I’m wondering what to do about my career. I graduated from a US engineering school almost five years ago summa cum laude, but moved straight to Japan and started working. I was an English teacher, then I worked as a sort of Junior electrical engineer in a factory for 2.33 years, passed N1, and then I started doing independant translation and interpretation work (mostly in the wind industry). I want to pursue more engineering and management type positions someday, but I don’t really have enough expirience yet. I was thinking about taking the FE exam, but then I tried some practice problems and got almost all of them wrong. I couldn’t even understand what most of them were asking me or the explanations.
Are there any online engineering refresher courses or certifications specific to Japan I should look into? I know about the 第一次技術士 certification, but have any of you taken that test? What would be a good first step towards putting myself back on track?
6 comments
Master’s degree?
Wind industry is HOT atm, you shouldn’t have trouble to move up / transfer in Japanese and international companies in Japan don’t be afraid.
I am surprised you found FE exam challenging.how long ago did you graduate? Dm me your email , I can send you tons of information and resources, however most of it was Civil oriented . I passed it on my first attempt even after almost a decade after graduating
I don’t want to work in Japanese company, they pay peanuts. All the overseas based companies pay twice.
You should just clean up your resume and go job hunting.
Don’t take this wrong way – but if you value your earning power at all just take the hit and go back to the US to build a career and then try to come back later in your career.
You’ll be working for peanuts your entire career in your current trajectory.
You seemed to be doing electrical related but what’s your actual degree/specialty? If it’s material/mechanical related I might have something for you.
Are you a U.S. citizen?
If so you could try and get a job at one of the U.S. bases if your record is clean.
You can also work as a MLC if you’re Japanese.
Engineers are in high demand there and can net you around 70-100k+ USD a year and good benefits.