Graduate from college if you want to live in Japan.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Rogozhin

I wonder how useful a degree in Japanese is..

You don't need to know much Japanese to teach English and if you're going for a job that requires Japanese, wouldn't the natives be first preference as they'll be better at Japanese?

I feel you'd need to combine it with something else, or be very, very conversant with both English and Japanese (translator/interpreter level)

Although my degree in Japanese wasn't needed for my job, it sure as heck was useful for the 10 hours a day I was up and not at work every day.

[HarunoRinji]

Thank you for the informations, I owe you one ^^

[khhus]

Hi everyone,

I am in the process of finishing my degree in Software Engineering with only 2 semesters left (which translates in about a year..).

I've always been fascinated and mesmerized by Japan; Before making a broad claim along the lines of "I want to live there", I prefer visiting it first and then decide. Therefore, I planned a vacation there for about 3 weeks, next year, as soon as I obtain my degree. Call it a graduation gift from me, to me....

With that said, I was wondering if it's possible for someone in Software Engineering to obtain a Job in Japan? If yes, I take it that learning Japanese before even trying to apply is a must?

Also, do you have any general tips to give? (Knowing that I am willing to learn Japanese and that I am in the process of obtaining my 4 year degree / VISA).

Thank you for your time!

[godwine]

Originally Posted by khhus

Hi everyone,

I am in the process of finishing my degree in Software Engineering with only 2 semesters left (which translates in about a year..).

I've always been fascinated and mesmerized by Japan; Before making a broad claim along the lines of "I want to live there", I prefer visiting it first and then decide. Therefore, I planned a vacation there for about 3 weeks, next year, as soon as I obtain my degree. Call it a graduation gift from me, to me....

With that said, I was wondering if it's possible for someone in Software Engineering to obtain a Job in Japan? If yes, I take it that learning Japanese before even trying to apply is a must?

Also, do you have any general tips to give? (Knowing that I am willing to learn Japanese and that I am in the process of obtaining my 4 year degree / VISA).

Thank you for your time!

Very likely yes, but you probably want to further your study as well, doesn't have to be full time, but something to show potential employer that you have the initiative to learn more. For most software development/engineering work I found, most of them do expect you to be fluent in Japanese, afterall you will be dealing with specs that use specific terms, and they are likely to be in Japanese

With a 4 year degree, you knocked out one of the most important things "to have" already, so you are good, the last I check, the Japanese gaming and finance industry is starving for good developer, so you may have a chance, though, you have to remember, Japanese developers work LOOOONG hours... MOST of them don't have a home because they don't need one, they hide under their desk at night

[Seanus]

A university degree was a must and a second one can get you bonus money, albeit small. I got an extra 5,000Y a month for having a Masters. It's not much I know but it's better than nothing. That's your reasonably sized shop at the end of the month. You can eat a lot of sushi for that at Marine Polis, the kaiten-zushi conveyor belt place.

[godwine]

Originally Posted by Seanus

A university degree was a must and a second one can get you bonus money, albeit small. I got an extra 5,000Y a month for having a Masters. It's not much I know but it's better than nothing. That's your reasonably sized shop at the end of the month. You can eat a lot of sushi for that at Marine Polis, the kaiten-zushi conveyor belt place.

Lucky you

[kawaionigiri]

hey everyone~
just askingg
I'm in grade 9 now
and I thing I'll finish my school @ grade 10 with o level test and IGCSE
and I plan to continue my school there for my language
because I'll be able to go to university with o level test

I just wanna ask about school there
how's the fee. I don't really need the expensive one
just the cheapest..

thxx beforee xD

[KaiTea]

Hello!

I graduated from college about two years ago and figured out that the degree I've obtained was not the career path I wanted to pursue. So, I decided---Japanese translator. (Heh... x_x what a long road to take)

I just have a question:

What exactly should I do? I do not really know the necessary steps into becoming a translator. English is my one and only language. I am taking a Japanese class right now (once a week), but it is an independent language school that does not have a sturdy curriculum. Meaning, there are no tests, quizzes, worksheets nor anything in particular to reinforce what we've been taught. As of now, my class is covering chapters in Genki Elementary Volume 1. We read through the chapter, but most of the studying is done at home. I am thinking that I should go to a University and obtain an undergraduate degree (again) in Japanese and then head straight to the Linguistics Masters with Japanese Acquisition program.

If anyone has any inputs or advice, it would be most appreciated.

Thank you.

[Hatredcopter]

Originally Posted by KaiTea

I am thinking that I should go to a University and obtain an undergraduate degree (again) in Japanese and then head straight to the Linguistics Masters with Japanese Acquisition program.

If you really are set on becoming a translator, this is likely the road you'd have to take. I queried a bunch of professional J-to-E translators (mostly living in Japan) about what it takes to become a translator, and the two things I got out of it were:

1. It's very difficult to get into translating after just a bachelor's degree in Japanese -- at least freelance translating. In-house translating might be an option, but even then, there are a lot of other competent bilingual people that you'll be competing with.

2. Professional translating requires Japanese skills surpassing even that of a native-born Japanese. Four years of university study won't get you there unless you study intensively at a university IN Japan.

There are variables though, such as do you want to work in Japan or your home country? What kind of media do you want to translate (legal and medical translation jobs are the most available and highest paying jobs, whereas more 'fun' jobs like translating manga or magazines are scarce).

There are other routes to doing translation work. I do translation work, but I am not a professional translator, I'm a CIR with the JET Programme. I usually only translate short documents, and I take longer to translate than a professional translator would. For me, translation is only a small aspect of my job, and this particular job is a good stepping stone for getting some experience and possibly moving on to becoming a real translator. When I asked professional J-to-E translators about their jobs, the vast majority of them said they sort of 'fell into' translating (very few of them went through university specifically to become a translator).

Anyway, hope that helps.

[sarasi]

Translators also need a very high standard of writing in their own language, so don't neglect improving your English expression.

I don't think any of the translators I know started out with that purpose- they all, as above, "fell into" it, myself included. For one thing, if you want to work in Japan it would be very difficult to get translation work just after you step off the plane- you really need at least a few years living here, familiarising yourself with the culture and learning how Japanese is really used. Being here also helps to build up your contacts and therefore makes it more likely that you'll find translation work.

Most translators specialise in a particular type of document- scientific, legal or patents for example, so if you have no experience in that kind of field it also makes it harder to get hired.