Getting a white collar job in Japan as a dropout? (for Japanese natives)

[hitotsz]

Once, some random Japanese person contacted me through Skype. He said he dropped out of Uni after 2 years because he didn't see the point (I think he said something to the effect of 'you can still get good job without Uni" but that was my guess because he had an accent)

He said he works for a company where he has to correspond with foreign customers via email in English. He had been in Canada in HS for exchange student program for a year or two.

I haven't heard from him since, so I wasn't able to ask him this question: In Japan, even if you don't have a Uni degree, can you get a respectable job at a company like he seems to have? (I guess not for gaijins)

[RobinMask]

Originally Posted by hitotsz

Once, some random Japanese person contacted me through Skype. He said he dropped out of Uni after 2 years because he didn't see the point (I think he said something to the effect of 'you can still get good job without Uni" but that was my guess because he had an accent)

He said he works for a company where he has to correspond with foreign customers via email in English. He had been in Canada in HS for exchange student program for a year or two.

I haven't heard from him since, so I wasn't able to ask him this question: In Japan, even if you don't have a Uni degree, can you get a respectable job at a company like he seems to have? (I guess not for gaijins)

My guess is that it's the same as any other country. In other words yes you can get a very good job, but no it's not going to be very likely and certainly you'd be very lucky if you did.

I know one or two people with fantastic jobs, who travel the world and get great pay, didn't go to university but did start at the bottom and worked their way up, teaching themselves all they needed to know and working hard in the process . . . however the majority of people I know who didn't go to university aren't so lucky. They work dead-end jobs, or forever seem to be on the lowest rung of the ladder. I don't see how Japan would be any different in this respect. You can get a respectable job, but it'll be a lot harder and you'll need a lot of luck - same as anywhere.

[godwine]

Originally Posted by hitotsz

Once, some random Japanese person contacted me through Skype. He said he dropped out of Uni after 2 years because he didn't see the point (I think he said something to the effect of 'you can still get good job without Uni" but that was my guess because he had an accent)

He said he works for a company where he has to correspond with foreign customers via email in English. He had been in Canada in HS for exchange student program for a year or two.

I haven't heard from him since, so I wasn't able to ask him this question: In Japan, even if you don't have a Uni degree, can you get a respectable job at a company like he seems to have? (I guess not for gaijins)

Yes.. its possible if you have marketable skills.... but as you said, it will only be for locals or someone who doesn't need any sponsorship

[hitotsz]

Originally Posted by RobinMask

My guess is that it's the same as any other country. In other words yes you can get a very good job, but no it's not going to be very likely and certainly you'd be very lucky if you did.

I know one or two people with fantastic jobs, who travel the world and get great pay, didn't go to university but did start at the bottom and worked their way up, teaching themselves all they needed to know and working hard in the process . . . however the majority of people I know who didn't go to university aren't so lucky. They work dead-end jobs, or forever seem to be on the lowest rung of the ladder. I don't see how Japan would be any different in this respect. You can get a respectable job, but it'll be a lot harder and you'll need a lot of luck - same as anywhere.

What are the fantastic jobs? I would like a job where I travel the world too. Where did they start?

[RobinMask]

Originally Posted by hitotsz

What are the fantastic jobs? I would like a job where I travel the world too. Where did they start?

The one who travels the world is the manager of the UK division of an international company that specialises in IT. They do not have a university degree, but they worked their way to the top from the bottom (to my knowledge, I've never asked them in detail). That meant going from basic repair work, to manager of a smaller division, to training in more specialised areas, etc. etc. until they are at the level they are now. They're currently working further in managerial programmes and travelling with their bosses in order to prepare for a promotion.

The others have great jobs . . . social workers, teachers who work with disabled children, etc., but these are jobs that don't require travel. There's not many jobs that allow you to travel the world on a regular basis, and to get to that level (even with a degree) you need experience and training, regardless of the job really. No one turns eighteen or twenty-one and lands a job that allows them to do everything they ever wanted.

If you want to succeed I'd say pick an area where you are talented, and either get qualified or get working hard. The person I mentioned who travels a lot is middle-aged, it took a long time to get where they are. Nothing comes easy in life.

[Nyororin]

Originally Posted by RobinMask

I know one or two people with fantastic jobs, who travel the world and get great pay, didn't go to university but did start at the bottom and worked their way up, teaching themselves all they needed to know and working hard in the process . . . however the majority of people I know who didn't go to university aren't so lucky. They work dead-end jobs, or forever seem to be on the lowest rung of the ladder. I don't see how Japan would be any different in this respect. You can get a respectable job, but it'll be a lot harder and you'll need a lot of luck - same as anywhere.

I think you`ve pretty much hit it on the head. It is possible to get a decent job, but you`ll be starting out much lower on the ladder and with much lower pay (something that lasts for most of your career, really).

In Japan, you`ll often see companies advertising positions for those without degrees but with much lower salaries.

A good example would be a something like this;
210,000/month starting salary with two 2.5 month bonuses a year for a 4 year university graduate.
160,000/month with two 1 month bonuses a year for a high school graduate.

Chances are, they`ll be doing something similar - the main difference is the pay. The high school graduate will also probably have to prove their skill more than the university graduate.

[hitotsz]

Originally Posted by Nyororin

I think you`ve pretty much hit it on the head. It is possible to get a decent job, but you`ll be starting out much lower on the ladder and with much lower pay (something that lasts for most of your career, really).

In Japan, you`ll often see companies advertising positions for those without degrees but with much lower salaries.

A good example would be a something like this;
210,000/month starting salary with two 2.5 month bonuses a year for a 4 year university graduate.
160,000/month with two 1 month bonuses a year for a high school graduate.

Chances are, they`ll be doing something similar - the main difference is the pay. The high school graduate will also probably have to prove their skill more than the university graduate.

What kind of work is that example?

[Nyororin]

Originally Posted by hitotsz

What kind of work is that example?

Base start for IT positions in medium to large companies. The start pay is actually a bit generous - you`ll see a lot more 190,000/month and 140,000/month than over 200,000s.

[MMM]

It always makes me ponder when I see people considering spending six to ten+ years getting borderline livable wages as a good alternative to spending four years getting a degree and skipping that below ground floor grind.

Also keep in mind a degree also doesn't just get you in the door, it keeps you in when the company is looking at making cuts.

[RealJames]

In the first example, that guys English speaking skill clearly had a heavy influence on his ability to get work.
Fluency in two languages, or even near native level in English with good business Japanese will land a Japanese native a petty sweet job with or without a degree.
Like Nyororin pointed out, though, at a lower starting salary.

hitotz, if you're considering this for yourself, stop considering, it just wont work without the degree.