Shortlisted, but unsure

[mrcharisma]

Yeah, I appreciate that reality, it's a valid point. My goal is to head to graduate school for the actual pedagogical study and degree after JET, if I follow that route, so as to achieve an actual and potentially rewarding career. What do you think of that?

Quite likely a good long-term plan but be 100% certain you want to be a teacher before doing the training. I quite enjoyed Jet, started teacher training after I got home and absolutely hated it. The ball-n-chain did the same as me but enjoyed it, got qualified and now finds teaching quite rewarding.

[hachemancour]

Yeah, I have some work experience under my belt. I'm worried about reapplying and not getting in again though. I'm also typically very pragmatic.

[mrcharisma]

I'm also typically very pragmatic.

You come across as more neurotic and insecure tbh.

[Frap]

I'm worried 25 (and 26 next month) is getting to be too old to take the risks. I'm not sure.

Are you kidding?! You're 25. That's nothing. You'll probably be working for at least another 40 years. FORTY years. Take as many risks as you like, because you have a long way to go. The most important thing is to do what makes you happy.

To quote Baz Luhrmann

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.

[Ini]

Are you kidding?! You're 25. That's nothing. You'll probably be working for at least another 40 years.

retire at 65? how ghastly

[OatsCurrySummer]

retire at 65? how ghastly

What's your secret to avoid such a fate?

[Gizmotech]

I came on JET at 28 and never left.

[OatsCurrySummer]

I came on JET at 28 and never left.

Surely something we can all aspire to.

[Gizmotech]

Surely something we can all aspire to.

It's not bad... I now make 6mil a year, just got a raise, I mean It's not all bad eh?

[OatsCurrySummer]

It's not bad... I now make 6mil a year, just got a raise, I mean It's not all bad eh?

Definitely not, that's awesome.
If this diet keeps going well and I can make it to a 24-inch waist (I was at 25 before coming to Japan), gonna try to get into modelling since foreigners are in high demand with agencies, and I've got a few photographer friends. Couldn't hurt to try (while obviously working a non-JET ALT job on the side).
Sorry to derail this thread.

In short, OP is young enough to come here and it wont be too much of a detriment to their career. Though working from home and visiting Japan on your own time sounds pretty sweet as well.

[richief_611]

Hey folks,

I've got a problem. I was shortlisted this year, which is amazing.
....
Anyway, this has been an impossible decision for me. Any thoughts or advice is appreciated.

Thank you!

hachemancour, you should totally accept your position on JET. Since you got accepted, you'll regret it if you decide to apply again, but then not get in. Since your editing job is at home, you may be able to do it part-time at least when you're in Japan. Also, this job will still be around even after JET, if JET becomes a bad experience.

JET is such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so you should take it. You'll be able to build your ESL experience, travel cheaply to nearby countries and within Japan, learn/speak Japanese, and experience a culture very unique in East Asia.

If possible, you can start or even complete an ESL degree program while you're on JET. Some people do it entirely online, and use their work experience to fulfill the practicum requirement. If ESL education is your ultimate career goal, then JET is your best option.

I say that you should at least do JET for 2 years to get the most out of it, but it's always ESID, since you may be placed randomly somewhere that you may not like.

You've taught in China before, so you know how it is. It's really great. And since you'll be 26 years old when you go, this may be your last chance to easily get accepted into the program. While age isn't that much of an issue for JET, they do mostly accept young people in their 20s. The editing job seems to be just a job, but not your ultimate career goal. You may grow tired of it after a year or two, and then regret not going on JET later.

YOLO! (You only live once) So take this opportunity to go on JET. And I have to say, Japanese kids are one of the cutest and energetic kids I have ever seen!! You won't regret it.

Some people have different experiences, but there are many people who come to Japan on JET and then never want to leave.

Good luck on your decision.

[Ini]

What's your secret to avoid such a fate?

have enough money to retire at 50, its hardly rocket science.

[OatsCurrySummer]

have enough money to retire at 50, its hardly rocket science.

Oh my god, why didn't I think of that?!

[acpc2203]

have enough money to retire at 50, its hardly rocket science.

This is surprisingly easy to do if you don't try to keep up with the Joneses and don't have kids.

[OatsCurrySummer]

This is surprisingly easy to do if you don't have kids.

Guess, I'm working until 65 then.

[mothy]

Guess, I'm working until 65 then.

Didn't use protection in your recent sex tourism?

[OatsCurrySummer]

Didn't use protection in your recent sex tourism?

Learned my lesson in high school ~ ♥

[word]

Learned my lesson in high school ~ ♥

Yeh I have a couple of exes who became intimately familiar with a coathanger, too.

OP, I was an older JET. Moved on to direct hire. I realize now that a lot of the stuff that I worried about--falling behind my peers--didn't really matter. I've got all that jazz now (wife, kid, decent career, good car, nice house). It didn't take long to catch up. I vote go for it.

Besides, Trump is probably gonna start WWIII soon and we'll all be either dead or living in some sort of Mad Max-esque apocalypse, so no worries. Might as well have a little fun on our way out.

[patjs]

You're still young, I'd do JET.

It seems like you are looking to pursue a graduate degree or some kind of different path than this editing job anyway so why not just do JET and save some money and have some fun?

[OatsCurrySummer]

It seems like you are looking to pursue a graduate degree or some kind of different path than this editing job anyway so why not just do JET and save some money and have some fun?

Because that's exactly where I was and I'm now signed on for two and a half years on this island with no intention of leaving after that. This place is a trap.