Interviewing My Japanese Professor

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CY:  What kind of jobs can people who studied language (Japanese) get after they graduate college?

Professor Kuo:  I can say there are two kinds: travel agent, interpreter, and diplomat, yeah.

CY:  Which field of jobs that use language would enable a person to make more money (ex. business)?

Professor Kuo:  Business will make more money in this society.  It is hard to say, though.  In the past 20 years, people involved in high technology made a lot of money.  In general, of course, doctors also.

CY:  Would you support a Japanese major being opened in St. John's? Why or why not?

Professor Kuo:  Of course, I agree…because Japan is a very polite country, very ordered and clean, something American students need to learn.

CY:  Do you HAVE to major in something else if you want to study language in college (ex. major business/teaching and study Japanese)?

Professor Kuo:  Yeah, of course.  Learning different subjects would be very beneficial.

CY:  Do you have to double major?

Professor Kuo:  Yes.  It is beneficial.  People need some skill.  Use language as a tool.  People need other education.  Use a financial or educational background to support language.

CY:  How difficult is it to get a job with only a language major?

Professor Kuo:  Only language…limits field.  Being an interpreter…demand is big when Japan economics is moving.

CY:  When you say demand, what exactly are you referring to?

Professor Kuo:  For translating and business.

CY:  Do you think that developing students’ language skills would preserve languages better in the U.S.?  Since English is mainly used in the U.S., many languages may gradually be lost.  If college students were forced to take language classes, do you think languages would be preserved better?

Professor Kuo:  Yes, it preserves better because you keep your mind and use it your whole life.  I used Japanese when learning English major.  I kept myself updated with newspapers.  I kept on training my mind.  Keep it living and make it active.  Make friends with those that speak the language.  Penpal…enables you to make friends and use the languages.

CY:  Can language, on its own, stand on equal terms with other majors?  By this, I mean will it ever be the other way around, with people choosing language as their major and choosing things like business or politics as their minor?

Professor Kuo:  School has a lot variety for students to choose from.  With language major, there is more time to study for.  With business, language skill as a minor or major is a plus.  Being a teacher in language, you need to learn grammar, pronunciation, and linguistics.  Minor doesn’t teach these, only major, so it’s important.  Language major should come to equal terms.  Concentrate on language.  Usually it’s for fun or to support job target.  In the end, learning more languages is beneficial.