can being multi-lingual be really helpful when looking for a job?

[Keyboard Ninja]

Is it really that helpful?

I'm asking because I'm learning Japanese now, and I am refreshing myself with Vietnamese and Spanish. I hope to have Japanese down (enough to pass my classes with an A) by May 2009. To be (or act) natural will take alot more practice and more time, but this is a way for me to get a slight bump in my E-3 pay.

Is it going to help me as far as looking for a job (in and out of the military)? I'm currently in the USAF, and I'd like to open up as many opportunities as I can in the military. How would I be able to market myself to the leaders of the USAF and let them know that I can translate? I could care less where I get stationed in the world as long as I can contribute and use my language skills. Heck I'll pick up Arabic if I have to.

Anyone in and out of the military is welcome to post their opinions. I've always been told that if you start volunteering you might hate the extra responsibility because now you are the go to guy. Being "that" guy can't be bad...or can it? I'm not trying to kiss butt (or should I?) but I'm just wanting to maximize my experiences in the military. As each day passes I keep meeting people who are content with what they have and don't have any plans or goals to look forward to. I just don't want to be stuck in a rut.

Oh yeah...I've got 3 more hours before I get a BA in Liberal Studies

[CuppaJoe]

Can it help, mais oui! I majored in French, my current boss is fluent in French and takes on the occasional French-speaking client. Even though I "speak French like a Spanish cow" I feel a lot of rapport with the French clients and handled most of the paperwork for one of them who remains one of my favorite clients.

But the real reason I was hired has more to do with opera. Potential boss' wife is from Tbilisi via Tel Aviv. When they were looking for a new employee I had many conversations with her about opera and when the subject of Russian operas came up, I couldn't stop my eyes from lighting up. Don't know many words in Russian, but i kinda like the music .

[bbbamI]

French....ooooooo laaaaa laaaaa.......

In TX and prolly everywhere else, Spanish is great to know.

[lazygood4nothinbum]

English-only movement - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Quote:

Article II, Section 9, of the Florida Constitution provides that "English is the official language of the State of Florida." This provision was adopted in 1988 by a vote following an Initiative Petition.

regardless, here are some of the 600 or so miami-area jobs currently advertised on careerbuilders.com:

Bilingual Field Nurse Case Manager (RN) – Work From Home!! GENEX...Puerto Rico and Canada. We are currently seeking a Bilingual (...

Job type: Full-Time Employee | Pay: $10.00 - $12.00/hour
...private physician practices, hospitals and medical centers. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred. AMP can suit any employment need... ......

Job type: Full-Time Employee
...Experience Necessary) 150 + Bilingual Customer Service Representatives...reimbursement!! Hiring 150+ bilingual customer service

Job type: Full-Time Employee | Pay: $9.50 - $11.50/hour
Staffing Now, Inc. is seeking qualified Bilingual Customer Service Representatives with 2+ years of customer service...

Job type: Full-Time Employee | Pay: $17.00/hour
...Real Estate firm looking to hire a bright and organized Bilingual Executive Secretary to screen phone calls, assist with tenant... ...

Job type: Full-Time Employee | Pay: $40k - $55k/year
...legal assistant to work for 2 attorneys. Candidate MUST be bilingual (English/Spanish). Candidate will be responsible for drafting......

[CuppaJoe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbbamI .... In TX and prolly everywhere else, Spanish is great to know.

That reminds me, I've been meaning to draw up a chart: How California is just like Texas: 1) Spanish; 2) High-tech; 3); 4); 118); etc.

[bbbamI]

Will your chart include chiggers?

[CuppaJoe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbbamI Will your chart include chiggers?

Help! Help! Calling all Californians! Anyone seen a chigger? The Texans are at it again. [I haven't seen a chigger or 17-year locust since I left the Midwest.] Help! This could be our Alamo.

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Nope, no chiggers here. The only major threats are rattlesnakes, hordes of mosquitoes and democrats.

[Urchina]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cute fuzzy bunny Nope, no chiggers here. The only major threats are rattlesnakes, hordes of mosquitoes and democrats.

Add to list:

Republicans (last time I looked, our Gubernator is one)
Wildfires
Mudslides
Drought
bad box wine

To get off the thread hijack, being bilingual wasn't a requirement for my job, but I can think of no single skill that would have increased my efficiency, efficacy or promotability more than fluency in Spanish would have (given that I already had most of the other skills nailed down pretty well). I'm starting Spanish classes soon so that I can rectify that.

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urchina Republicans (last time I looked, our Gubernator is one)

Yeah but he's married to a the top democrat family.

I think we just like putting one in as governor because we know they'll take the job, then we can watch them twist in the wind.

[Notmuchlonger]

Probably because Gray Davis left us no choice. Maybe we will get lucky and that San Fran mayor will run for Gov

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keyboard Ninja Is it really that helpful? I'm asking because I'm learning Japanese now, and I am refreshing myself with Vietnamese and Spanish. I hope to have Japanese down (enough to pass my classes with an A) by May 2009. To be (or act) natural will take alot more practice and more time, but this is a way for me to get a slight bump in my E-3 pay.

Heck yeah. You can write your ticket anywhere in Waikiki with Japanese & Vietnamese. Visitor services, hotel management, court/legal assistance, social services... you name it. NSA & CIA. There's also a guy on this board who may contact you about contract translation services for his budding business.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keyboard Ninja Is it going to help me as far as looking for a job (in and out of the military)? I'm currently in the USAF, and I'd like to open up as many opportunities as I can in the military. How would I be able to market myself to the leaders of the USAF and let them know that I can translate? I could care less where I get stationed in the world as long as I can contribute and use my language skills. Heck I'll pick up Arabic if I have to.

IIRC the traditional way to document your language skills is via the standardized DoD language proficiency tests. Those scores become a part of your electronic service record, which may pop up your name on a number of contingency screenings.

An old shipmate, Pete Snyder, spent his first tour on a ship stationed in Yokosuka. His Japanese girlfriend upgraded to spouse when they moved to California, where she (by her own admission) became thoroughly Americanized as well as a feminist. He continued to improve his spoken & written Japanese skills. When Pete left the service they took a KPMG contract in Hawaii but soon moved to a KPMG office in Japan. When last I heard from him he was working at a Japanese head-hunter firm recruiting Americans for Japanese corporations and vice versa.

Japanese friends occasionally tell him, especially when the sake is flowing, that it really weirds them out to hear fluency coming from his gaijin lips.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keyboard Ninja Oh yeah...I've got 3 more hours before I get a BA in Liberal Studies

Excellent, the commissioning quotas are usually wide-open in October for the new fiscal year!

When will you get your degree, and have you started your package yet?

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Alright, since nobofy has done it and its low hanging fruit....


I had a girlfriend that was bilingual. Very hot.

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cute fuzzy bunny Alright, since nobofy has done it and its low hanging fruit.... I had a girlfriend that was bilingual. Very hot.

Well if we're stooping that low, then I would have guessed that she was a cunning... eh, never mind.

[CuppaJoe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cute fuzzy bunny Alright, since nobofy has done it and its low hanging fruit.... I had a girlfriend that was bilingual. Very hot.

Yes! And the International Club was a well-kept campus secret. Very few other Americans hung out there.

[clifp]

I think there is/will be a huge demand for American/Westerns who are fluent in Mandarin.
Obviously a lot of Chinese learn English but the one guy I know who study Chinese art in college is constantly making deals in China.