Job Discussion Forums

fishrush · Joined: 24 Feb 2013 Posts: 11 Location: Hiroshima

I am currently interviewing with a business engilsh job, and have an offer for a regular ALT in progress with all the visa fun and documents being sent in and whatnot.

My question is this; Once I am in Japan, will having an MBA help me get a better job? Or does it just look good on paper? My goal is to teach business english for a corporation and make better money. Am I naive or is this actually possible?

Thanks a bunch, random internet strangers...

steki47 · Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 1029 Location: BFE Inaka

My answer is not definitive but based on my time here. If you get a job as a teacher, the company wants you to teach English. Having an MBA may indicate some knowledge of the business world (including the specialized jargon) but it does not have much relation to the art and science of teaching English as a foreign language.

I have taught business English and I have a BA in anthropology. Nothing business related.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Case by case, as the saying goes. Ideally, that MBA will also have some work experience in your clients' field so you actually know firsthand how to apply the jargon.

hagiwaramai · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 119 Location: Marines Stadium

Business English jobs do pay better on a per hour and contract basis than most regular Eikaiwa/ALT jobs, but not that much more (roughly 1000yen an hour or 35,000 yen a month) that you'd think getting an MBA was worth it just for that, especially as you can them without an MBA and some jobs pay the same or more anyway, but if you get your Japanese to a business level, combined with the MBA it could mean a lot.

fishrush · Joined: 24 Feb 2013 Posts: 11 Location: Hiroshima

Thanks, that was the vibe I was getting. I'm interviewing with a business english school, and hoping that I'll get it instead of your traditional ALT.

Oh and I didn't get the MBA just to teach in japan Smile

, I just figured if it could help, then sweet. Just like in the US, I figured an MBA would be like an eagle scout medal, like "ooh neato" but not some mind blowing skill set that will make me some amazing employee.

hagiwaramai · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 119 Location: Marines Stadium

Good luck with it. There's one called iBec in Tokyo that advertise a lot, if you haven't already heard of them, but some of their ads are for part-time jobs where you need to be here already.