Careers & Outcomes

Academics / Departments & Programs / Chinese / Careers & Outcomes

Chinese language skills and cultural knowledge can lead to careers in many fields, most commonly in education, business, computer science and missions.

Students who have studied Chinese at Calvin are regularly accepted to teach English at universities or private academies in China through one of several organizations with which Calvin has a long-standing relationship, including ELI (English Language Institute). Through these programs, graduates may teach English in China for two years and simultaneously earn a Master’s in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language).

To prepare for your career beyond Calvin, consider opportunities to study abroad during the semester, or spend your summer working in various parts of China.

Alumni Stories

Read our Career Stories Booklet to see how over 40 of the graduates of our Asian Studies program are using their knowledge of Asian languages out in the world.

Teaching Abroad

Students who have studied Chinese at Calvin can find a job teaching English at a university or a private academy in China through one of several organizations with which Calvin has a long-standing relationship, including ELI (English Language Institute) of San Dimas, California. For over a decade now, several Calvin graduates have taken advantage of these programs to teach in China. Through the English Language Institute in China, graduates may teach English at a university in China for two years and simultaneously earn a Master's in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language). There are currently seven Calvin graduates teaching English in China. They help to better the understanding of Chinese students of both the English language and of western culture and belief systems, and in so doing create much good will toward Americans and Canadians.

Students who are still enrolled at Calvin may go to China in the summers through organizations like ELI. After an orientation and training period in California, participating students spend five weeks teaching English to and having fun with Chinese junior high and high school students in various parts of China. As many as a dozen Calvin students have already participated in summer programs like this in China.

Career paths to consider

These career paths reflect those taken by Calvin Chinese graduates in the past ten years:

Business
Education
Engineering
International Law
International Relations
Intelligence work for the U.S. Government (CIA, NSA)

Interpreter
Linguistics
Mission-International NGO (e.g. World Vision)
U.S. Department of State
U.S. Department of Defense
U.S. Department of Energy

Some more possible careers for a Chinese major

World Language teacher
Translator
Researcher
Foreign Service Worker (Peace Corps, VISTA, AmeriCorps, USAID)
Health Services Worker
Missionary
Employee at an International Business
Professor
ESL Teacher
Social Worker
Educational Administrator for Study Abroad Programs

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