Job Discussion Forums

fmorris · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Austin, TX

Hi everyone.

Like many of you I have been bitten by the Japan bug. I am in school now and pursuing a BA in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing. I should be finished with that in about two years.

Now, I would love to go right after I graduate and I am trying to put myself into a situation to be the best candidate possible. My girlfriend (will be my wife by the time we go) will also be coming along and would like to teach as well (she already has a BA in English from the same university). We are both intending to take the CELTA class as soon as I graduate hoping that it will increase our training and appeal. Would that be highly recomended?

Also, I have applied in my local district as a substitute teacher and teacher's aide to try to get some experience in the classroom. Will that look good on an application?

Oh yeah, my girlfriend and I are also going to start taking Japanese languge classes at the local community college this spring.

I grew up abroad (all over Africa, England, and Germany) before settling in the United States. My mother was an EFL teacher the whole time, so I see a lot of value in the profession.

Do I appear to be on the right track here? I have been lurking around these boards long enough to know that some programs (like JET) are pretty competetive. Is there anything else that people might recomend to put me in the position to land a decent job over there?

We are both 25 years old right now. Will be 27(ish) by the time I graduate.

Kindest Regards!

-Franklin

pastis · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 82

Should be no problem whatsoever. Just get the BA, save sufficient cash before going anywhere. It's really not that hard to get a job. Read over the stickies or old threads to glean a bit more info, or feel free to ask any specific questions - there's plenty of knowledgeble folk on this board. Otherwise it should be fine, same goes for your girlfriend/wife.
You might even changed your mind before 2 years, that's a fairly long time...

kdynamic · Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 562 Location: Japan

You sound like a very good candidate for the JET program. JET loves people who have a lot of international experience. Go ahead and apply. If both you and your (will be) wife get in, they will place you together. If one of you gets in and you're married, the other can come too on a dependant visa and get a job in whatever area you're placed in. If JET doesn't work out (the selection process can be kind of arbitrary), I am sure you can find a job with an eikaiwa or what have you. Good luck!

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

fmorris · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Austin, TX

Yeah the whole not being placed together thing is a fear of mine. I think it would be really helpful for us to live together so that we could save money on rent (she and i have lived in a room the size of a closet before without too much of a problem).

I guess we don't necessarily have to work for the same company, so long as we are in the same city.

Thank you everybody for the input. Any other ideas?

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

You don't really want to work for the same branch office of the same company. Work together all day, same staff, same student faces, same office, and then return to your home to talk about... what? The same stuff.

Besides, management will be afraid of what happens when one of you decides to take a day off. They will probably think the other wants it off, too, so they have to fill two slots, not one.