Job Discussion Forums

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

In your life's work, how does your present position rate?

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Teaching in a Japanese Jr. High School is definitely the best job I've ever had.

At least since high school.... I had a sweet summer job with a company as Vice-President in charge of parking my ass in a Barcalounger. My boss would take his daily, afternoon nap and I would do likewise... Much more so when he left on summer holidays, leaving me by myself. Then, whenever a board member would walk in, we'd try to both look really busy...

<sigh> Good times....

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

If I may ask, how long have you been at your present position?

And is it a coed school?

Just one more thing, can you give us an idea as to the duration of your work life?

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Hmm, getting personal are we? Smile

Well, I'm not about to post up my CV so you can peruse through the places where I've worked, but before I came to Japan I've worked (among others) at a telco for 3 years (high-stress, constant company/union issues), engineering consulting firm for 2 (high-stress), at a community college for 1 (program lost budget/funding)... Then in Japan, so far, I've worked at an eikaiwa for 1 (couldn't stand it), at a junior high school for 1.5 (current position).

Yes, the school is co-ed. (Public school system).

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

I only did part time jobs at university and some time in the restaurant trade (low pay, highly stressful, temperamental chefs) before coming to japan. Also worked in a finance company as an office boy in my youth. Did a stint in the Army as well (reserves, or Saturday and Sunday soldiers)

Job I have now is OK but salary has gone down since a move last year and job security is the biggest worry. Other than that its more professionally satisfying than working in an eikaiwa and trying to make ends meet.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Wasn't personal, just interested to know at what point in your work life you were able to enjoy your job, which I assume you do.

Also, I'd say that you are way ahead of the game as far job satisfaction in Japan, being happy at your 2nd position in as many years. Don't think many people could say the same thing.

On a personal note, do you think you have reached the job satisfaction plateau in Japan? If not, what position would you aspire to?

ionix- · Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 37 Location: Miyakonojo, Japan

JimDunlop2. How did you find the transition from Telco to teaching English? I am about to do the same thing. I will be arriving in Japan on August 2nd thus leaving my Telco job as a network engineer. I am sure you don't miss troubleshooting SS7 stack issue but do you miss engineering at all? If so, what do you do to keep yourself up to date and cope with such a drastic career change?

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Excellent, good luck!

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

I like mine. I work at a co-ed junior/senior high school. I don't team teach. Three one hour classes a day, maximum. It usually averages between two and three. End of term sucks because of making tests and marking them, but it's nice when it's done. My co-workers are also excellent people. I have to work less than 150 days a year, but I'm paid for the whole year. I use my free time and vacations to travel and study Japanese.

I've also worked in a Japanese software company, but I wasn't teaching. I worked on a computer project. That was also and excellent experience, but a lot less holiday time.

I don't think it's the typical experience, but my time in Japan has been excellent.

wintersweet · Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 5:21 am Post subject:

canuck, sounds like you have it made! Smile

Nice to have a positive thread for a bit.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

It is contagious!

Right-on, Canuck.

Marika · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 32

I really lucked out with my job. I teach at a private kindergarten school. You'd think working with kids aged 2-5 that not much teaching is involved. Our school is expceptional. I work with the 2 year olds and 5 years olds. Their English ability is amazing and they are so smart.
The director and his wife treat myself and the other teacher like there own children. They have been very helpful to us.
We get all holidays off plus a month of paid vacation.
We have a guide line to follow and certain books we must use but have totally freedom in the classroom.
I would have to say we are in the top percent of best jobs in Japan. I've been here for 10 months now and not once have I felt like not going into work. I've really been very lucky.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I am moderately happy at my current job. I'm not trying to be a jerk here as I know that my job (in a university) is much better than the vast majority of the teaching jobs out there in Japan. I just don't get any job satisfaction anymore and am planning my exit. The benefits have slowly eroded and certainly the job is not nearly as good as when I started 3 years ago. My take home pay is even less than it was when I started too.

I am over half done my distance masters and do get a lot of satisfaction professionally-wise from that.

All in all, I know that the basis for my lack of enthusiam is due to the nature of the Japanese uni student. They really are the worst students I have ever taught and I look forward to teaching students who are motivated and unafraid of making sounds come out of their mouth.

Sherri · Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 7:16 am Post subject:

I used to teach at a private school that specialized in training interpreters and translators, so our students were all adults, highly motivated and intermediate to advanced levels. I really enjoyed teaching them, I had great colleagues and a professional work environment. I think that is why I stayed in Japan as long as I did (almost 14 years).
Sherri