21 Career options after learning Chinese

There are plenty of excellent reasons to learn Chinese. But one that really matters to most learners is a career in Mandarin.

The world is soon becoming a heterogeneous village. It has mixed cultures, languages, festivals, and traditions.

You will find people from all around the world in all the major cities. Haven’t we all seen at least some foreigners around?

Many firms from other nations are opening corporate offices or local branches in other countries. This is to grow their business. And also to enhance their abilities.

In such an ever-expanding world, being multilingual is almost a free pass to a better life.

Do you want to learn a foreign language that will help you in your career? Then, Chinese might be the perfect option for you.

Chinese language is helpful in almost any career field and assists you in advance. But some careers and jobs require Mandarin. And so, it makes learning beneficial!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Why Mandarin as a career of all choices?
• 21 Dream Jobs That Require Chinese Skills
  • 1. Chinese translator jobs
  • 2. Career as a Chinese interpreter
  • 3. Subtitle writer work
  • 4. English teachers in China
  • 5. Chinese language teacher
  • 6. Lawyer
  • 7. Operations head in any corporate office
  • 8. Research analyst
  • 9. Sales and marketing specialist
  • 10. Brand ambassador
  • 11. Journalist as a Chinese specialist
  • 12. Travel and Tourism
  • 13. Working in a local and foreign embassy
  • 14. Flight attendant and Aviation sector
  • 15. Content creator in Chinese
  • 16. Career as a Chinese YouTuber
  • 17. Make money by blogging about Mandarin
  • 18. Jobs in Chinese companies
  • 19. Export houses and businesses
  • 20. Chinese specialist job in hospitality
  • 21. Information Technology sector
• Final Words on Careers involving Chinese

Why Mandarin as a career of all choices?

Even if you want to make a career out of languages, why select Chinese?

The real question is, why not?

Chinese is the world’s most widely spoken native language, even if just in absolute numbers. So there are many incentives for the Chinese language in store for us.

Its legacy and rich past have expanded into multiple horizons, including finance, economics, and history. Having learned the language, you will think across various perspectives and dimensions.

If you are fluent in Mandarin, congratulations! You have the opportunity to dive deep into the lucrative career options and jobs involving Chinese.

Many Chinese-speaking employment chances will pay you to work in many countries and cities. For example, mainland China, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, etc.

You can also stay back and opt for a career in a local branch of a Chinese multinational.

Even if internal communication were not in Chinese, those proficient in Chinese would have a distinct edge. This is because they can bridge the communication gap between headquarters and branch offices.

Because the number of individuals who speak Chinese as a second language is small and the number of career categories that need it is significant. Thus, you’ll have a lot of options to pick from.

Some people believe that learning and understanding this language is challenging, yet this is untrue. Instead, the peculiarity of this language’s writing system has earned it a reputation for being difficult.

There are many more aspects of the language to learn, but they are not as tough as they appear.

21 Dream Jobs That Require Chinese Skills

The Chinese language might assist you in getting a head start in life.

There are some concerns about what professional possibilities exist for people who know Chinese. What alternatives are there, and what would they involve?

To help you sort through the options, I’ve put up a list of careers that may be available.

With your superior Chinese language skills at the ready, you’ll be one step closer to some outstanding jobs.

1. Chinese translator jobs

A career as a translator calls for some solid language abilities in terms of reading and writing both Chinese and English.

The documents could be formal, and thus the textbook language, which is often taught at language coaching, would be of great use. There are also technical, children’s, literary, and academic translations.

Given that most of the openings in this line would be freelance jobs, you won’t need a degree to get started.

All you need is documentation that you have a higher level in Chinese reading and speaking. A speed typing test and a transcriber’s foot pedal are the usual criteria for employment.

There are also full-time openings in various organizations. You need qualifications. And also, experience plays a vital role, especially if you have a niche-specific background.

The point to be noted is that competition would be high, as this is one of the most sought-after lines of work for those fluent in Chinese. But, the good thing is the impressive pay for language experts.

2. Career as a Chinese interpreter

This is yet another popularly sought-after career path for linguists. Yet, like a translator, being an interpreter is also usually a freelance possibility.

The most basic fluency and on-the-feet thinking would be required across all openings.

The job would entail live translation and communication in most scenarios. Hence, your language skills would have to be very refined, almost to the extent of being a native speaker.

But, you need not worry. Once you get over the introductory tone and inflections of the language, Chinese is not impossible to master.

Becoming an interpreter could open various careers involving Chinese. It spans but is not limited to government jobs, medical, private companies, and more.

Because of limited supply and job difficulties, the salary of a Mandarin interpreter is really high. They are well paid, often on an hourly or task-based.

3. Subtitle writer work

In the era of global media consumption, Chinese shows and videos are sought after and watched worldwide.

Films can assist you in improving accents, tones, and sounds in everyday talk and colloquial expressions and phrases.

Chinese dramas and movies are an enormous industry with loyal fans from multiple countries. You will uncover and understand the best aspects of the culture and history with flicks.

Most of these buffs have the common complaint of not understanding the language. Thus, subtitles are the immediate need for content creators to increase international viewership.

This also works vice versa.

Foreign content is also very famous in China, with international movies and TV shows widely watched by the Chinese. As a result, those who can write English subtitles are in high demand in China.

It is also an enjoyable career as you explore the world of media and content for free and all the time. And you will also receive a handsome paycheck.

4. English teachers in China

Chinese schools and educational institutions hire teachers to teach English in China to their students. This is because English is a primary requirement for all international interactions.

Therefore, they would look for someone fluent in both English and basic Chinese for their institution. A career as an ESL teacher in China is full of possibilities.

Although to land such a job, you might require a few years of experience besides passing the Chinese proficiency test. It also depends on the institution and its policies.

This is a splendid chance to travel to and stay in China and experience the Chinese culture and lifestyle.

The scope is broad, with options ranging from schools to universities to English tuition centers.

5. Chinese language teacher

The frenzy of learning a new language is fast-growing among everyone. Professionals, teenagers, and even hobbyists want to start one in today’s world.

There is a growth in the number of people willing to learn the Chinese language. So, the demand for language teachers and classes is also skyrocketing.

You can work as a Chinese teacher in schools and colleges. Language institutes teaching foreign languages may also be an option for you.

They are always looking for trainers with a higher level of Chinese proficiency, like level V or VI of the HSK test.

Many students are also looking to go abroad for education. And so they are on the lookout for a language teacher or mentor.

You could also conduct classes online or make pre-recorded programs. Plus, upload videos to streaming platforms like YouTube and Vimeo as an option.

6. Lawyer

Individuals, organizations, and businesses use lawyers to represent them. They also seek advice on legal issues.

Some attorneys specialize in international law. This necessitates them to study a foreign language, or in this case, Chinese.

If you are a lawyer representing a Chinese corporation or a foreign company doing business in China. Then, you would need to be proficient in the language.

Other attorneys may choose to practice immigration law. Knowing the language of the people they represent would be pretty beneficial.

You need a bachelor’s degree and a three-year law degree to practice law. So, this is a great avenue to explore for young law students who are good at Chinese.

7. Operations head in any corporate office

Many businesses and enterprises have many branches and offices located across the world. They could hire operations managers to handle the day-to-day activities at these many locations.

Operations managers have a wide range of responsibilities. This includes ensuring project completion, collaborating with other senior executives, and managing employees.

If an international corporation built a new branch in China, an operations manager who could communicate in Chinese would be critical to the branch’s success.

Imagine an international corporation building a new branch in China. Then, an operations manager who could communicate in Chinese would be crucial to the branch’s success.

The Chinese branch will probably have many Chinese employees. Thus, it is essential to have an operations manager who can interact with them in their mother tongue.

Still, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree and many years of experience to work as an operations manager.

8. Research analyst

Research and market analysis is an essential part of every corporate organization. It helps the entity understand and assess the market and competition.

In an international context, where competition transcends countries, it becomes crucial to understand the information in other languages.

Knowing Chinese will enable you to become an analyst for any company having a Chinese-language-based competitor.

If you enjoy research and have excellent Mandarin reading abilities, a career as a research analyst might be ideal for you.

9. Sales and marketing specialist

Global marketing is becoming more significant, particularly for products with a worldwide reach.

Thus, an international marketing professional, like a research analyst, will be required to undertake a lot of analysis and research.

A marketing expert focuses on expanding a brand’s presence in other nations, such as China. So, a global marketing professional may be the right job if you have extraordinary leadership abilities and want to travel.

If a corporation or brand wants to sell its product in China. And so, Chinese language skills are required for this role. Also needed are strong marketing, design, administration, and financial abilities.

To successfully lead a company’s marketing staff in China, you may need to live there.

Thus, both written and spoken Chinese abilities are essential. Besides, most of these openings would probably require a bachelor’s degree in business or marketing.

10. Brand ambassador

Many fashion brands and luxury firms worldwide often recruit ambassadors from each major country to represent their brand in the country.

Being proficient in Chinese would mean you would be a potential candidate to be a member of the brand and represent them in the local branches of China. 

You would also be an advantage as they would not need translators to communicate with local offices. It would help them boost sales and increase their brand outreach.

11. Journalist as a Chinese specialist

Journalism is an evergreen opportunity, especially for multilingual people. You could interview many people and cover events based outside your local limits.

Being a fluent Chinese speaker would give you a good advantage in the field of journalism.

Following the trend in the industry, reporting in many languages causes not just translation. But also cultural preferences, with the script requiring frequent changes in style and tone.

12. Travel and Tourism

Tourism is a big industry in any nation. So, a person who can communicate with tourists in their language will be a massive advantage for any tourism-based business.

As the world becomes a global village, knowing Chinese is a highly beneficial skill for travel and tourism professionals.

Your Chinese language skills can help you become a linguistic tour guide in either country.

Be it English speakers traveling to China or the other way around. Both would need a person who can help them communicate with the local people throughout their journey.

13. Working in a local and foreign embassy

Being both an English speaker and a Chinese speaker will benefit embassy jobs. In addition, it enables you to avail yourself of a career opportunity in the embassies of either country.

An embassy in both countries is sure to exist in the other countries.

Embassies deal with matters of both countries and the harmony of both. Hence, they are often on the lookout for people who can speak both languages.

And also bridge the communication gap to ensure smooth functioning.

14. Flight attendant and Aviation sector

We know flight attendants for their hospitality and approachability. It is common for them to be multilingual, to cater to as many passengers as possible in the best way possible.

It is a known fact that Chinese people make up over one-fifth of the world’s population. So, it would not be surprising to meet someone who can speak Chinese while traveling on a domestic or international aircraft.

Being a competent Chinese speaker may help give you an edge in getting a job as a flight attendant.

15. Content creator in Chinese

Content creation can be a great way to make good money depending on the quality and level of engagement with consumers.

Creating content that English and Chinese speakers alike can view will give you an audience of almost the entire world.

The content could be social media interactions, blogs, vlogs, and more, depending on your area of interest and skills. Of course, you would allow your creative side to flow, thus making it a choice to consider.

16. Career as a Chinese YouTuber

Those who aren’t camera squeamish can also have a YouTube channel.

In the world of online video, YouTube is the undisputed king. With the help of this platform, people globally can express their creativity and make money by creating media content.

How can I make money?

You can cover various aspects of Chinese culture as a YouTuber and teach your viewers Mandarin. As well as creating “how-to” videos, you can sell products and services.

Advertisement, promotion, and affiliate marketing can also bring in money.

Making money per video depends on many factors, including the number of views and Google Ads displayed during the videos.

For this to happen, you need large numbers of visitors and upload videos regularly. Still, because of intense competition, you will need patience as well.

Start a part-time job, and when you get a decent return, you can consider a full-time career as a Chinese Vlogger.

17. Make money by blogging about Mandarin

Can you write well and have a good understanding of China and its related things?

You could make a living as a freelance blogger in that case.

You’ll be able to write about everything from Chinese teaching to food to higher education to travel and cinema.

There are three significant advantages to blogging.

First, you will do what you are passionate about, creating content about China and the Mandarin language.

Second, it will allow you to work wherever, whenever, and however, you like.

Lastly, you can also earn a decent income.

Affiliate links, advertisements on your blog, and sponsored reviews are ways to earn money. There are so many options! Selling courses and promoting 3rd party products are also ways to make money.

As a Chinese language professional, your blog allows you to share your passion for this language. Plus, it also earns you money.

Of course, being successful requires a lot of effort.

Having a large audience and producing high-quality content is essential. But, sadly, it can take two to three years for bloggers to see any great returns.

You will then reap the benefits of a wide range of opportunities.

18. Jobs in Chinese companies

Imagine you are already working for a Chinese company or wish to work for one. Then you will have more Chinese-speaking employees around you, making it easier to speak Chinese.

Alibaba, Tencent, Huawei, BBK Electronics, Lenovo, JD, and many other Chinese companies have a big global presence. Also, you can work in hundreds of small businesses as a bilingual employer.

You will also improve your Chinese skills at work. Besides, you will receive more benefits and promotions.

This can be crucial in the hiring process, no matter what job you apply for.

You are more likely to be valued for your Chinese skills if your company does not hire you in English. You will not have a competitive advantage if you compete with someone who does not speak Mandarin.

19. Export houses and businesses

Are you interested in electronics, mobiles, consumer goods, textiles, manufacturing, construction, steel, etc.?

In that case, learning Chinese will provide you with more rewarding career options.

Selling goods around the world is the job of international sales professionals. Mandarin skills allow you to do business in the Chinese-speaking region.

Speaking a foreign language is a bonus in international sales marketing. Yet, global sales marketers deal with B2B businesses. This makes their career challenging.

You can become an effective salesperson capable of negotiating with cross-border companies. They appreciate a salesperson who can interact with clients, suppliers, and business partners.

You’ll get plenty of opportunities to travel abroad. As an international sales manager, you will also earn a handsome salary.

20. Chinese specialist job in hospitality

Besides working as a tour guide, you can also work in one of the many hospitality management centers.

Travel firms, hotels, event centers, and leisure companies can hire you as executives for their guest relations. So, brilliant minds are always in demand in this sector.

The Chinese travel and spend more than any other nation. The higher incomes, growth in the economy, and passion for traveling are behind the surge.

As a result, it is no surprise that they spend the most money on tourism globally.

Therefore, the ability to speak Chinese is a distinct advantage for many people who work in the hospitality industry.

21. Information Technology sector

Because of the globalization and growth of the Chinese economy, the demand for Mandarin language experts’ has gone up.

China is a leader in manufacturing, engineering, service, electronics, etc. But the information technology market is also significant.

China is a country where everything from buying plane and train tickets to paying and shopping is done via mobile phones. People, in general, are very tech-savvy.

The IT industry seeks talent from outside China because of the highly competitive and growing demand. Plus, their ability to connect China with the rest of the world facilitates a global presence.

China’s Silicon Valley, Shenzhen, offers a very high-paying IT career. But, foreign and Chinese workers in this field often work long hours.

To fill skilled labor shortages, China is looking to ease immigration laws.

Final Words on Careers involving Chinese

Although this isn’t an exhaustive list, it provides a general overview of jobs that require Chinese.

Now that you know how to incorporate Chinese into your work life, I hope you understand better.

With so many opportunities available, I think it would convince you to brush up on your Chinese skills and grab the one you think fits you best. 

But, irrespective of which one you pick, a distinguished career will ensue.

Learning Chinese, thus, has a lot to offer. And working in China or a Chinese-based local workplace can be an experience to look forward to.

Do you have any questions or want to share your opinions? Write in the comment below.