3 answers
Quinn
Student
Providence, Rhode Island
2
Questions
Updated
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In your opinion what is the best minor or language to pair with an economics major?
I would like to graduate with a minor to pair with my major. I am also considering taking up a foreign language. #college #college-major #economics
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3 answers
Simona Gadow
Account Executive (IT Sales)
8
Answers
Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Updated
Simona’s Answer
I wish I could give you a concrete pointer like "learn language X" but it's not that easy for a stranger. But I speak 6 languages fairly well, so I can give you pointers on how to learn them successfully. So here is what has helped me:
If you plan on staying in the US, you may want to look at the biggest trading partners your country has, and pick from those languages. Additionally, you might want to consider which countries are upwardly mobile in terms of their economy as it shows what languages will be relevant in the future (see China, Brazil etc.). In the same vein, it makes little sense to learn languages of tiny countries with weak economies, even if people tend to love them (like Italian) - you want to go for either huge countries/empires that have many many native speakers around the world, or you can even pick a smaller country if their economy is relevant (e.g. Korean).
Then I'd take a look at typical second languages everyone tends to pick up where you live, and maybe do something else: for example, if everyone learns Spanish, perhaps I'd pick something that makes you stand out more - perhaps Portuguese (Brazil), perhaps French (parts of Canada and EU)?
Over the years I've noticed that it makes most sense to pick a language that gives you the opportunity to practice where you live. For example, I studied Mandarin in college quite hard, but because there is zero opportunity to ever speak it where I live, I forgot most of it again (I should have studied Romanian really, because I met so many Romanians in my city and they have thriving communities open to others too). So check out what's your biggest immigrant population in your area, and try to align with that - that gives you plenty of opportunity to go to immigrant shops, restaurants, bars, book shops etc. and use that language in action.
What also helped me in the past is understanding which countries speak English extremely well vs. very poorly. For example, there was almost no point in learning Dutch for me, despite it being our neighbouring country and an important economy, because they speak English so very well - it's simply superfluous to speak their native language because they speak English like natives themselves. So try to get an understanding of how well English is spoken in the different countries (you can see this by extension in the immigrant communities - see if the older people speak English well, or what the household languages are), as that will give you a leg up in terms of how useful certain languages can be in your work life later on.
There is a point to be made to pick a language whose culture(s) align most with your tastes. Do you love literature? Russian might be an idea because it's a very rich and complex language. Do you love Latinx music and cuisine? Then go more for Spanish/Portuguese. I always found it helpful to pick languages that sound musical to my ears, so that I take delight in listening to their artists and music (and later reading their books), which helps you reach the next level of language fluency.
Lastly, you need to know yourself in terms of study preference - do you like to master difficult challenges when it comes to languages or are you shooting for best results with least input? Most languages have certain complexities - Chinese has a complex character system but very simple grammar, for example. Russian has complex grammar but a fairly accessible alphabet. Spanish, as a Romance language, isn't too complex in grammar or vocabulary. Do you enjoy learning complex sounds (Russian, Mandarin, French) or would you like a more straight-forward approach (Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese)?
Sorry this was long. I hope it helps :)
Best wishes!!
If you plan on staying in the US, you may want to look at the biggest trading partners your country has, and pick from those languages. Additionally, you might want to consider which countries are upwardly mobile in terms of their economy as it shows what languages will be relevant in the future (see China, Brazil etc.). In the same vein, it makes little sense to learn languages of tiny countries with weak economies, even if people tend to love them (like Italian) - you want to go for either huge countries/empires that have many many native speakers around the world, or you can even pick a smaller country if their economy is relevant (e.g. Korean).
Then I'd take a look at typical second languages everyone tends to pick up where you live, and maybe do something else: for example, if everyone learns Spanish, perhaps I'd pick something that makes you stand out more - perhaps Portuguese (Brazil), perhaps French (parts of Canada and EU)?
Over the years I've noticed that it makes most sense to pick a language that gives you the opportunity to practice where you live. For example, I studied Mandarin in college quite hard, but because there is zero opportunity to ever speak it where I live, I forgot most of it again (I should have studied Romanian really, because I met so many Romanians in my city and they have thriving communities open to others too). So check out what's your biggest immigrant population in your area, and try to align with that - that gives you plenty of opportunity to go to immigrant shops, restaurants, bars, book shops etc. and use that language in action.
What also helped me in the past is understanding which countries speak English extremely well vs. very poorly. For example, there was almost no point in learning Dutch for me, despite it being our neighbouring country and an important economy, because they speak English so very well - it's simply superfluous to speak their native language because they speak English like natives themselves. So try to get an understanding of how well English is spoken in the different countries (you can see this by extension in the immigrant communities - see if the older people speak English well, or what the household languages are), as that will give you a leg up in terms of how useful certain languages can be in your work life later on.
There is a point to be made to pick a language whose culture(s) align most with your tastes. Do you love literature? Russian might be an idea because it's a very rich and complex language. Do you love Latinx music and cuisine? Then go more for Spanish/Portuguese. I always found it helpful to pick languages that sound musical to my ears, so that I take delight in listening to their artists and music (and later reading their books), which helps you reach the next level of language fluency.
Lastly, you need to know yourself in terms of study preference - do you like to master difficult challenges when it comes to languages or are you shooting for best results with least input? Most languages have certain complexities - Chinese has a complex character system but very simple grammar, for example. Russian has complex grammar but a fairly accessible alphabet. Spanish, as a Romance language, isn't too complex in grammar or vocabulary. Do you enjoy learning complex sounds (Russian, Mandarin, French) or would you like a more straight-forward approach (Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese)?
Sorry this was long. I hope it helps :)
Best wishes!!
Mikela Suter
Corporate Responsibility Fellow at PwC
9
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Mikela’s Answer
Hi Quinn -- totally up to you! I majored in economics at Georgetown University and decided to minor in African American studies and business administration. Each complemented by economics major in a unique way. I also took advanced classes in Spanish but I know there are many opportunities for students who take mandarin and arabic. Take classes in what you are passionate about and genuinely interested in!
Jay Light
Director- Client Solutions Group North America
5
Answers
Updated
Jay’s Answer
You are really the only person who can best answer this question.
but a few things to take into consideration would be where you want to work. Where live, Spanish is a great second language, but Mandarin, Japanese, and Arabic would also give you some good background for the future.
As for minor's , I always like to see people take something that will help them prepare for dealing with other humans. That could be Psychology, or it could be Communication Studies, to help you better understand how information flows within and organization. The ability to interrelate and collaborate is such a critical skill to have.
but a few things to take into consideration would be where you want to work. Where live, Spanish is a great second language, but Mandarin, Japanese, and Arabic would also give you some good background for the future.
As for minor's , I always like to see people take something that will help them prepare for dealing with other humans. That could be Psychology, or it could be Communication Studies, to help you better understand how information flows within and organization. The ability to interrelate and collaborate is such a critical skill to have.