With more than one billion speakers around the globe, Chinese is a language of literature, commerce, diplomacy and technology. Knowledge of the Chinese language can prepare you for careers in any of these fields, providing not only linguistic competency but also necessary cultural knowledge to work effectively with individuals from different countries.
Knowledge of Chinese can also prepare you for careers that require foreign language proficiency, including translation and interpretation, the foreign service, or work in governmental or international organizations.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 24 percent job growth for interpreters and translators between 2020 and 2030, which is much faster than average. This growth is largely driven by globalization and an increasingly diverse U.S. population, according to the BLS.
Foreign language skills can also give you an advantage in almost industry, including media, health care and social services, and education, as knowledge of Chinese can help you reach more people and provide services to a wider clientele.