Moving to Japan as a Software Engineer or ALT?

7 comments

1. This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.

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   **Moving to Japan as a Software Engineer or ALT?**

   I’ve been thinking about and wanting to move to Japan for a few years now and I want to start taking action. The two paths I see that could get me there is finding a software engineering job (what I do now) or try to become an ALT through something like the JET Program.

   Currently I’m a software engineer with a masters degree and around 4 years of experience, 3 of which is in finance and 1 in big tech (only reason I mention is that it’s a recognizable company, not a tiny startup). I’m kinda getting tired of my current company and the culture of “big tech” so that’s why I’m probably not going to try and do an internal transfer. I work with Python, Java, Kotlin, TypeScript, and AWS. I’ve been looking at sites like TokyoDev and Japan-Dev and skills seem to match up and obviously the pay is much better than an ALT. Although I do have savings that could help lessen the effect of the lower ALT salary but I’d still be trying to live just off what they pay for the most part and not dip into savings.

   My main concerns about being a SWE over there and why I’m thinking about trying to be an ALT instead:
   – I might be getting a bit burnt out being a SWE (not 100% sure yet but probably?) and thinking a year or so off from it might not be a bad idea. Could take any time not working as an ALT to pursue passion projects/hobbies I’ve been putting off
   – Moving to Japan I won’t know anyone and maybe I’m misguided in this belief but I think there’s a better infrastructure for meeting people as an ALT compared to being a SWE at some random company
   – Programs like JET provide more support for getting setup than other companies would I would guess

   Are my concerns above valid? If you were me what would you do?

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2. Which pays better?

   Don’t damage your lifetime earnings by going the ALT route.

   Being in Japan isn’t worth limiting your life and retirement.

3. I’ve recently been in a similar situation to you (Computer Science degree, worked in software engineering for 4.5 years), though I did my teacher training in the UK before that. I was also feeling pretty down about where I was working before.

   I’ve been in Japan since the end of February, working for a Japanese company with English as its main language. I obviously can’t tell you which to do, but personally, I wouldn’t take the huge pay cut of being an ALT. If you’re coming to Japan, you want to have the money to make the most of the time here, and relocating definitely costs money.

   Also, going with a company you’ll likely be in one of the big cities (usually Tokyo), rather than wherever you end up with the JET program – even if you don’t want the city, it may suit you better than potentially being one of very few English speakers in a small town. That’s the gamble of being an ALT.

   As for support getting set up, if the company is looking to attract foreign talent like on Japan-Dev or TokyoDev, they *probably* have some level of support available.

   I also wouldn’t assume being an ALT will give you more free time than a software job. You might be expected to contribute to lesson plans or whatever else outside of school hours. Granted, in Tokyo you can lose quite a few hours a week in the commute, but there’s also potential for hybrid-remote which I’ve found makes that a lot more bearable. Though I’ll admit, I find myself doing more hours than I ever did in the UK – though that’s possibly a sign I’m enjoying it more.

   Not sure if any of this is useful, but feel free to drop me a DM if you have any specific questions.

4. >Currently I’m a software engineer with a masters degree and around 4 years of experience, 3 of which is in finance and 1 in big tech

   With that sort of resume why on earth would you even consider being an ALT?

   >maybe I’m misguided in this belief but I think there’s a better infrastructure for meeting people as an ALT compared to being a SWE at some random company

   You *are* a bit misguided here. You’re not going to meet more people as an ALT, and the majority of the people you *do* meet will be, ya know… Children.

   >I might be getting a bit burnt out being a SWE (not 100% sure yet but probably?) and thinking a year or so off from it might not be a bad idea.

   This is really the only upside to ALTing. If you’re just doing it as a gap year/sabbatical, knock yourself out. It’s a low-pressure job that’s kinda fun. Just be aware that it’s not going to be a “foot in the door” or anything like that. If anything it will make getting a SWE job significantly *harder*, both because you’ll have been out of the game for a couple years and because ALTing is a bit of a resume taint, at least for companies in Japan.

5. You’ll already be taking a significant pay cut coming from Big Tech. Don’t make it even more significant by becoming an ALT. Continuing as a software engineer is a no brainer and better for your long term career in Japan or back home. Are you going to try an transfer internally or apply to a new company? The former would probably be best as you’ll potentially get a relocation package, similar salary, and route back home when or should you want to return

6. Choosing to be an ALT over a SWE in Japan would be a big mistake.

7. If you’re a SWE with good experience become an ALT is the dumbest thing you could do.