Job Discussion Forums

SolitaryThrush · Joined: 04 Oct 2004 Posts: 32

Hello,
This isn't really related to teaching in Asia, but . . . I'm curious, what sorts of careers/positions does an MA in Asian Studies lead to? Does anyone have any experience in an Asian Studies program? Can it stand alone, or does it usually lead to a PhD in something more specialized (or to a career as an academic)?

Thanks for your help! I'd like to learn more about this field, but I am clueless as to how to start.

here_now · Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 1:33 pm Post subject:

I know people who've done their MA's in Asian studies and are working for various UN agencies. I should mention however that they always specialized in something within the program be it gender issues, politics etc...or sometimes focused on a specific area of Asia.
An MA in Asian studies sounds too vague.

natsume · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 409 Location: Chongqing, China

I just wanted to revive this topic. Anybody know of any websites and/or forums elsewhere that may discuss this?

GWUstudent · Joined: 29 Aug 2006 Posts: 29 Location: Washington DC

I looked into an Asian Studies MA...actually USF has a great program and I think they have a page on their website that lists careers of alumni from the program. I emailed and called the school and spoke with the program assistant and asked these same questions.

The coursework looked really interesting. It seems some people use the degree to work for businesses with some type of focus on asia, museums, non-profits, gov. organizations. Others use it to specialize....perhaps they have a law or business degree and do the MA so they can focus their work on asia. I know other graduates of the USF program have gone on to teach ESL...so it really varies.

It all depends on what you want out of the program and what direction your headed in. I think its also good to look at organizations in the area where you might do the MA. Where can you intern and what type of work experience can you get while doing the degree. It seems like it would also be useful to take some elective classes in the area in which you might work..business, education, whatever. There are many factors to consider when going into a grad program.

Good luck to you!!!