Job Discussion Forums

sbetchel · Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Posts: 7

This is my first post so hello to everyone! I am from the United States. I have a question regarding working as a conversation school teacher (aka NOVA, AEON, etc.). I will be finishing my bachelor's of computer science late this year and I am really considering employment as an english teacher in Japan. I have had a large interest in the Japan language and culture for a few years now, but never really considered the possibility of it happening until I read up on teaching english. Obviously this approach does not compliment my abilities as a software engineer, but I want this experience of living in Japan and enjoying life in a new country for at least a while. Also, I'll be 22 years old by the time this happens. I'll be young, but I think it's good, since I would be able to live a few years in Japan and still be <25.

So anyway, I guess my question is this: If I were to shift gears out of IT for awhile and live my life in Japan as a teacher, is there any way this could eventually lead me into an IT field in Japan? (I wouldn't want to work so hard for a B.S. in computer science to live the rest of my life as a teacher. Not that teaching isn't respectable, but my degree would go to waste.) Such as being "the resident english IT guy" at a software company? Obviously it would take time, but is this possible? Or, case 2: Is teaching in Japan something that I should do for only 1-2 years for the experience of it, say "that was fun.", then head back to the states and start my IT career in software?

If the latter is the truth, that's fine I guess, I'd still like to do it for the experience of living in Japan. But on the other hand, preferably, I'd like teaching to be my gate to Japan. Then after a decent amount of time, move on to IT in Japan, rather than moving back to the states and forgetting about Japan.

Bottem line is, I'd like to work in Japan AND put my degree to good use.

Anyone have thoughts? Thanks for your replies in advance, and nice to meet you all!

earthmonkey · Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 188 Location: Meguro-Ku Tokyo

There are definately IT jobs available for foriegners in Japan, especially in Tokyo. The most important thing is to study Japanese. Even at foriegn companies, you'll likely need Japanese skill. Lack of job experience will hurt you. But, as in America, your skills are in high demand. Do you have anything on your resume besides your degree? As you likely know, there are some websites recruting for IT jobs in Japan. You might be able to get directly into IT, instead of teaching first.

Good luck!

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

Yes, your skills are in demand, but as a fresh college graduate, what skills do you have that experienced workers don't? I know the computer market in the USA is declining. Many IT engineers are asking questions you ask, and they have work experience behind them!

The answers are the same. To get into IT work in Japan, you need the following:

plenty of Japanese language ability if you work for a Japanese company,
and skills that few others have (including the local Japanese). Imagine what a company is looking for, and they see an American with low language ability asking for a job. Too many problems for them to deal with, so they hire a local Japanese who will accept the low pay and hard working conditions, and who will be able to communicate with everyone.

If you get aboard a foreign company, you might not need so much Japanese for work, but you'll still need it for daily life. Plus, companies don't usually send fresh hires abroad, so you'd have to work there in your home country for a while.

Many East Indians seem to get hired here. I don't know how, but the IT market is becoming flooded here. Go to www.jobseekjapan.com and look at some typical qualifications, or go to www.gaijinpot.com and ask your IT questions in the appropriate forum.

Take a year or two off from IT to teach in Japan, and I think it will hurt your chances at finding a job back home more than help them. IT changes so swiftly that in a year or two, you could know completely obsolescent technology.

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

Without Japanese ability at a higher level, including reading it, you're S.O.L. Plan on doing your teaching time and returning. That's being realistic.

mrjohndub · Joined: 19 Sep 2005 Posts: 198 Location: Saitama, Japan

A bachelor's degree is a bachelor's degree. Entry level is entry level. I have a degree in architecture from a top U.S. program. So it's entry level in my field or entry level in teaching English here. You can always go back to IT, but it'll be entry level, whether it's in Japan or anywhere else. Teaching English conversation isn't really a resume builder of much consequence. I'm here for what little bit it does offer me, as I have decided to try and laterally move into a career as an educator back in N. America. The other posters are right on point about the need for Japanese proficiency to get a decent IT job here, but it will still be entry level. It sounds like for you, the best possible outcome of coming to Japan will be the satisfaction of living abroad as a life experience, and not an opportunity to expand your career options. Not to sound gloomy...

sbetchel · Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Posts: 7

Thanks for the replies guys. I am actually currently studying Japanese. By the time I would go, I hope to have it polished enough for every day experiences.

I realize that teaching at an eikaiwa wouldn't help my career in IT one bit. I just mainly wanted to use that as an entry to Japan for the working visa and maybe save a couple hundred thousand yen. Then 6-12 months after teaching, start looking for an IT position. Entry level would be fine with me, as long as it got me into the IT field so I could put my degree to use and get experience to help me get a higher paying job in the future.

Any additional thoughts?

However, I've also considered the slight possibility that I'll love teaching english and might want to make that my career. That being said, would teaching in an eikaiwa yield me teaching experience that would help me get into a better paying teaching position in the public school system, or private schools in the future? Or does eikaiwa experience alone not merit much? (aka, should I get some sort of teaching certification while working for an eikaiwa?)

These are my 2 situations I've thought about, and since i've never taught english before, I don't know if I would make it a career instead of IT, but I can't overlook the possibility of it if I want to live in Japan.

Any additional help/thoughts on my 2 situations would be helpful and appreciated. Thanks all!

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

There are lots of guys here in Japan with Japanese ability, experience and IT skills/education, and many still teach English. It's not that easy. Seems like many have given advice, and you just don't want to listen to it.

Basically, your chances are really low. If you want to do IT, stay where you are and put your degree to use. Go to Japan on a holiday.

It's not impossible, but unlikely.

As far as a teaching certification, take a one month CELTA or TEFL course before coming. It will help in many ways feel comfortable and have some training. It's only a month.

earthmonkey · Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 188 Location: Meguro-Ku Tokyo

sbetchel · Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Posts: 7

Thanks again for the post, but don't just assume that I take advice with bad news and throw it out the window because I'm narrow-minded. I don't. The posts have been very helpful and I realize that my chances at IT in Japan straight out of college are slim to none. I'm just trying to get as many opinions and as much info that I can before deciding what I should do.

In the case of deciding to teach instead and allowing my degree to become outdated, it's not a big issue. My school, like any other, updates their curriculum with current technology, and after graduation, allows me to take the updated classes for free and reflects it in my transcripts.

Anywho, thanks for the info on teaching certifications. I'll look into that. Looks like if I want to experience Japan, it will be for a short while in any case. I appreciate everyones comments.

EDIT: Thanks earthmonkey, looks like i'm getting opinions on both sides of the fence. Maybe I could get an IT job, maybe I can't. But I guess I'll never know unless I try, ne?

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

You've already started studying Japanese. Good. Now, when you can speak proficiently in a business situation (roughly level 2 JLPT) after about 3 years of daily study, you will be ready for some sort of work outside of teaching English.

If you can't devote constant, daily study to learning Japanese, you are likely not to reach that level in that length of time. Do a search for what ZZonkmiles has had to say about that.

sbetchel · Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Posts: 7

Well, I guess I have 2 choices: 1. Teach english in Japan. or 2. Stay here in the states if I want to stay IT. Fair 'nuff. I didn't expect much different.
You're right, Glenski. After considering your sheer number of posts and knowledge on different subjects around the forums, I believe I can trust your opinion on this. So thanks bunches Smile

freddie's friend daniel · Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 84 Location: Osaka-fu

Why don't you concentrate your job search on Japanese companies (or companies that have Japanese afiliates) in the U.S. That way you could get some real work experience under your belt while continuing to study Japanese in your free time. Hopefully, then, you can dazzle your bosses with your stunning language skills and put in for a transfer to Japan after a few years.

I don't know anything about the IT job market but it makes me nervous to hear a young guy like yourself planning out the next X years of his life (and possibly the most important years in terms of career) based on the notion that you might just fancy living in Japan. You might come here and love it, and never want to leave. On the other hand you might come here, invest a few years of your life in an eikaiwa, decide it's not for you, and you'll end up back home competing with younger guys for the same entry-level jobs.

Come here for a holiday, sign up for a short-term intensive language course or something and get a taster for the place before you make any big decisions.

earthmonkey · Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 188 Location: Meguro-Ku Tokyo

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

aroha · Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Posts: 66 Location: Mexico

It certainly is possible to find a good IT job in Tokyo as long as you have worked in IT for a couple of years and good Japanese language skills. Several years ago I was hired for an IT job in Tokyo. I was hired because I had a degree in Japanese and IT, plus 3 years working for an IT consulting firm. In Tokyo I worked for a small company run by an American/Japanese partnership - and it was a great experience. So keep studying Japanese, get some IT experience and perhaps make this a slightly longer term goal?