BA offered by the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
Are you fascinated by East Asia, its rich history, culture, people and past civilizations? Majoring in East Asian Studies will expose you to one of the most socially and economically vibrant, diverse and dynamic regions of the world. Offered in a variety of degree options, assuming a demonstrated competence of an East Asian language (excluding minor option), core courses are focused on the study of contemporary and past Chinese, Japanese and Korean societies and their cultural and sociopolitical heritage. You can further expand your familiarity of the region by participating in an exchange in China, South Korea or Japan at one of the many universities 91亚色 collaborates with in the region.
Career Options in East Asian Studies
Here are just some of the career options related to this major. As all degrees offer transferable skills, some jobs are more closely linked to this field, than others. Check for regional requirements.
- Academic Researcher
- Analyst (Cultural Affairs)
- Business Consultant
- Cultural Attach茅
- Diplomat
- Editor (International Publications)
- Educator (Language or Culture)
- Event Coordinator (Cultural Events)
- Foreign Affairs Specialist
- Foreign Service Officer
- Grant Writer (Cultural Organizations)
- Historian (East Asian History)
- International Business Development Manager
- International Development Consultant
- International Relations Specialist
- Interpreter/Translator
- Journalist (Focusing on East Asia)
- Market Research Analyst
- Museum Curator (Asian Collections)
- Nonprofit Program Manager
- Policy Analyst (Asian Studies)
- Political Scientist
- Public Relations Specialist
- Research Analyst (Market Trends)
- Regional Manager (Asia-Pacific)
- Sales Representative (International Markets)
- Social Media Manager (Cultural Organizations)
- Software Localization Specialist
- Teacher (ESL or East Asian Languages)
- Tourism Manager (East Asia)
- Trade Compliance Officer
- Translator (Literary Works)
- Travel Consultant (Specializing in East Asia)
- University Admissions Officer
- Urban Planner (Focusing on East Asian Cities)
- Video Game Localization Specialist
- Volunteer Coordinator (Cultural Programs)
- Web Content Manager (Cultural Institutions)
- Youth Program Director (Cultural Exchange Programs)
Some career choices may require further education, such as graduate studies or professional courses and exams. For detailed career descriptions and specific requirements, please check .
Entry-Level Positions in East Asian Studies
An undergraduate degree is typically sufficient for these positions, though some locations may require additional qualifications. For region-specific information, please check .
- Academic Assistant
- Cultural Program Assistant
- Education Coordinator (Language Programs)
- Event Assistant (Cultural Events)
- Foreign Language Teacher (Elementary Level)
- Grant Assistant (Cultural Organizations)
- International Marketing Assistant
- Interpreter (Basic Level)
- Language Tutor
- Market Research Assistant
- Nonprofit Assistant
- Policy Research Assistant
- Program Assistant (Cultural Initiatives)
- Project Coordinator (Cultural Projects)
- Public Relations Assistant
- Research Assistant (Cultural Studies)
- Social Media Coordinator
- Student Advisor (International Programs)
- Tourism Assistant
- Translation Assistant
For career descriptions, visit . Some occupations may also be found on ; for login information, navigate to the Career Centre鈥檚 homepage in .
Skills Developed through a Degree in East Asian Studies
Core Skills
- A sound grasp of the historical legacy and cultural inheritance of East Asia, with focus on the 19th and 20th centuries
- Exposure to interdisciplinary approaches in contemporary research methods
- An ability to understand and communicate in an East Asian language, whether Japanese, Korean or Chinese
- An understanding of the cultural, societal, ethical and socioeconomic issues dominating contemporary debate in East Asia.
Communication, Data Gathering and Organizational Skills
- The ability to present your thoughts clearly and intelligently in written statements and written opinion pieces
- Deduction of information from various sources and the ability to concentrate on relevant resources
- The capacity to critically analyze problems, think creatively and make sound decisions while considering different sides of an argument
- The ability to explain complex ideas clearly to others and to apply complex theoretical concepts to everyday practice and professional dilemmas
- The skills to collect various types of information, assess them, analyze and incorporate potential linkages from different fields, put them into writing and efficiently convey your message and the goal of your work
Management and Teamwork Skills
- The ability to interpret and analyze information presented by peers and efficiently and constructively support or challenge their proposals, theories, ideas and reports in order to achieve a project's intended and successful end result
- The capacity to lead and interact with a variety of people with different approaches and personal and professional backgrounds
- Skills enabling you to work effectively in group situations, partaking in decision-making, leading and contributing in various capacities to the ultimate success of the team and task
- The ability to debate, persuade, mediate and present your thoughts and opinions to others, as well as the capacity to recognize and incorporate other potential solutions or applications to given problems
Professional Associations
Professional associations offer valuable insights into qualifications, industry trends, and career opportunities. They provide networking events, workshops, mentorship programs, and internships, as well as job boards and career development resources. Additionally, some associations offer professional licensing and regulatory oversight.
- : Dedicated to fostering understanding of Japanese culture and society through events and education.
- : Advocates for the interests and representation of Asian Canadians across various sectors.
- (KCWA): Supports Korean Canadian women through community programs, advocacy, and empowerment initiatives.
- (CCNC): Advocates for the rights and interests of Chinese Canadians, emphasizing social justice and heritage.
- (AAS): A leading global organization for the promotion of scholarly research in Asian studies across all disciplines.