Careers in Japanese
Graduates of Carthage’s Japanese program use their cultural knowledge and language skills in various careers after graduation.
What can you do with a degree in Japanese?
Studying Japanese equips you with both cultural insight and advanced language skills — qualities that are highly valued in today’s globalized workforce. With a multicultural perspective and proficiency in more than one language, you can pursue a wide range of meaningful and dynamic careers.
Here are just a few of the career paths you can explore with a degree in Japanese:
- Teach English at the elementary, middle, or high school level in Japan.
- Teach Japanese at the elementary, middle, or high school level in the U.S. or abroad.
- Work as an interpreter or translator for Japanese organizations and institutions.
- Serve as a cultural liaison for local governments or international programs.
- Build a career in banking, import/export, or law with multinational companies connected to Japan.
- Pursue careers in engineering or computer science, applying your Japanese skills to research or projects related to Japan.
- Serve as a Japanese specialist in museums, libraries, or nonprofit cultural exchange programs.
- Pursue a career as an artist, fashion designer, or graphic designer by incorporating Japanese aesthetics and elements into your work.
- Work in tourism as a marketing specialist or tour guide.
- Serve in the military as a language specialist, supporting translation and interpretation needs.
- Become an immigration officer or consultant working with Japanese clients or communities.
Where do Carthage Japanese graduates work now?
Many Japanese majors and minors have gotten jobs in a variety of fields:
- Administrative Office Assistant at HOPE of Evansville
- Assistant Language Teacher at Minoh City Board of Education
- Associate Organizer at CAJE
- Benefits Analyst at Hyatt Hotel; Tokyo, Japan
- Bilingual Business Operations Coordinator at Hilton Grand Vacations
- Business Intelligence Developer at Wagner Equipment
- Client Support Representative at Loffler Companies
- Data Engineer for Collins Aerospace
- English Teacher in the JET Program
- English Teacher in NOVA Holdings Co. Ltd; Tokyo
- Graphic Designer at BrownBoots Interactive, Inc.
- International Financial Analyst at Collective Brands, Inc.
- Lead Event Coordinator at Amazon.com
- Marketing Coordinator at Alfred Benesch & Company
- Research Technologist at Medical College of Wisconsin
- Senior Proposal Coordinator at Jacobs, Business Consulting and Services
- Tech Assistant at Waunake Community School District
- Translator/Proofreader at VIX Translations
What are some English teaching programs for Japanese majors?
Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET)
The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme invites university graduates from overseas to participate in international exchange and foreign language education throughout Japan. The programme offers university graduates the opportunity to serve in local government organizations as well as public and private primary, junior high and senior high schools.
Assistant Language Teacher Program (ALT)
The Chiba Prefectural Board of Education hires Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) from Wisconsin to assist English teachers in Japan, teaching classes at the middle and junior high school levels. Wisconsin’s ALTs may stay in Japan for a 1- to 3-year period of time, are paid a salary in yen equivalent to about $30,000 annually, and receive substantial benefits and training.