foxmart

Not sure how many of you are in the field of technology (as in any and all engineering, computer programming, math/science research/education, etc...), but what is your perception of the importance of having foreign language and international issues knowledge while working as an engineer?

I'm a recent college graduate in mathematics and am looking forward to working in the engineering industry (I used to be an engineering major but switched, mainly because the math department at my school is *much* better run). So far my foreign language knowledge has never come up in interviews. It seems like I could very well speak numerous more languages yet it's almost as though that knowledge is completely irrelevant in pursuing work as an engineer.

So for the sake of discussion, and to help give me different perspectives as I start to shape my career, I want to know how to make knowledge of and interest in foreign languages compatible with a career in technology =). I guess I could go into the business side of things, but I'm not that big on management and bureaucracy. If at all possible I'd like to know how to build a career that focuses on the technology aspect.

Cinema

Regardless of what career you are pursuing, it is still imperative that everyone try to learn another language. If you are in fact in CA it should be very easy for you to...

1. Learn Spanish as it is quite commonly spoken all over CA. I am in Texas and Spanish is all over as in most of the Southwest part of US. You can learn this for free by knowing someone already fluent or you can take classes.

2. Learn another language like Italian, very similar to Spanish so it won't be such a drastic measure to select another language.

This will be great on your resume too. Get ready for career changes too. I was fortunate to work in Oil/Gas industry where I was able to move around and found "International" division of best interest. This is where your knowledge of others languages will be key to your success. Take it from someone that has experienced several career changes. I wish I had others to guide me when younger, but sometimes we have to learn as we go along in our live and careers. So start choosing language courses or hang on to Berber and I can give you others if you PM me.

Ciao and grazie!

Cinema

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foxmart

I already speak spanish and am learning japanese and french, which is kinda why I want to know how I could use them to advance my career in technology. so far (and yeah, I'm still looking -_-) my language skills have been pretty irrelevant in whatever few job interviews I've had =/.

Urban Sasquatch

It doesn't take a great leap of genius to realize that when it comes to technology, speaking at least Japanese would offer benefits -- not the least of which would be a foot in the door with companies such as Toyota, Mitsubishi, etc. In my dealings with the Nipponjin I've noticed that they are always impressed, at least a bit, by an American's efforts to learn their language when doing any activity with them.

That's just one possibility.

Nearly every (I'd dare say "every") field of operations out there has an IT field associated with it in some form or fashion. I know the post above mentioned working in the oil and gas industry. Years ago when I was leaving the military I considered trying to get work with British Petroleum for their deals in the Russian oil fields; sadly, enough British learn foreign languages that my linguistics weren't adequate at the time, but it does show how it might be used.

Were I you and concentrated in technology, I'd try to figure out which countries are more closely associated with outsourcing in my chosen field, move my linguistic focus to the languages of those countries. While that may not land you a field IN one of those countries, it will certainly offer you a leg up with American companies who deal with those countries on a regular basis.

Just food for thought.

miette

Sharing the language with people is really important. French don't like americans mostly because they don't make the effort to speak at least a little french. In buisseness it's even more important I suppose.

My dad once went to indonesia to work for half a year .. so he learned indonesian.. to him it was completely logic that working with them needed as well being able to talk with them and not relie on english as common language.

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