Job Discussion Forums

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

Right this is a bit long, so bear with me.

I worked in Japan for several years at a language school like most of you lot. I came home to do my MA so I could go back and work at a university for more money. Along the way I also did a PGCE (teaching license).

I've been working at UK colleges for several years, hourly paid and through agencies, teaching young refugees mostly. Hard and stressful, sometimes rewarding, but pretty low-level stuff. Anyway, I applied for my dream job in Japan at a good university as I was fed up with hourly-paid work with no job security. Low and behold I've got a job starting in April at a good university. The contract is for one year, renewable for up to three. Great.

But hang on, that job starts next April so in the meantime I had to find a job here. As permanent jobs are like gold-dust I presumed I would be looking at doing around 25 hours a week on termly-contract. I applied for a permanent, fully tenured position at a college and, to my surprise, I was offered it instantly.

Now I have a dilemma, turn down the job in Japan for the sake of job security in the UK, or take the job in Japan and quit my UK job next March. like I said permanent positions in the Uk like this are very hard to get at the moment. But having said that the college sector is not where I want to be in a few years. Ideally I'd like to have completed, or be on the way to completing my PhD so I can teach sociolinguistics rather than TEFL/TESOL. The research for my MA was on Japanese language teaching.

I've been toying with the idea of doing the college job for a year or two and then taking a sabbatical, but as both jobs are sitting on a plate for me right now I'd like some experienced opinions on what to do.

I also toyed with the idea of accepting the Japan job and then seeing if I enjoyed my new UK position. However this would probably result in one of the institutions being pretty annoyed.

I've added a poll for a bit of fun. Over to you Very Happy

seklarwia · Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 4:34 pm Post subject:

Why is there only 2 option to choose from, yet 3 options in the results?

Maybe you should look at other factors, like where do you really want to be living? And do have a partner or family to consider?

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

No family or partner to consider. I bought a house, but I can easily let that out for a year or more.

I love living in Japan. I would love to settle in the UK long-term however. Having my own house kind of solves that problem.

Really I want to work in higher education. Teaching at universities abroad is a good way to get experience in the sector and at the same time I get to spend a few more years in Japan.

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

Find something to tide you over till next April.

Spend your time wisely in Japan. Figure out what you can do during that time (background research for a PhD thesis, for example).

Research more about where you can end up in the UK from now till you return from Japan. Seems like you have plenty of time for all of that.

The only troublesome thing is dealing with the house while you are abroad.

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

Permanent jobs in the UK are like gold-dust.
University jobs in Japan aren't.

Your plan is to settle in the UK for the long term. You have an offer for a permanent job in the UK- something that is very, very rare.

There are one year (renewable for up to three) year jobs at universities in Japan offered every year. They aren't that rare for someone with your qualifications and experience.

It sort of sounds like you want to do the Japan job, but understand that it probably isn't the right thing to do, so you want people to tell you to go to Japan. And so some people are telling you to go to Japan and the poll is showing that you should stay in the UK.

I think you should do yourself and your career a favour and stay in the UK. Visit Japan off and on and try to get a sabbatical after a few years so that you could teach at a Japanese university (calling it 'furthering your research') for at least a year and still be able to go back to the UK for the rare as gold-dust permanent position.

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

I think the security issue may be a large factor (especially in the current job market), though the OP said he later wants to change the department he will be teaching in.

desu · Joined: 14 Apr 2009 Posts: 38

You should at least start the job and wait and see if you like it before deciding. A good salary could afford many trips to Japan if you do!

dove · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 271 Location: USA/Japan

You wrote that you prefer university jobs because it's a more stimulating environment, that it's hard to have a conversation with students who have smuggled themselves out of their countries and can barely speak a word.

Have you ever taught Japanese university students? Working at a Japanese university has so many benefits. Actually teaching the students is not one of them.

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

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

OK, I declined the university job and am having great fun at my new college.

Looks like I'll have to live my Japanese career vicariously through you lot for a little while longer.

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

Japan will always be here. Look for ways to come here later, whether it be through a one-year contract or by participating in a conference in Japan.

I think you made the right decision. I also think it's good that you are thinking ahead to your next steps further down the road. Needless to say, that's always a smart move.

Best of luck and see you in Japan in a few years!

Regards,
fat_chris