Questions pertaining to a career in the scientific field

[Hobo Zombie]

Hello, I've been lurking here for a little while and the urge to ask a few questions got the better of me. I don't really expect a lot of information as I'd imagine my primary question would be kind of specific, but any information would be vastly appreciated.

My most important question is: how would a foreigner go about getting a scientific career started, to be more clear, a career in biological sciences, and to be even more precise, a career in biotechnology, molecular and cellular biology, virology, or genetics? I'd have the appropriate BS, MS, or possibly PhD for the field.

And now a less important, and less needlessly complicated question: if one's university has substandard Japanese courses, what other options for learning Japanese would one have? The university I will be attending has only four semester of courses in the Japanese language.

And finally: Whenever people mention needing a degree for general jobs in this forum, do they mean a degree centering upon Japanese, or just a college degree?

Thank you very much, and I apologize in advance for my ineloquence, as its dreadfully late here.

[Taro Toporific]

learning Japanese.

Learning Japanese is to a science career....
as learning knitting is to seaslug.


(Year and years from now when you have a Nobel prize idea and need no-questions-asked funding in a quiet backwater.... then Japanese study will be of great value.)

[GomiGirl]

As somebody with a B.Sc. in Chemistry/Biochem and a career background in Biotech... the only thing that I suggest is that you get a job where-ever you are now in a firm that has an office in Japan. Work for a while and pay your dues and get a transfer.

Alternatively, when you do your MS (It sounds like you are still an undergrad) pick a supervisor in Japan.

You say biotechnology, molecular and cellular biology, virology, or genetics? This is a wide area, have you not specialised yet?

You didn't say why you wanted to work in Japan much less why you think that starting a career here is useful?

Now perhaps Dr. Ramchop (if he was still lurking on this board) would be able to shed more light. I understand he was in Japan doing his post-doctoral work at a Japanese university.

You didn't mention if you wanted acedemic work or large pharmacuetical company type work. BTW Japan has some great scientists so there is lots of competition.. especially in the Ibaraki area.

But then what do I know - I have crossed to the dark side and now work in software.

[Taro Toporific]

.... a degree centering upon Japanese, or just a college degree?

Skillz before language.
Ideally, shoot for a science degree with a minor in Japanese.
(Even if you were to become a translator, it's your skillz that will get you work. Japanese language abilities are a given: you'll need 1-kyu level to get translation work.)

[GomiGirl]

.... a degree centering upon Japanese, or just a college degree?

Skillz before language.
Ideally, shoot for a science degree with a minor in Japanese.
(Even if you were to become a translator, it's your skillz that will get you work. Japanese language abilities are a given: you'll need 1-kyu level to get translation work.)

Yup - what he said. I have minor in Japanese BTW but it was worth a fat lot of nothing the first time I landed in Japan...

[Taro Toporific]

Oh one more little thing...
Have you ever been to the Land-of-Concrete(tm) for more than a week?

No? Well then take the baka "low-quality" Japanese course and then have your Japanese teacher to PRIVATELY arrange for a D.I.Y Semester-Abroad here as "special studies" course(s). That's a much better deal than paying 1,000,000yen to Waseida or Keiyo for official Semester-Abroad.

[Skankster]

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The best way is to place an agent on the big Job boards.

For example use these keywords: Genetic, Research, Japan

[Hobo Zombie]

You say biotechnology, molecular and cellular biology, virology, or genetics? This is a wide area, have you not specialised yet?

I plan on dual majoring in my university's "Microbiology" and "Molecular and Cellular Biology" degree tracks, and according to the specifics described by the university they should prepare me for a career in those fields, I think less so in genetics, though, as there is a more specific degree track solely for Genetics. There is no Masters or Doctorate program for "Molecular and Cellular Biology", but there is for "Microbiology"

You didn't say why you wanted to work in Japan much less why you think that starting a career here is useful?

It seems like an a good place to live, for the most part. Although my views may be jaded growing up in small-town East Texas, where almost anywhere would seem better.

You didn't mention if you wanted acedemic work or large pharmacuetical company type work.

Both seem interesting, but I think that working in for a company would be my preference.

Skillz before language.
Ideally, shoot for a science degree with a minor in Japanese.

Unfortunately, the university offers no minor for Japanese, but that is a moot point as I'm going to be dual-majoring, which eliminates the need for a minor.

Thank you, everyone, for your help and please keep the advice coming.