Working in Japan after college... possible?

[AlwaysPEPSI]

So, I will be studying abroad my senior year in Japan and I will have all my requirements to graduate after the year is over. I am looking to work there after I am done.

I am a sociology major, which is pretty broad and should be able to fit into a lot of positions. As of now I am looking to apply to the JET program before the end of my 1st semester in Japan so that I can possibly do the program for the 09-10 school year. Yet, this is mainly just a safety net that I would take so I could look for other jobs. My ideal job is in criminal justice, such as law enforcement. I figure that I would have to start with a smaller job in international relations, translating papers and stuff for a year or two before I was able to get my foot into the door in law enforcement/criminal justice. How would I go about finding a job like this, and what do you think my chances would be, fresh out of college? Are job fairs in Japan my best bet?

Is trying for the JET program a good idea? I'd rather bypass it and get straight to my career, but I'm not sure if that will be possible. I'm not really picky as to what job I get related to criminal justice as I know there will be complications since I won't be a Japanese citizen.

Let me know your input,
Thanks!

[MMM]

You want to be a cop in Japan?

That's a new one. I have never heard of a foreign policeman in any country, much less Japan. I think the closest you are going to get is courtroom interpretor, though there are enough native speakers who are fluent in English that us a bit of a long shot.

Go for JET, though I would double-check and make sure they accept applications from people in Japan already. Usually you apply through a Japanese consulate or embassy in your home country, and they are the ones that select you.


Good luck.

[Akakage]

Technically you can do it but it will be a bit difficult. Your going to have to fluent and I believe you have to meet the following requirements:

1. Continuous residence in Japan for five years or more
2. At least 20 years old and otherwise legally competent
3. History of good behavior generally, and no past history of seditious behavior
4. Sufficient capital or skills, either personally or within family, to support oneself
5. Stateless or willing to renounce foreign citizenship

I say technically because I pretty sure it's never been done before. Double check that information, but I'm pretty sure it's accurate. Definitely do JET as it will get your foot in the door. Once in Japan, research as much as you can about it. Try and get into the See if you can find someone who has done this before. If you can't you'll have the privilege of being the first. A true Pioneer!

Below is a brief overview of the Japanese police force a la Wikipedia

Law enforcement in Japan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

check this out to:

Japanese Police Officers

[Senshi]

I don't know about law enforcement, but you can do teaching, and possibly something in business if you have the right experience. I know of philosophy and social science majors, or even music majors who had different positions overseas and in Japan, so don't rule it out. You do need to make some contacts, because I seriously doubt Japanese would accept someone who just arrived in their very lawful country with no one to vouch for him/her.

[AlwaysPEPSI]

MMM: I apply through the embassy, but do I actually need to go there in person to hand all the forms in? I have family in Bainbridge Island, WA so they could take my forms to the Seattle one, and for the interview process I could fly to Hawaii since it's closer. Or would this not work?

Senshi: Can I get a good teaching job for 3-4 years with just a Sociology major? If not teaching then yeah, it seems like social services would be my only option, but that's usually part of the government as well so I don't know if I would be eligible for those jobs... although I believe I would enjoy them. Connections are very important... now I just have to figure out how to make those connections once I'm in Japan.

It's starting to get overwhelming right now since there is so much unknown, but this is one of my most important goals in life so I'll stick with it.
So it seems like I will definitely have a few hurdles to go through. The three main ones being:

* Holding a job in Japan for 4 years+ so I can be eligible for citizenship (requirement for law enforcement)
* Applying for citizenship
* Getting into law enforcement

I think the hardest thing is going to be getting a solid job for the 5 years that I would have to stay in Japan for to be able to get citizenship. I've always wanted to go into some sort of law enforcement career, not necessarily a police officer though, but that's usually the first stepping stone to anywhere (even though I hate uniforms!!). If I can get into JET for the year after I graduate from college then I shouldn't have a problem with fluency. 2 years in Japan and I should be well enough to take any job that is offered to me. I am very motivated and seem to have a natural talent when it comes to languages, so as long as I don't fall back on English if I'm lazy then I should be fine.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by AlwaysPEPSI

MMM: I apply through the embassy, but do I actually need to go there in person to hand all the forms in? I have family in Bainbridge Island, WA so they could take my forms to the Seattle one, and for the interview process I could fly to Hawaii since it's closer. Or would this not work?

Senshi: Can I get a good teaching job for 3-4 years with just a Sociology major? If not teaching then yeah, it seems like social services would be my only option, but that's usually part of the government as well so I don't know if I would be eligible for those jobs... although I believe I would enjoy them. Connections are very important... now I just have to figure out how to make those connections once I'm in Japan.

It's starting to get overwhelming right now since there is so much unknown, but this is one of my most important goals in life so I'll stick with it.
So it seems like I will definitely have a few hurdles to go through. The three main ones being:

* Holding a job in Japan for 4 years+ so I can be eligible for citizenship (requirement for law enforcement)
* Applying for citizenship
* Getting into law enforcement

I think the hardest thing is going to be getting a solid job for the 5 years that I would have to stay in Japan for to be able to get citizenship. I've always wanted to go into some sort of law enforcement career, not necessarily a police officer though, but that's usually the first stepping stone to anywhere (even though I hate uniforms!!). If I can get into JET for the year after I graduate from college then I shouldn't have a problem with fluency. 2 years in Japan and I should be well enough to take any job that is offered to me. I am very motivated and seem to have a natural talent when it comes to languages, so as long as I don't fall back on English if I'm lazy then I should be fine.

If you are going to apply throught the consulate in Seattle, then that is where your interview will take place. Each consulate has a certain number of slots to fill, so they they are each separate entities when it comes to applications.

Your major really doesn't matter. It's having a four-year degree that opens doors.

Are you looking for citizenship, or permanent residency. The latter is a more realistic goal. Unless you are fluent in reading and writing as well as speaking and listening, I think getting into the Japanese Police Academy might be a pretty ambitious goal. I think expecting that kind of fluency in two years is also a lot to ask of yourself, good with languages or not.

Like you said, there are all kinds of jobs within law enforcement. I think you need to think about what YOU have that other candidates don't. The obvious thing is fluency in English, but there may be more.

[Asakura]

I don't know about being a cop in Japan but if you want to be a policeman that works all around the world, apply for INTERPOL.

[Senshi]

It's difficult to make contacts in Japan when you haven't been there, but not impossible.

See if you can tutor people. One of the ways I used to study a lot of Japanese, since I couldn't take course (none were offered at my school) was just by reading, studying, buying materials, and befriending Japanese. There seem to be less Japanese exchange students now, but if you make friends RIGHT when they come to your alma mater, you can at least learn some culture and language.

Sociology is versatile, but the downside is that you aren't specifically prepared for anything. But teaching would be a good fit; I'm considering teaching myself.

[AlwaysPEPSI]

Originally Posted by MMM

If you are going to apply throught the consulate in Seattle, then that is where your interview will take place. Each consulate has a certain number of slots to fill, so they they are each separate entities when it comes to applications.

Your major really doesn't matter. It's having a four-year degree that opens doors.

Are you looking for citizenship, or permanent residency. The latter is a more realistic goal. Unless you are fluent in reading and writing as well as speaking and listening, I think getting into the Japanese Police Academy might be a pretty ambitious goal. I think expecting that kind of fluency in two years is also a lot to ask of yourself, good with languages or not.

Like you said, there are all kinds of jobs within law enforcement. I think you need to think about what YOU have that other candidates don't. The obvious thing is fluency in English, but there may be more.

So, that means I will need to fly back home (Seattle) for the interviews huh... expensiveeeee hah

And I just assumed that in order to work in the Japanese government that I would need to be a citizen. Is this not so?

Senshi: I have a sort of 'in' that should help me learn Japanese faster if I choose to stay motivated. I met my girlfriend when she was an exchange student this past year at my university and she is now back in Japan. She happens to go the university that I am attending this fall & spring so I will be able to meet a lot of Japanese students through her and so I should have many opportunities to try my Japanese out. The hardest thing is speaking Japanese to her though, it's a pain trying to say everything I want to in a language I'm not very fluent in... and it takes a long time. Not too mention you always want to look competent in the eyes of those whose opinion you respect the most... it's sort of a pride thing that I need to get past.

And one more thing Senshi, if I want to teach for those 4-5 years, wouldn't I need to get a teacher's certificate?

[Senshi]

It depends. For example I know I could get an assignment for up to 2 years w/o the TESL, past that I'm not sure.

I have the same problem, admittedly. I have a Japanese friend, but she isn't exactly a teacher I'm comfortable with. I've taught a lot of people English studying languages, so usually I have to settle for someone much less intuitive about teaching language.

If you can't find someone who you're comfortable with, because the person just isn't a good teacher or you aren't to a level you're comfortable with, you have to study on your own and find new people. Since you have gf, you can probably talk to her more easily and if she's patient then you could come to more of an understanding, but I can completely understand.

Think of it this way: it's your language skill. Do what you have to do to become a great Japanese speaker. You don't need to speak to people constantly, but you have to speak and read and write to improve.. if you're stuck in your room improving your speaking because there are too few people to talk to, do that until you can get to Japan, because your diligence is sure to pay off.