Hello Everyone,
I have read through all of the posts pertaining to university jobs in Japan, and I was wondering if anyone could tell me if my plan is viable.
I’m 30 years old with a BA, CELTA, and an MA degree in Sociolinguistics and Multilingualism from a German University. I speak 7 languages, including Japanese. English is my native language. I am currently working at a cram school in Taiwan. I also happen to be autistic, however this is not obvious to anyone unless I disclose it. I want to teach in a university because it is the environment I am most comfortable in, and the work life balance would make my life significantly more manageable.
I spent three years as a JET in rural Japan from 2014-2017, so I am not unfamiliar with how Japan works. However, I am concerned about my long term prospects there due to a few factors.
1. I received a poor grade on my MA thesis due to a traumatic life event. My other grades were good, but I know I will never find a funded PhD program with this hanging over me.
2. I am 30 years old. I know how much Japan cares about youth when hiring.
3. I lost nearly 3 years of my life to the pandemic and was forced to work at a call center while trapped in rural Canada.
4. I’m gay. Getting a spousal visa is not a possibility in any way.
My current plan is to receive an MA in TESOL online from a UK university so that I can rectify what happened with my previous degree. Based on what I have been seeing, I should try to get a PhD right after. I’m hoping to do a one year full time MA program while working here in Taiwan. However, I cannot afford to do it right away and would only be able to start it at 31 years old. At worst, I’ll be 33 when I finish it (if I do the part time option). If I’m lucky enough to get a funded PhD position, I’m guessing I’ll be 36 or 37 when I finish it.
My main question is: will my age prevent me from finding a position in Japan? I hope to get at least three publications by the time I finish it. Or am I being unreasonably paranoid about my age?
My second question is: how are distance PhDs viewed by Japanese universities? While money is definitely an issue, it would certainly be nice to do the PhD while working at a university in Japan (I was thinking of applying to Westgate as soon as I finish/possibly while still doing the MA in order to rack up some uni experience so I would be in-country to try and get a direct hire job). How hard would it be to do the PhD and then try to break into the market if I leave to get it?
Do my plans sound reasonable? Or am I kidding myself? I’m starting to feel a bit hopeless, so any advice or insights would be appreciated :). I cannot continue to work at a cram school, as a 6 day work week is killing me.
6 comments
I won’t comment on the plan as you should be researching positions on 教員公募, but as far as distance PhDs, that is almost an automatic disqualification. An MA from a top 300 school and papers published in a journal with a decent impact factor or registered with Social Science Index is more important.
Personal life events and being gay or being autistic does not enter into the equation. Bring 37 is still under the magical 40, so that’s fine.
BTW: Westgate is not considered university teaching and can count against you. Get part-time positions in your area of expertise.
Wondering if the top 300 university is a major factor? I’m considering the University of Portsmouth (it’s ranked like 500 or so worldwide) because of its affordability and ability to do in one year. The program certainly doesn’t seem bad.
AFAIK, the grade on your MA is irrelevant–it’s simply that you have one. There may be some benefit to getting a TESOL MA, applied ling, etc, but IMO the best bang for your buck would be some good publications (given your self-description). Lacking publications is more important factor than your german MA being in sociolinguistics/multiling (which actually seems related to language learning).
Also, you may simply have not mentioned it, but browse the [JACET](http://www.jacet.org/job-openings/) ads, too.
Here is how I did it. I got a job teaching full time at an eikawa in Japan. This got me the visa to come to Japan and live here. Then I gradually began taking on part time teaching positions at universities until I had enough to make 250,00 yen a month which is the amount of money you need to get a professor visa. Then I switched my visa from Specialist in Humanities to Professor. Having a PhD is not necessary for university jobs but it definitely helps. Also national universities require three publications for part time employment but private universities do not.
Join your local JALT or similar english teacher chapter. Many have online meetings nowadays, so you could do this even when not in Japan. Make friends with the member professors. Let them know you’ll be looking to pick up some classes, and next hiring season, they’ll probably be able to help you out. In Japan, knowing someone is a big help.
>1. I received a poor grade on my MA thesis due to a traumatic life event. My other grades were good, but I know I will never find a funded PhD program with this hanging over me.
>
> 2. I am 30 years old. I know how much Japan cares about youth when hiring.
>
> 3. I lost nearly 3 years of my life to the pandemic and was forced to work at a call center while trapped in rural Canada.
>
> 4. I’m gay. Getting a spousal visa is not a possibility in any way.
None of this matters at all.
Hiring committees will not ask what your grade was on your thesis.
I know people who got hired for jobs in their 40s and early 50s.
I don’t see how working at a call center is relevant.
Fine, you’re gay. Given that you’re not even in Japan at the moment, the only way you’re getting in is if you get hired for a university gig from the get-go or if you take an ALT job and start applying for university work as soon as you land.