I finished my undergrad degree here years ago and have had a string of truly toxic jobs ever since. In an attempt to fix up my resume, I’ve been working at the same company for a year and a half now doing work I don’t like (but don’t hate). There have been…issues amongst the higher-ups that I had been mostly sheltered from up until now. But the buffer of seniors between myself and the Big Boss have all quit in succession, and as the next senior-most person at the company, I am bearing the brunt of his choices.
At this point, I know I won’t be able to stay on for as long as I had originally intended (3 years + the time it took to find something more promising). But I just can’t stomach the idea of job hunting for the umpteenth time with my resume still in the state that scares off decent companies, and seems to send the message to other places that I’m desperate and would be easy to take advantage of.
So, I’m considering going back to school. First reason being, I really regret not taking advantage of internships and the ability to work part time. If I can, I’d rather date my next job before I marry it. The second reason is that I have been living here for 9 years. I don’t want to start the 10 year clock from scratch, which I would need to do if I left to work or study for a while in a different country.
I’m torn between doing a second undergrad degree or going for my masters. I’m looking for anecdotes more than advice, but in case it matters, I am 30 (I started my first degree late).
What was going back to school here like for you? If you’re comfortable adding how long you were out of school and what you ultimately went back for (grad, undergrad, etc.), please do!
Edit;
Clarified the 10 year clock comment.
5 comments
The 10 year clock won’t reset going to grad school from working but the 2 or 3 year taxes and social insurance paid will.
In general terms a 2nd undergrad degree doesn’t seem like a good idea. A Masters sounds like your best bet to me.
Probably not really what you’re after, but if you’re looking at totally changing careers I’ve seen quite a few vocational schools/courses that will continue your unemployment payments through the course if you go to Hello Work first and discuss retraining.
I’m a masters student here (english program). I didn’t want to continue my old career (consultant for financial industry) but also didn’t want to work in the related sector like banking etc, so I decided to go for a masters degree abroad to broaden my horizons and better my resume.
In my opinion, second undergrad would take 4 years, and by that time it’s over you’d be 34 and competing in the job market with fresh grads who are 22. It’s going to be tough unless you’re deeply committed to the field you are choosing, and it’s a very specific field in which your undergrad education matters. Master’s degree however, are quite common to be taken by people in the 30-ish range, and can facilitate an industry change if you so want. In this time and age there are also other options such as like bootcamps, certifications, short term courses, fully online degrees, etc that you can take.
You thought your job was toxic? ハハハ！笑笑 You poor soul.
Get ready to be bullied at a vocational school, or junior college. Remember… In Japan, they send the people who could not make it in jr high, or high school to those colleges.
It is like being in jr high, or high school again．lol
If you do not put the bullies in their place in the first few classes where they will make fun of your accent, even if you dont actually have one, and just blatantly exert insecurities about themselves, it is going to be a long ride. And by put them in their place, I mean own them with words, and wit, not fists. They are going to try to impress the local girls at the school by pronouncing your foreignness, and how you dont belong lol.
Do you really need this as an adult? I mean you have studies in a different language, on top of all the native chest thumping that will occur. Not worth your cash. Try online education, you will be able to concentrate better, and will not be thinking about how Ryunosuke tried to make you look bad last class because he is insecure about his dill pickle.
Graduate studies are a different beast, mostly everyone there has an IQ above 60, so it should be a better experience.