1. Get a Masters. 2. Work at a university in Japan.

[Chriswanker]

Here's my dilemma.

Aside from the fact that I'm getting married this November, I'm also planning on going back to the States and getting a Masters in something, say Japanese, Education, or even English. On top of that, I'm also thinking on getting a TESL certificate regardless of my MA.

Once I finish, I'm planning on coming back to Japan and trying to find a job with a university. The real problem is, will it be worth it?

So, here are my questions for anyone nice enough to give advice on;

1. I've heard that a MA in Underwater Basket Weaving can get you into a university here in Japan. However, it's obvious that an MA in English or Education will be prized.

The question is, "Will a MA in Japanese do just as well?"

2. How much do most universities pay? Both private and public?

3. Is there any recommendations on NOT doing something or anything?

Your input would be appreciated.

[FG Lurker]

Aside from the fact that I'm getting married this November

Congratulations!

Once I finish, I'm planning on coming back to Japan and trying to find a job with a university. The real problem is, will it be worth it?

The answer to your question needs more information...

If you get on at a good university here and can get tenure (it is possible with a Masters, I know a guy who did it) then you are set. You'll never make huge amounts of money but you have a job for life (unless the uni closes) and the amount of work is minimal. You'll also have long holidays and access to sabaticals. You'll be expected to write books etc though, something to keep in mind if you hate that sort of thing.

However, you will be spending your life inside a stuffy bureaucracy with people who are far, far removed from reality. Personally this would drive me nuts.

If you are hoping to make lots of $$$ and retire early then university work is also not the way to go (not outside the sciences anyway).

However, you will gain quite a bit of respect in Japanese society if you have a tenured post at a good university.

Finally, if you are looking at working at a Japanese university you will want to check out Ardou Debito's blacklist/whitelist pages. You don't want to get stuck working somewhere on a contract that will see you booted out after a few years.

1. I've heard that a MA in Underwater Basket Weaving can get you into a university here in Japan. However, it's obvious that an MA in English or Education will be prized.

The question is, "Will a MA in Japanese do just as well?"

I would say that Japanese will not do just as well, but that is only a guess.

[Chriswanker]

If you are hoping to make lots of $$$ and retire early then university work is also not the way to go (not outside the sciences anyway).

Well, I'm hoping that I'll be able to rake in at least $40,000 to $50,000 a year. I believe that most universities pay this much, am I right? Other than that, what job would make more? I'm not too certain about doing just translating. I've heard many bad stories about it. But with a MA in Japanese, I was thinking that I could work for a university AND do some odd jobs on translating at the same time.

I was wondering if anyone knows anyone who's gotten this idea to work?

Finally, if you are looking at working at a Japanese university you will want to check out Ardou Debito's blacklist/whitelist pages. You don't want to get stuck working somewhere on a contract that will see you booted out after a few years.

I've seen the black list before. Pretty scary stuff!

Anyway, I really want to work for a University like Shizuoka U. Especially since my hometown and Shizuoka are Sister Cities. Recently some guy just took the position. I've tried contacting him, but he hasn't responded yet. I wonder if he'll want to move on by the time I return to Japan with my MA? Hmmmm...

[FG Lurker]

If you are hoping to make lots of $$$ and retire early then university work is also not the way to go (not outside the sciences anyway).

Well, I'm hoping that I'll be able to rake in at least $40,000 to $50,000 a year. I believe that most universities pay this much, am I right? Other than that, what job would make more?

4 to 5 million/year is not a bad salary for a single guy in Japan, but it gets tight trying to support a family on it. It's impossible to afford to send kids to international schools or even good private schools on it. Just food for thought.

If you had tenure you should be able to command at least 5 million, perhaps more -- 6 million or so maybe? It goes up each year.

You can make much more in the private sector, especially in foreign capital firms. You need a separate skill to combine with your Japanese though. You might want to use your Master's study time for that. In Tokyo or Osaka such positions would start between 8 and 10 million/year. If you are really good you could end up getting an expat package along with a salary much higher than 10 million.

I'm not too certain about doing just translating. I've heard many bad stories about it. But with a MA in Japanese, I was thinking that I could work for a university AND do some odd jobs on translating at the same time.

Translating is very tiring and mind-numbing at the same time. Well, I find it to be that way at least. Doing it to add to your income might not be a bad idea, but rather than focus on studying for an MA in Japanese I would suggest studying an area that will qualify you for a certain type of specialized translation. People who can speak Japanese well enough to translate are pretty common. People who can do it & have understanding of a specialized skill are much less common.

I was wondering if anyone knows anyone who's gotten this idea to work?

I do... I know a guy who has tenure at a university in Kyoto. He works "part time" at another university as well (with permission), and does some private company classes some nights. I don't know exactly what his salary is though.

Anyway, I really want to work for a University like Shizuoka U. Especially since my hometown and Shizuoka are Sister Cities. Recently some guy just took the position. I've tried contacting him, but he hasn't responded yet. I wonder if he'll want to move on by the time I return to Japan with my MA? Hmmmm...

If he gets a tenured position he may never leave. If he doesn't get tenure then it might not be the best place to work!! Or maybe he is just looking at it as a short-term position... Guess you'll have to hope he writes back. How did they fair on the blacklist page?

[Chriswanker]

How did they fair on the blacklist page?

Well, shit...

NAME OF UNIVERSITY: Shizuoka University (National)
LOCATION: Shizuoka City, Central Honshu
EMPLOYMENT ABUSE: Institutes Gaikokujin Kyouin system, meaning contracts for 3 years for full-time foreigners. Later data indicate that this has been cut down to two years, the maximum total of years renewable being six. This is despite Ministry of Education guidelines which disapprove of capped contracts.
SOURCE OF INFORMATION: gaikokujin kyouin no ninki ni kansuru chousa (in response to a survey from Gifu University, as of December 1997), and an emailed job announcement dated November 1999.
___________________________________________________________

I wonder if having my hometown as a Sister City will push them for a little change? Well, the only I think it would do is that it would make it easier to get the position.

As for the guy who has the position now, now that I think of it... He's coming up on his third year. I actually met him a couple months ago (that's how I got his e-mail address) and he didn't say anything about a 3 year contract. Just something to the extent that most university English teacher positions are becoming more commercialized. Meaning they are looking for companies to provide good teachers and to pay the salary. I'm currently working with a company that does the same for Jr. Highs. I believe that I would more than likely frown up on this for a University level position. But then again, it could have its advantages, right? For example; I'd probably be less likely to have any luck with unions if the University tries to screw me over, whereas a company would need to change under union pressure much faster and with less force (or at least it seems like it should be like that), wouldn't they?

Oh the headaches. I'd really like to try and avoid many of those things... Especially having to resort to a union to help me. I guess I just have to be careful when I start looking into the different options.

Anyway, thanks FG lurker. You've really helped. If you have anything else to add for advice, please don't hesitate.

[amdg]

I wonder if having my hometown as a Sister City will push them for a little change?

No, it won't. How could you think it would?

"Oh I see - this guy is from Nelson! Well, that's done it for me, he's obviously a fine candidate for recruitment. I'll tell you what, seeing as he's from Nelson and all, which is a sister city I might add, let's lay aside our semi-formal policy of using gaijin as arubaito fodder, and employ him on an equal basis! All in favor?"

If you think this is the way that Japanese will treat you then you haven't studied enough Japanese.

[Chriswanker]

[AssKissinger]

I wouldn't invest a lot of education with goal of getting a sweet uni job in Japan. Uni jobs like everything else involving ESL in this country is going down the toilet. Colleges are starting to use dispatch companies, apply the same shitty three year term limitations, offer no future and year after year it gets worse and worse. There's nothing for you there. It's fucked. A lot college and uni work is even worse than eikaiwa and ALT work as well. For the most part college kids in Japan are fucking spoiled brats. They're maturity level is like a junior high kid's. And the schools treat them like customers. They're rude as shit little cunts and you can NEVER fail them because then the school would lose their money. I know there are exceptions but more and more what I'm describing is the rule.