already pretty smart and they only hire foreigners, whom they usually pay more, with something special that the local people don’t have. That kind of major probably won’t get you a good job in Asia, so you should only do it if you’re doing some type of social work and don’t mind getting a lower-paying job than most Cornell graduates.</p>