I’ve been doing pretty extensive research on my end, but I’d still like advice maybe from those who either got hired, or those who are/have experienced my situation:
So, while I just got done with a very positive interview with JET on the 1st, I got an email from ECC saying they’re not able to hire me – which out of 5 interviews I’ve done in pursuit of moving to Japan makes 4 straight encounters with negative outcomes. I’m starting to wonder if ESL is not the way to go despite my extensive resume and volunteer teaching experience, but am concerned that any other way would require me to just straight hop back into school which is something that up until now I had considered as more of a last resort. I have a bachelor’s degree, but very little background in something like, say, IT, outside of a tiny bit of minor studies (coding, modeling, etc was what I did before my BA; but that was years ago) so it looked to me like the field of available jobs was narrowing.
In your collective experience, is entering a Master’s program from abroad something that’s attainable when you’ve been out of school for 3 years? Or should I just keep applying, and keep applying, and keep applying and then immediately as I hit the ground look for a better job in the process?
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> In your collective experience, is entering a Master’s program from abroad something that’s attainable when you’ve been out of school for 3 years? Or should I just keep applying, and keep applying, and keep applying and then immediately as I hit the ground look for a better job in the process?
I don’t understand what you’re asking – these don’t seem mutually exclusive.
If you’re trying to find a way to get to Japan no matter what, then I would advise caution and for you to take a longer view – if your career path isn’t looking very good now, it won’t look any better after a few years of English teaching (unless you want to teach English forever, in which case a postgraduate degree in education would be useful).
Anecdotally, Master’s programs are focused mostly on research and tend to be fairly flexible about a lot of things as long as the results meet the expected quality. Language didn’t seem to be of concern, either. Having said that, I haven’t personally done a masters program in Japan, only know several people who have. It definitely is beneficial in consideration for permanent residency, though.
As for teaching job prospects, you may be getting turned away for having too much experience. Most of the ESL jobs are looking for unskilled, malleable English speakers to train *their way* of teaching English. JET, however, would be more open to candidates with experience.
ESL aside, your best bet for a comfortable life would be the IT route. Tech jobs have experienced growing wages in recent years, unlike the race to the bottom in the eikaiwa industry. It might take more effort getting into the industry, but my experience has been much better since returning to tech.
I suggest not devoting time, money, and your focus on going to school *for the sake of* Japan. If you’re not much interested in IT, go to school for it, finally get to Japan with an IT job, and end up not liking living here and not liking your job… what then?
Go back to school for something you want to do. If that aligns with Japan, try doing it here. If not, go ahead and teach English for the experience–or do this before school.