Job Discussion Forums

Miyazaki · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 635 Location: My Father's Yacht

Hey all,

I just got an interview for a university teaching position in Tokyo - I think I finally got a shot at a university gig!

If the interviewer selects me, do you think they will give me my own office and access to the gym and library on campus? The company couldn't tell me which university I'll be on faculty at yet. Unfortunately, the position is only a 3 month contract. Ha, aha - looks like I now need to get myself new business cards printed up with "Professor" on them to impress the J-girls. Maybe some patches ironed on to the elbows of my brown sports jacket....get myself a leather brief case too! aha!!

seriously, though, my interview is on Monday morning and I'm a little nervous as I have never imagined that I'd get a professor position.

What can I expect?
Will it be difficult?
How are the students?

Any advice?

2008 is gonna be a great year! I can feel it.

Professor Miyazaki

BobbyBan · Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 201

How many people are being interviewed for the job? Are you sure you are going to be a professor as in head of a department?

Miyazaki · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 635 Location: My Father's Yacht

BobbyBan · Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 201

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

Miyazaki,
Definitely sounds like Westgate. So you will be their employee, not the university's. No professorship for you. I hear you aren't even allowed to hold your Westgate eikaiwa classes at the same time as the real university classes.

Enjoy the gym, though. Private offices are for real university teachers.

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan

I posted this in your Westgate interview thread, but it seems more appropriate here:

Westgate is basically a dispatch company that provides warm bodies for universities. It's about as prestigious as saying you work for any of the other dispatch companies or conversation schools.

Miyazaki · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 635 Location: My Father's Yacht

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

You haven't read their web site, have you? 7 classes per day! Have fun.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Gypsy Rose Kim · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 151

Ha, ha. Get a sense of humor, you guys!

Wasn't the part about the meishi with "professor" printed on them enough?

I really don't know that many people who are in awe of professors, anyway.

It's all about what you're wearing this season, if you ask me.

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan

Nabby Adams · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 215

If he is working at a university and teaching then doesn't that make him a professor?

Actually I guess more of a lecturer. But then again I don't think many of the guys working at unis are doing research so wouldn't that make most of them lecturers?

elamericano · Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Posts: 65

Westgate instructors are not expected to have publication records, advanced degrees, or multiple, professional academic references.

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

Nabby Adams · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 215

But why is that a big deal Glenski?

I have a few friends in England working at high schools, junior high schools etc some of them are direct hires while some of them were employed via agencies. One friend, Australian, was employed from Australia and came to the UK to work. They are all teachers as far as I am concerned.

Nursing is another profession that has similar practises.

I think that excluding Westgate teachers from being classified as professors (and isn't the vast majority of uni work teaching, lets be honest anyway) is mainly about keeping out the outsources (which I am not against) but outsourcing seems to be the way of the world these days. From "proper" teachers in UK high schools to "proper" teachers in Japan.

I say congrats to the OP is in order. He is now a professor in Japan. Smile

Oh, and the lack of research thing is just that going by the guys I've met in Thailand who taught/teach in Japan. 99%, well all 12 or so to be honest, say that they do no research AT ALL.