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In2045
Joined: 16 Nov 2009
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 8:55 pm Post subject: JET vs DOD |
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I am new to the TEFL scene. I recently applied to the JET program, but before that, I applied for about 5 government jobs. I have an interview for a job with the Department of Defense next week. I feel like passing up an offer with the DOD would be a mistake but I have always wanted to go to Japan and teach. I have always wanted a government job as well. I know that this particular agency in the DOD has a location in Japan, so I could apply for any openings at any time. I don't really know what the best thing to do if I were to get an offer from both JET and the DOD. I'll definitely hear something from the DOD about a job offer before I receive an email about an interview for JET. If I took the DOD job, I'd have to move to another city and etc. I just want to be prepared with my answer (if I get an offer) but I don't want to put my life on hold just to hear about an interview from JET.
I don't know anyone who has had to make these kind of decisions (a chance to live in a foreign country or work for the government--that is) and I have no idea what would be the right step. Can anyone give me some advice? |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:03 pm Post subject: |
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Why didn't you post this in the Japan forum? No matter...
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| I don't really know what the best thing to do if I were to get an offer from both JET and the DOD. |
Obviously, you'll initially have to compare the financial rewards and perhaps even the location (which you may not know for JET until nearly time to come).
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| I don't want to put my life on hold just to hear about an interview from JET. |
You shouldn't, but you also cannot speed up the process. Sounds frustrating, but if you get a reasonable offer from the DOD, you should consider taking it, don't you think? Japan will always be here.
Many people write about choosing between JET and another job, on different interview schedules. JET is far from a certainty, of course, so don't count your chickens. JET ALTs are going down in numbers, too. Perhaps in light of the world's economy today, you might just want to take the first good offer. Pretty hard to give much more advice without knowing more about the DOD job or you. |
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In2045
Joined: 16 Nov 2009
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 2:46 am Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
| Why didn't you post this in the Japan forum? No matter... |
I was going to do that, but I didn't really think it mattered since I'm new here.
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| Obviously, you'll initially have to compare the financial rewards and perhaps even the location (which you may not know for JET until nearly time to come). |
I look at it as a way for me to get my foot in the door. The DOD position is with the finance and account agency and it pays a bit more than JET. It is obviously, very different than teaching English. I look at JET as a way to get experience teaching English as a foreign language since it is something I've always wanted to do. I volunteer at a local cultural center and I found that I like helping people learn English. I like teaching in general, though. I look at the DOD as being able to work for the federal government and being able to get access to other opportunities.
The reason why I ask these questions because I'll be 30 in two years and I'm very indecisive. I was diagnosed with a debilitating illness and I am finally getting well. I'm just tired of putting life on hold. I was an undergraduate for much longer than most people I know. I took a ton of different classes. I had no idea what I wanted to do. I'd like to get an MA in Education with emphasis on TESOL and Language Arts, but I am open to some other directions as well. I guess I am thinking about going to Japan more because I have this thing about turning 30 and thinking all my options will dry up. I know it's not true but I have family members who want me to get on with it and fast.
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| Many people write about choosing between JET and another job, on different interview schedules. JET is far from a certainty, of course, so don't count your chickens. JET ALTs are going down in numbers, too. |
Yeah, I know JET isn't a certainty but I guess I feel like I don't know which opportunity would help me the most. I know in terms of TEFL, Japan would help me, but teaching isn't the only direction I'm willing to go. Where I'm from, it's pretty rare to go to another state, let alone a foreign country. However, I know that working for the DOD would lead to great opportunities. If only I had a crystal ball; life would be so much easier.
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 10:07 pm Post subject: |
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| In2045 wrote: |
| Glenski wrote: |
| Why didn't you post this in the Japan forum? No matter... |
I was going to do that, but I didn't really think it mattered since I'm new here. |
It doesn't matter. Welcome!
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| I look at it as a way for me to get my foot in the door. The DOD position is with the finance and account agency and it pays a bit more than JET. It is obviously, very different than teaching English. I look at JET as a way to get experience teaching English as a foreign language |
That is precisely what it is, but you must also realize that JET jobs are ALTs, not full-blown teachers. You assist, and in many cases that can be as useful and time-consuming as a FT teacher, but in other cases it may be nothing more than a job as a "human tape recorder". Just working in the public school system is an education in itself, but are you trying to get that (and the MA) for a reason?
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| I guess I am thinking about going to Japan more because I have this thing about turning 30 and thinking all my options will dry up. I know it's not true but I have family members who want me to get on with it and fast. |
What options dry up at 30? I started teaching in Japan at around 40, as a change from my earlier career. Glad to hear your health is improving, but as for careers, you are still a spring chicken in the TEFL world.
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| JET isn't a certainty but I guess I feel like I don't know which opportunity would help me the most. I know in terms of TEFL, Japan would help me, but teaching isn't the only direction I'm willing to go. |
Just where are you headed? That's the key here, and I am going to guess you can't really answer that, based on what you wrote earlier about being indecisive.
JET is a nice thing to tide one over and to experience Japan. After that, though, you have to take the bull by the horns and use the experience or not. It could be as little as one year later, or as long as 3-5. |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 5:40 pm Post subject: |
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| In some places, they prefer people over 30. They're more likely to take teaching seriously, at least more seriously than new grads. |
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