Brandon
What is more important: Programming Languages or Bilingual Languages when it comes to Information Technology in Business?
Currently, I am earning a degree in Information Systems Technology but plan on going into a transferable degree. What I am leaning towards is working as an administrative assistant and working my way up in the business world. Although, I am a little curious on what would suit the job better. #business-management #information-technology #computer-programming #project-management #office-administration #it-management #bilingual #system-administration
6 answers
Narendra Rawat
Narendra’s Answer
It truly depends on what type of job you are interested in doing but you should also pay close attention to what type of jobs will be available in the market in near future. As automation and robotics are penetrating the job the market, more and more future jobs will demand advance technical knowledge.
So if you want to stay into core technology field, a programming language would be a good choice but if you would like to be on the customer facing aspect of the job that involves international market, a bilingual degree would definitely help.
Mauricio Duran
Mauricio’s Answer
As a bilingual engineer in data science I can tell you from experience knowing different languages do come in handy when managing data and identifying trends according to specific markets or demographics. Spanish has been essential in my career path and would encourage you to perhaps make your choice based on priority levels. Make it a process to study a foreign language as a hobby or as part of the school curriculum to grasp the basics and make programming your priority since it is always changing or updating and can be used in conjunction with foreign languages to advance your career.
Karla Valcarcel Martinez
Karla’s Answer
Hi, Brandon! Here's my advice, try to focus on expanding your spoken and written language skills. Bilingual or even multi-lingual folks have an advantage in terms of advancing in a business career, since you'll be able to communicate effectively with a wider variety of clients or co-workers. It'll also help you in your life outside of work! You can become more social a lot more easily. Programming languages are important, but can be picked up on your free time a lot easier than a second or third language. Take it from a Puertorrican whose native language is Spanish, but picked up English and French in school. It opened up all the possibilities of working outside of Puerto Rico.
Karla recommends the following next steps:
Rani Natarajan
Rani’s Answer
For Business management in the IT world I'd say do some beginner programming classes which can be done in school or through Udacity/Coursera etc but being bilingual will open up doors and give opportunities in other countries as you move up the ladder in your career. More than programming languages I'd suggest focusing on technologies such as AI/ML (Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning) languages.
Software languages will keep changing with the technology but human language has stayed more or less the same so I'd suggest being bi/multi lingual. As others suggested there are apps for that but learning in school and spending time with native speakers is the best way to learn the language in my opinion.
subbu gounder
subbu’s Answer
For IT, of course learning few programming languages are good. But if you are working with Clients/Teams who speaks different language ,it helps to learn that language to establish a good working relationship.
Patrick Dwane
Patrick’s Answer
Hi
Great question. In my experience, as a native english speaker, having a solid foundation in programming languages is more beneficial for folks who wish to work in the IT/technology space in design and general operations roles.
If your preference is to become a customer facing business professional (and the critical element there is the customer facing piece) working in an international setting e.g. an account manager, then having language expertise will be an advantage.
Hope that helps