Career Compass: Asian Studies

As an Asian Studies student in the Faculty of Arts, you will explore East and South Asia through the program’s arts, languages, literatures, cultures, histories and religions. You will have the opportunity to learn an Asian language in your second year, or you may choose a language concentration from your first year onwards. Languages taught include: Korean, Chinese (Mandarin) and Japanese.

Program Options

B.A. General: 3 years

Skills you will gain by studying ASIAN STUDIES

• A working knowledge of one or more Asian languages (writing, speaking, reading, listening and translation).
• The ability to interpret another culture’s way of thinking and the ability to mediate between cultures and languages.
• The ability to critically evaluate text, media and other cultural forms and independently research new areas of information.
• Knowledge of intercultural communications.
• The ability to effectively communicate: verbally through discussions and presentations, and in writing by preparing reports and papers.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements: ASIA 1420 and ASIA 1430

To do this year:

1. Know the requirements for your degree. Meet with an academic advisor in the Faculty of Arts to help you plan your program.
2. Explore organizations that sponsor study abroad programs.
3. If you need academic support, visit the Academic Learning Centre for workshops or to meet with a learning skills instructor.
4. If you wish to concentrate on languages, you may take an Asian language course at the 1000 level.
5. When choosing a minor, take courses that will open opportunities

CAREER TIPS

Start planning your career:

1. Meet with a career consultant to generate career ideas based on your interests, values, personality and skills.
2. Research occupations that match your skills and interests.
3. Set up a UM Connect account to view job postings and register for workshops and events.
4. Set up your Experience Record, an official record of university-approved activities.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Link experiences to your career interests. Options include:

1. Student groups from various ethnocultural backgrounds, the Arts Student Body Council and UMSU.
2. Volunteer for UM Orientation events to help welcome new students to campus while gaining experience.
3. Student work opportunities including Work-Study, STEP Services or Federal Student Work Experience Program.
4. Experiential education opportunities such as Community Engaged Learning programs and the Student Leadership Development Program.

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Considering international opportunities? Visit the Language Centre and check out the International Centre website to learn more international opportunities for UM students. Consider an exchange program in China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea or Taiwan.

Explore communities and cultures you want to work with: Visit the Manitoba Japanese Canadian Cultural Community Centre, the Winnipeg Chinese Cultural and Community Centre, explore Winnipeg’s Chinatown established in 1909 or attend Asian Heritage Month in May. Learn about local agencies via department advisors and 211 Manitoba.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:
6 credit hours in a 1000 level Asian language course

6 credit hours from ASIA 2080, ASIA 2620 or ASIA 2630

6 credit hours from 2000 level approved course list in the Academic Calendar.

To do this year:

1. Meet with an academic advisor and career consultant to map out your options.
2. If you have some knowledge in an Asian language talk to an advisor, you may be able to take an Asian language course at the 2000 instead of the 1000 level.
3. Participate in the Chinese Language Partner Program through the Asian Studies Centre.

CAREER TIPS

Investigate your career options:

1. Look at sample job postings to ensure you have the qualifications upon graduation.
2. Develop employability and essential skills sought by employers.
3. Explore supports available to entrepreneurs for business planning including the Stu Clarke Centre for Entrepreneurship, World Trade Centre Winnipeg, and the Manitoba Government.
4. Create a LinkedIn profile to network with professionals.

Expand your network:

1. Join the Career Mentor Program to learn from professionals.
2. Attend career fairs to connect with employers.
3. Develop professional connections with professors by applying for an Undergraduate Research Award.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Explore student research opportunities: Apply for a research assistant position, Undergraduate Research Award or inquire about research assistant positions. Participate in the Undergraduate Research Poster Competition.

Gain practical experience by volunteering: Check out Folklorama, and opportunities in cultural communities. If you have the language skills, try volunteering at one of the community heritage language schools.

Check out student job opportunities with: the City of Winnipeg, Government of Manitoba, Tourism Winnipeg, Travel Manitoba or Parks Canada.

Find opportunities to market yourself: Become a Faculty of Arts Student Ambassador.

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Develop global career skills and expand intercultural learning: Consider an international student exchange to China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea or Taiwan through the International Centre. Apply for scholarships through the Japanese and Taiwanese governments when studying in their countries. Check out my My World Abroad or SWAP for a "working holiday."

Staying local? Check out the pavilions of Folklorama. Consider enhancing language and culture knowledge through the Language Partner Volunteer Program.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements:
6 credit hours from courses at the 3000 level and above as listed in the Academic Calendar or 6 credit hours of Asian language courses at the 2000 level.

To do this year:

1. If you have knowledge in an Asian language, you may take an Asian course at the 3000 level instead of the 2000 level.
2. Confirm eligibility to graduate with an academic advisor, and declare intent to graduate in Aurora.

CAREER TIPS

Market your skills: Develop your resumé and cover letter and refine your interview skills.

Start job search 9 months in advance: Contact Career Services to refine your job search and self-marketing strategies. You can visit the office up to 6 months after graduation.

If you are continuing on to graduate school: Finalize your application materials and search for funding and awards to help finance your continuing education. Contact your department to find out how their awards deadlines are advertised.

Consider graduate programs? A provisional year may be required to compliment this three year degree.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Search for job opportunities online: Check out WorkInCulture, Job Bank, Find My Job, Indeed or other search engines.

Use your networks and connections: Inquire about unadvertised job openings (the "hidden job market"). The JET program in Japan accepts this three year degree.

Ensure you have references in place: Ask your professor for a reference or a letter of recommendation if you're applying to a professional program.

Assess your resumé: Identify any gaps in experience and fill them through volunteering, work placements or internships such as the Post-Secondary Recruitment Program.

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Did you travel abroad? Become an exchange mentor for the International Student Mentorship Program, join the exchange student community at the University of Manitoba or write an article about your experience.

Participate in the multicultural opportunities on campus: Volunteer for Graduation Pow Wow.

Prepare to work in a multicultural environment: Visit Canada's National Research Centre for Truth and Reconciliation on campus. Get access to LinkedIn Learning through the Winnipeg Public Library and take courses to develop your cross-cultural intelligence. Consider teaching English in South Korea.

Sample jobs with an undergraduate degree and related experience

• Citizenship/Immigration Agent
• Communications Officer
• Community Service Worker
• Editorial Publishing Assistant
• English Language Teacher
• Foreign Communication Analyst
• Foreign Intelligence Analyst
• Foreign Service Officer
• Global Public Relations Specialist
• International Relations Officer
• Interpreter
• Language Training Coordinator
• Student Recruitment Officer
• Terminologist
• Trade Representative
• Tourism Promoter/Operator
• Verbatim Reporter
• Visitor Services Agent

Options requiring other education

• Business Consultant
• Diplomat
• ESL Instructor
• Foreign Correspondent 
• Immigration Consultant
• Lawyer
• Librarian
• Speech Language Pathologist
• Translator 
• University Professor
• Video Game Designer

Industries such as business, government, non-government organizations and tourism would value an Asian studies major in combination with the employability skills that are highly sought after by employers. These include:*

• Written and oral communication
• Cultural competency
• Numeracy and data use
• Critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Teamwork
• Digital technology
• Continuous learning

Attain skills through your classroom education and take advantage of experiential education opportunities.

*Information has been adapted from Employability Skills 2000⁺ and Workplace Education Manitoba – Essential Skills.