Job Discussion Forums

[JPS]

I am considering coming back to Japan to settle. My situation: No degree, but lived and taught in Japan for 18 months, 18 months ago. I am still quite undedcided about my future, but if I were to settle in Japan for good, I would want to do more than work at an eikawa, as I did before, in which case I would want to get a degree, as I know that career options are severly limited without one. So, my question is:
To get decently-paid employment at high schools or universities in Japan, is there a degree which would give me any kind of advantage, or is a degree a degree in the eyes of employers?
I would love to study Japanese as a degree, but I don't think that would help me so much in terms of employment. Conversely, is a teaching degree especially helpful? Of everyone I met in Japan, I didn't come across a single person with a teaching degree.

I realise that to work at a university, you need to have further qualifications, but I need to start somewhere.

[canuck]

I would say a degree in Japanese would be the most helpful, because almost everyone has a degree. Japanese ability is always a plus. Further qualifications, in addition to a degree can help you get a better job. Getting a good university or high school position is more about luck, the right place at the right time and contacts, in addition to knowing your stuff, doing well in the interview and work experience.

[Neongene]

My dad is a college professor and I will tell you what he had told me.

Most employers don't really care about what you took in unvirsity other then you took university for 4 years. Why? they want to know that you can stick it out for the full 4 years, it shows dedication. That is why most english employers are requesting BA's, even if you have a BA in mechanical engineering.

So in turn, if someone hires you they want to make sure your going to stick around and not drop out.

[Glenski]

It probably doesn't matter what degree you have for high school work. Japan hasn't really changed in the past couple of decades as far as that requirement is concerned. In fact, if the past couple of years are any indication, then dispatch agencies will be taking over more and more. They don't seem to want any more serious qualifications than JET or your average eikaiwa for the ALTs that they hire.

Private schools don't tend to hire ALTs, but my experience has been that they, too, don't recognize much in the way of degree majors. As long as you have a degree and experience teaching in Japan, you're qualified.

Universities are a slightly different animal, mostly because they require a master's degree in a certain subject most of the time. Moreover, you'll need publications, some Japanese, and some teaching experience here, but that only gets your foot in the door. For every opening there seems to be 30-100 applicants. On top of all that, the dispatch agencies are getting their hooks on some university jobs.

Perhaps getting some sort of business degree would be wise. With some teaching experience here already, you have 4 years to get a degree back home and perhaps even work part-time in some sort of business. That would be a nice combination for some of the more serious business English companies/schools here, and you might even learn something about how to take care of yourself for the future.

[markle]

I'll second Glenski's idea of doing a business related degree. In the school sector (primary secondary and tertiary) the opportunities are becoming more limited, due to both supply and demand. It is the business sector that will generate the the most opportunities, as companies try to internationalise their staff.

My suggestion if you want to come and live in Japan long term-

Bachelor degree in business especially International/ and or Law
as many side qualifications you can get your hands on TEFL, TOEIC instructor/examiner etc.

[JPS]

Thanks for all this. I had been thinking of a degree in international business, possibly minoring in Japanese, so what you all say reinforces this.

Markle - I was under the impression that the demand for school teachers was either on the rise or remaining constant. What you say about the business side is interesting as well, I hadn't thought of that.

[Glenski]

JPS,
Universities here are closing down and/or consolidating, so the number of jobs in that market is dwindling. Plus, dispatch agencies have gotten their claws into the univ market, too, ousting much more qualified people who may have been in their univ for years.

The market is full of teachers and teacher wannabes.

[MrCAPiTUL]

Are you sure you want to teach? If you wanted to go into business, you'd make a far better income (in most cases). In that case, get a degree in Business with a focus in MIS or Finance. You'll find jobs pretty quickly (provided you have excellent Japanese ability - passing the Level 1 would DEFINITELY be a plus in your favor).

[JPS]

MrCAPiTUL,
I love teaching and believe I am good at it, so yes, that is what I want to do. However, with no one degree seeming to stand out as being of most benefit to teaching, I think it definitely makes sense to study something that would keep other options open as well, particularly with regard to Glenski's comments. As I have only passed Level 4 so far, I would have a long way to go to get the neceesary Japanese level to do anything else, hence my interest in taking some units of Japanese. But it does seem that Business will be the way to go.

[TravellingAround]

Surely a BEd would serve you best if you are committed to wanting to teach? It would open up a lot other avenues too in many countries.

[MrCAPiTUL]

If you REALLY want to teach, then I suggest this:

Go with a BEd and become fully credentialed in your homeland. Pass all the necessary requirements and do what you have to do to get it done. From that point, you may even consider working for 2 years in your homeland to get your feet wet. That will also give you time to get a Masters in Ed or some similar discipline. At that point, you should meet all the requirements necessary for a good teaching job in Japan. Fully certified teacher, Masters degree (preferably with a publishable thesis option), your prior teaching experience in Japan, and your 2 years teaching as a certified teacher. If you study the language the whole time you are doing this, you'd be pretty good to go. Japans public school system, international schools, or universities. You'd have all the options at your disposal.