Benefits of learning a Foreign Language
 

In terms of being successful post college, do you all feel that having a second language is a major selling point for would be employers, or is it just icing on the cake?

I ask this because I'm a student at UMass, Amherst double majoring in Japanese and Economics. I've actually been in Japan since New Years studying abroad I will return home at the end of April. My thoughts are that, especially with business, someone who has shown they can master the challenge of a foreign language (especially a difficult one, like Japanese), and has another widely applicable major (Economics) under their belt would be very employable. I don't know what I want to do exactly, but I know I want to make good money and have my options open.

As of now, I'm very good with computers. I could probably get Microsoft 200X and Cisco networking certs with perhaps a month of studying. I've done consulting for homes, small business, and small to medium sized law firms. Everything from setting up exchange servers, windows 2000 domains, PC trouble shooting...I've pretty much seen it all. I am always wondering how that could play into accenting what I'm majoring. I was thinking maybe working for a large IT solutions company, maybe cisco or something, selling their hardware to Japanese companies. Many people have the idea in their heads that Japan is technology advaced compared to the United States...that's only when it comes to cell phones and console gaming. Their business infrastructure outside of Tokyo is mostly unorganized, unsecured, and many large domestic companies still don't have a computer for all of their full time employees. Forget about exchange servers, networks, data back up, etc. I'm 20, I've got another 3 years left in college so it's not like this needs to be decided right away but those are the most recent thoughts im kicking around.

I realize that got kind of off topic in the second part of my post, my apologies in advance.

Any advice/suggestions appreciated.

It definitely depends on the company. My dad travels internationally for his company, so any language skills come in handy for him. Another family friend works for Intel, and it sounds like he does the kinds of things you're looking to do. Intel sends him frequently to Asia. So, your Japanese sounds like a great benefit to the right organization.

Personally, I'm fluent in German, and I believe it always looks good on a resume, if only just as something that sets you apart from other candidates.

Learning a second language probably makes you more attractive to the opposite sex, if not employers. :D
But, that's not really an answer is it?
I would think it would be impressive if you're in a service job. So, you could help customers who don't speak English very well. Also, as maesroxl said, if you have to travel, it's a good idea. And if you know a cool language, it will set you apart (like russian, or german, or gaelic).

My reason for learning languages is for cultural insight, not employment purposes.

Although it does make you look better on paper, you've got to want to do it for yourself.

Arabic next on my list. :thumbsup:

For your purposes, I would have to say that Japanese would go well with an economics degree. We do a lot of business with Japan especially in the computer/electronics market (which you mentioned you want to get into). From a practical standpoint, a foreign language could be useful any day. I just got a new coworker who speaks Portuguese and little English. I'm able to "talk" with her using my choppy Spanish. In college I plan to pick up some German.

I'm going to take some French classes this summer, if work permits. I've got some french ancestry, and I'd like to visit the country with a little skill in speaking the language. i feel so vulgar going to a country with no knowledge of the language.

I'd say it's great to learn a second language, if your first language is not English :)

I agree with everyone else, Its look good on paper, plus theres tons of other advantages

I'm fluent in english and german, and I'm starting to learn finnish

Reminds me of a great joke:

What do you call someone who speaks three languages? Trilingual.
What do you call someone who speaks two languages? Bilingual.
What do you call someone who speaks one language? American.


I plan on taking classes to learn French in the fall, I've been to France once and loved the country, besides you never know when you'll need to communicate with someone in a different language. Having a second language or more can only be a plus, I don't think any business would hold it against you. So I would say go for it, it may not get you a bigger paycheck at the start, but it could allow you to prevail in a future situation and get a promotion/raise. :thumbsup:

Weil Fachwissen ist Kraft! :D

If nothing else, learning a second language will help you process information faster. Language learning is a great "work out" for your brain. You'll find that you can pick up on new ideas faster and with less effort with each language you learn.

An employer who has learned a second language him/herself will find it more important than one who has not. But either way, putting it on a resume will only help.

Well, as far as getting a job and stuff people will always like how it looks on paper.

As far as it actually being worth learning is dependant on what you do and where you live. You should definately look into it if you think you will be doing lots of buisness with Japan. If you live in the middle of the US and have no plans to ever visit another country (other than just a brief vacation) and are not regularly talking to foriegners then I don't see any point in wasting your time with it. Things might be different in a place like Europe, since there are so many different languages within a relatively small area.

The rest of the world is quick to judge Americans on not knowing multiple languages, but the truth is that it simply isn't all that useful in certain parts of the country. I could go learn Japanese, but I doubt I would ever have any long Japanese conversations in my entire life. If its cultural insight you want, you would probably be better off taking a class that deals specificly with culture.