Options after JET

[TAL]

I should probably post this in the “After JET” section but it doesn’t look like anyone ever checks that area. I’ve got a way to go before I finish my time with JET but I wanted to start thinking about the future now. I would love to have a job that would allow me to have some flexibility when it comes to moving between the US and Japan.
I’m sure everyone would love to have those kinds of options with their job and a perfect job like that probably doesn’t exist but I thought I’d put it out there and see if anyone knows someone who finished JET and still continues their relationship with Japan either by living and working in Japan or in their home country. I guess I just don’t want to be one of those people who comes to Japan, lives here for a few years, and then goes back home and eventually forgets Japan ever happened.

[alyacroft]

I'm not speaking from experience, but my brother taught English in Korea, China, and Japan, and he has many opportunities to travel back to those countries. He is now teaching EFL as well as English in universities and develops curriculum for ESL classes, with a bit of free lance writing on the side. I think it's possible to get a job traveling back and forth, definitely. If your Japanese is fluent, then that opens up a myriad of possibilities.
But also, I would say that even if you were to return to your home country and settle down, you will not forget that Japan ever happened. In 2005 I went to Japan for just one month and even though I had a very American lifestyle after I returned from Japan where I had little contact with Japanese culture, my experiences will greatly influenced the way I think. Like, for example, how I feel like I should bring a gift to a person's house if they invite me over for the first time. The omiyage idea was ingrained in my brain. Also, my grandfather went to Japan 50+ years ago and he still remembers a bit of Japanese as well as can recite "Momotaro."
Anyway, your experiences will shape who you are. If you don't want mediocrity, your life will not be mediocre.

[DanAkitaPA]

I should probably post this in the “After JET” section but it doesn’t look like anyone ever checks that area. I’ve got a way to go before I finish my time with JET but I wanted to start thinking about the future now. I would love to have a job that would allow me to have some flexibility when it comes to moving between the US and Japan.
I’m sure everyone would love to have those kinds of options with their job and a perfect job like that probably doesn’t exist but I thought I’d put it out there and see if anyone knows someone who finished JET and still continues their relationship with Japan either by living and working in Japan or in their home country. I guess I just don’t want to be one of those people who comes to Japan, lives here for a few years, and then goes back home and eventually forgets Japan ever happened.

This is a great question TAL. One website I would keep in mind is the grassroots JET Alumni Website: http://www.jetwit.com. It's connected a lot of former & current participants over the past year. In doing so, there seems to be a lot of good connections through the site and a big listing of job opportunities in relation to Japan. I plan on teaching when I go back, but I do enjoy following the site as it shares a lot of interesting stories about what former JET participants have accomplished. Keep your eye on the site, and you just might find the job you are looking!

Be well and good luck with your search.

Dan

[Shikoks]

Options after JET depend on your qualifications and what you want to do. It's a big ESID again.

But first you need to sit down and think of what industry you want to enter. Don't just say travel to Japan....

[DanAkitaPA]

Options after JET depend on your qualifications and what you want to do. It's a big ESID again.

But first you need to sit down and think of what industry you want to enter. Don't just say travel to Japan....

While that is certainly true, I don't think your post addressed what TAL was talking about. TAL was asking for scenarios in which people have been successful in finding work or other ways to stay connected to Japan. Many people (not everyone, but many) want to find ways to stay connected to Japan once they leave JET, TAL is certainly not alone in this fact. I think it's a good topic (What comes after JET?) to discuss, and shouldn't be swept under the ESID Rug.

We may come from many different Educational backgrounds and end up in a ton of different kinds of jobs after JET, but in the end we all leave with an experience in Japan. An experience that many people from our home countries will simply never have. It seems to me we should find ways to support each other and use/continue to build the networks that are now being developed online and locally as the number of JET alums continues to grow.

Sorry for the rant there but I thought this was worth mentioning.

Dan

[Ginny]

I have quite a few friends who are returned JETs back in Australia and they are now working in many different fields while still using their Japanese language and connections...

one friend works for the government in tourism department and researches how we can encourage more Japanese people to visit Australia, she also organises familes etc for Japanese tour companies
many of my friends are Japanese teachers at high school and therefore travel to Japan every year or two with groups of students. My husband will do this also.
one friend in a cruise ship agent and takes booking from Japanese tour companies and individuals
one friend didn't get a job using her Japanese but is the vice-president of JETAA and undertakes Japan club activities in our city (ie: she was asked to do the Japanese voiceover and narration for the city marathon last year)

Personally, I don't think there is much about my chosen career that relates to Japan and I knew this before coming here, but I do plan to join JETAA and any other Japan-related groups to keep up my language etc ... I'm also learning Koto and Yosakoi here so would love to teach or practice with anyone at home with the same interests!

[Shikoks]

I was being serious. You can't just say...'I want to remain connected...get me a job'. Then expect a Japan related dream job to fall into your lap.

First you should think hard about what kind of career you want. Business, finance, education, logistics, translation, editing, hospatility, etc.

Each career you want to enter has vastly different ways to stay connected with Japan. So it is ESID. If you can give some more specifics about what you'd like to do (other than Japan-related) we can come up with better ways to make it happen.

[Sam]

I returned back to my home country last year in August. While I haven't found a job that relates directly to Japan, I haven't forgotten Japan either. I have joined JETAA and have applied for 2 jobs at the consulate/embassy. I got an interview for one but haven't heard back from the other yet, so i'll keep my fingers crossed.

There are soo many ways you can stay connected to Japan, whether your job relates to it or not you just need to have an open mind and see where opportunities take you!

[samurai]

Take it from someone with a longer perspective, you won't ever forget Japan. I was on JET from 1996-98, so it's nearly 12 years since I came back. While I had 1 temporary job related to Japan (with Nippon Express), most of the time I've been employed in ordinary, non-Japan related jobs. But I'm a member of JETAA, I do the JET recruiting at my local university, and I still hang out on sites like this one. I still have all the manga and other souvenirs I shipped home, and a love of Japan, Japanese food, and Japanese people that has remained strong. Japan will be with me till the day I die.

[nicklar]

If leaving Japan:
http://jet-programme.com/after_jet_program.pdf
http://www.jetprogramme.org/e/current/pubs/after.html
http://jet-programme.com/jet_alumni.htm

If wanting to stay in Japan:
http://jet-programme.com/jet_alternatives.htm

Or become a rice farmer:
http://jet-programme.com/jet_alternativ ... aussierice


Ganbatte!

[Buttermilk]

I did a search online and found you could teach English via skype. I thought that was interesting but I guess you could just save money for travels to Japan as opposed to it being apart of your job.

[dakyras]

I'm not speaking from experience, but my brother taught English in Korea, China, and Japan, and he has many opportunities to travel back to those countries. He is now teaching EFL as well as English in universities and develops curriculum for ESL classes, with a bit of free lance writing on the side. I think it's possible to get a job traveling back and forth, definitely. If your Japanese is fluent, then that opens up a myriad of possibilities.
But also, I would say that even if you were to return to your home country and settle down, you will not forget that Japan ever happened. In 2005 I went to Japan for just one month and even though I had a very American lifestyle after I returned from Japan where I had little contact with Japanese culture, my experiences will greatly influenced the way I think. Like, for example, how I feel like I should bring a gift to a person's house if they invite me over for the first time. The omiyage idea was ingrained in my brain. Also, my grandfather went to Japan 50+ years ago and he still remembers a bit of Japanese as well as can recite "Momotaro."
Anyway, your experiences will shape who you are. If you don't want mediocrity, your life will not be mediocre.

I'm sure that was a pleasant holiday. Hurhurhur.

DON'T MENTION THE WAR!!!11

[alyacroft]

I'm not speaking from experience, but my brother taught English in Korea, China, and Japan, and he has many opportunities to travel back to those countries. He is now teaching EFL as well as English in universities and develops curriculum for ESL classes, with a bit of free lance writing on the side. I think it's possible to get a job traveling back and forth, definitely. If your Japanese is fluent, then that opens up a myriad of possibilities.
But also, I would say that even if you were to return to your home country and settle down, you will not forget that Japan ever happened. In 2005 I went to Japan for just one month and even though I had a very American lifestyle after I returned from Japan where I had little contact with Japanese culture, my experiences will greatly influenced the way I think. Like, for example, how I feel like I should bring a gift to a person's house if they invite me over for the first time. The omiyage idea was ingrained in my brain. Also, my grandfather went to Japan 50+ years ago and he still remembers a bit of Japanese as well as can recite "Momotaro."
Anyway, your experiences will shape who you are. If you don't want mediocrity, your life will not be mediocre.

I'm sure that was a pleasant holiday. Hurhurhur.

DON'T MENTION THE WAR!!!11

HAHA. I know, huh. I try not to mention that he was here during the war to my colleagues...

Actually I think he just liked the cute Japanese girls. He has alluded to it a time or two.