college major

[Apollyon]

I will be intering college soon and I was wondering about majors. I know that I want to get a job in Japan (other than teaching english) but I'm not sure what major would help me.

What kind of majors would help prepare me for the Japanese business world?

 

[MeAndroo]

Umm, how's about double majoring in Japanese and International Business? International Relations tends to be fun as well.

 

[Ewok85]

What kind of majors would help prepare me for the Japanese business world?

Japanese language skills are a must, so that is a requirement. Other than that something business related, asian studies, etc etc. Not that important (its not what you do but where you do it).

 

[chiquiliquis]

I would definitely think about doing a work study or internship in Japan at some point in your education.

 

[blessed]

learn the language, study economics as a major; attempt to get a good job at HSBC in your country, then transfer to japan... I'll meet you there.

 

[Mike Cash]

Get a major in something that interests you. There's no point getting up and going to work the rest of your life in a field you can't stand, just because the money's good. If they money is good and you like it, wonderful.

Get a major in something that will help you no matter what country you're in rather than tailoring it for Japan. You have no way of knowing now how things will change in Japan in the future, whether you'll stay here short-term or long-term, what opportunities will be open to non-Japanese job seekers in the field of your major, and on and on and on.

 

[myrrhine]

internships/jobs = way more important than major. do summer programs. school-year internships. whatever. you can find scholarships out there for most anything if it's not payed (or not payed enough).

and like mikecash said: have fun with it!

 

[Brooker]

mikecash wrote....

Get a major in something that interests you. There's no point getting up and going to work the rest of your life in a field you can't stand

Of course you want to enjoy your work, but it's also important to get some skills that make you valuable. I got a degree in Communications because I enjoyed the classes, but the skills I have now are not so valuable in the business world.

Now I wish I'd gotten a more "heavy hitting" major rather than just doing what I enjoyed because the options available to me now are less than I would like. So, my advice, don't just think about which major you enjoy studying, but also where those skills might lead you in the future.

 

[Ewok85]

internships/jobs = way more important than major.

Yes, I think so too. Get out there and do some work experience, it looks good on your CV later on when you go to get that big job.

 

[m477]

It will be extremely difficult to get a job in Japan right after graduation if you don't want to teach English.

A good option though might be an Engineer in the automotive industry, like mechanical or MSE, I've known quite a few people that have spend time in Japan with those jobs.

Also, top schools and high grades definitely get you more job offers... something to keep in mind when entering college.