Your degree in Asian Studies

Skills you’ll develop

During your Asian Studies degree, you can choose to focus on Asian Language and Culture or Asian Area Studies. Asian Language and Culture combines advanced language study with a concentration in one of five areas: China, Chinese Literature, Japan, Korea, or South Asia. Asian Area Studies offers a comparative approach to studying traditional and contemporary Asian societies with less emphasis on advanced language study.

You’ll develop important skills while studying history, literary and religious traditions, gender relations, and languages.

These skills may include:

  • Critical thinking and analysis of concepts related to major political, cultural, literary, historical, and/or religious movements in one or more Asian communities
  • Applying problem solving to the examination of Asian-related topics considering multiple perspectives
  • Intercultural understanding and competency
  • Reflecting on and analyzing self-identity, influences, assumptions, and values
  • Understanding and translating a wide range of texts, and recognizing implicit meanings
  • Expressing ideas fluently and spontaneously in a foreign language
  • Persuasive public speaking and reasoning abilities that are evidence-based 
  • Ability to perceive the influence different perspectives can have on facts
  • Written and verbal communication skills used to identify and examine the historical, social, political, economic, and cultural dimensions of Canada’s relationship with Asia and the place of Asian communities in the history of North America and other regions of the world

Career possibilities

Career opportunities vary across a range of fields including government, non-government and not-for-profit organizations, translation and interpretation, business, law, cultural organizations, tourism, museums, media, education, and others.

There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests. Read through the job titles below for ideas. Some career options may require further education or training.

Visit the National Occupational Classification website to research basic requirements and responsibilities of jobs in your field.

  • Archivist
  • Art or Music therapist
  • Biographer
  • Charitable organization director
  • Communications policy researcher
  • Communications specialist
  • Community development worker
  • Community programs director
  • Conservator
  • Copywriter
  • Cultural anthropologist
  • Curator
  • Customs broker
  • Diplomat
  • Documentarian/Filmmaker
  • Editor
  • Education policy analyst
  • English as an Additional Language teacher
  • Event planner
  • Foreign service officer
  • Genealogist
  • Heritage interpreter
  • Historian
  • Human resources specialist
  • Human rights officer
  • Immigration officer
  • Interpreter
  • Journalist
  • Language school instructor
  • Lawyer
  • Library director
  • Linguist
  • Linguistics advisor
  • Literacy program coordinator
  • Literary agent
  • Lobbyist
  • Marketing specialist
  • Media or Information consultant
  • Museum administrator
  • Museum educator
  • News analyst
  • Policy advisor
  • Public affairs officer
  • Records technician
  • Research assistant
  • Restoration technician
  • Social policy researcher
  • Teacher or Professor
  • Tourism industry consultant
  • Translator
  • Writer

Make the most of your program

Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities and help you understand your values and interests.

Build your network

Employers often hire people they know, so help them get to know you. You can build your network through clubs, classes, informational interviews, and more. There are so many ways to make connections and find mentors.

The professional associations below are also great resources for meeting people, learning about specific industries, and finding job and volunteer opportunities. Most have reduced membership rates for students and new grads.

Connect with alumni on LinkedIn

Find UBC Asian Studies graduates on LinkedIn to learn about where they’re working, and their career and academic paths.

More information

From your Arts degree, you’ll develop skills and experiences that can translate into many career paths. Check out other things you can do with your Arts degree.