Job Discussion Forums

[That one guy]

The NYTimes recently ran a story on Japanese students who have gone overseas for part of their education. To summarize, these students find it difficult to secure employment once they return to Japan because Japanese companies value domestic education over any Western university (even Oxford or Harvard).

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/30/business/global/as-global-rivals-gain-ground-corporate-japan-clings-to-cautious-ways.html?pagewanted=2&ref=general&src=me

One graduate even felt the need to downplay his English skills: "Norihiro Yonezawa, who studied for a year at the University of Maryland, said he did not emphasize overseas experience or English skills when he interviewed � successfully � for a coveted job at Panasonic."

Since English and Western exposure are apparently seen as a hindrances, how can we encourage students to take their English classes seriously?

[Mr_Monkey]

Such attitudes will disappear in a few years when the the Japanese economy starts contracting sharply - as it must - because the population starts falling and greying.

When a company can only turn a profit if it diversifies overseas, it will diversify overseas or die.

[Glenski]

Teaching the language is one thing. Teaching culture is another. And, living abroad is also a bit different.

I agree with Mr Monkey that in essence, it is the employers who must value the simple fact that English itself is necessary, and right now, not just in the future, for the sake of business dealings. Even the smallest company in Japan might find itself dealing with foreign entities and have to use English.

If we don't focus too much on the point of the actual exposure abroad (learning business skills and strategies, that is), but communication skills alone, perhaps that will help. More than half of Japanese companies nowadays use TOEIC for a variety of reasons, too: hiring, promotions, overseas transfers. So, that is a bargaining chip in our favor.

[steki47]

[Japanology]

That One Guy Wrote:

[Pitarou]

[timothypfox]

You may be surprised, but the axe grinds both ways!

I found the same attitude amongst many prospective employers in New York City... They tend to prefer locally born and educated.

[the4th2001]

Maybe it's because I have Japanese friends who studied abroad (exchange and full time) and work for various large companies in various industries, but that article is full of spin. For better or worse, there's a recruiting system in place and if people looking for work don't go with the flow of things, they're not getting hired. Studying abroad is moot. That 30 year old would have been shot down even if he only studied in Japan. Come on, he's 30. More than likely Koga interned at Dentsu. A notoriously strict company with an intense senior-junior corporate culture. Any junior that runs his/her mouth off isn't going to get far. That Sato guy was asked to go to Tokyo for further interviewing. How is that being penalized for studying abroad?

[rxk22]

[Inflames]

I posted my opinion regarding this article in detail elsewhere but basically I don't agree with the article at all. HR in Japanese companies is terrible but the article doesn't mention the reasons for that at all.

The article mentions some consultant from Osaka that was interviewed - I looked him up online (not too difficult to find at all) and basically the guy is in his 20s, quit his job after 2 years and then started his web design / consulting business.

The intern - he said his boss was wrong at a meeting with a client. People with that kind of attitude won't get far in any country.

At my work we have students who study abroad and we've had a few who went to a school overseas first (but, for various reasons, didn't finish). They're almost always among the first to get job offers.

[G Cthulhu]

[rxk22]

Crap, find me a place where HR isn't crappy/sucky/make terrible choices all the time, and I'll be shocked.

[teacheratlarge]

[G Cthulhu]

[Inflames]