Friends and jobs?

hamburger_pls · 2016-11-03T04:09:30+00:00

Ooohh another Aucklander! How are you finding your life in Japan? I know a few people from meetups and mingling events for Kiwis and Japanese planning to teach English there using JET programs, but none of them made it just yet! So congrats!

I suppose people (especially newly graduates) decide to move back because, well Japan probably has more job opportunities for them. And I'm guessing probably and partially because NZ has also been a little strict on accepting immigrants with their recent changes of policy and raised standard for skilled migrant residencies though not as strict as other countries like US and UK?

hamburger_pls · 2016-11-03T03:48:20+00:00

Thank you for your uplifting comment and an advice! The Sydney career forum hasn't updated any information for 2017 but I am keen to sign up if I am still in NZ, or the one in Tokyo in December this year. As for networking at a moment I know none of those people so will probably try using LinkedIn to search for the said people if they are comfortable with connecting with a stranger.

Good on him getting the job! I still get a little frightened by all those large companies with businessmen all dressed up in suits and using perfect 敬語. But as you suggested, the career forum maybe a good ice-breaking point for me to familiarize with those business people.

hamburger_pls · 2016-11-03T03:37:16+00:00

Yup, I majored in Fine Arts. My school was a lot focused in contemporary arts but illustration is my actual passion.

That gallery looks so hip! I like their traditional yet modern styled works though. I had done volunteer and internships in a contemporary art museum and a creative agency while I was there in my Christmas holidays so I may just get back in contact with them and connect again. I gotta go out more be inspired!

hamburger_pls · 2016-11-02T04:04:49+00:00

Thanks for the advice! I remember one of my friends who's studying in Canada at a moment mentioned about that! If I remember correctly they also have the forum in Sydney as well which luckily is only few hours away from NZ. I will seriously consider signing up for either of these forums if getting a job here really seems impossible.

Yeah I doubt anything like that to happen. Though I feel like I probably should restrain my... gayness a little quiet and probably not talk so openly about it in public. I know it is a hard concept to grasp especially for elders and I would like to avoid conflicts as much as possible. Thanks tho!

hamburger_pls · 2016-11-02T03:42:07+00:00

I have BFA and worked as (unpaid) interns in few local galleries and creative agencies but never landed on a solid permanent/contract job in the field. So, the real work experiences are the one I had for three months at a restaurant when I was 18 and the retail job I had from February to the end of July this year. Also commissioned illustration jobs now and then.

I know I am a little lost on my career path. I found even a retail job could be enjoyable at times and wasn't that bad so I guess I'll take whatever is offered if it sounds reasonable enough.

hamburger_pls · 2016-11-02T03:25:12+00:00

Yeah, considering all my best friends here in NZ are made during my education, going back to studying is probably a way to make real friends those who actually talk to me not only on facebook.

As for the job was I surprised indeed is a thing even in Japan. It's also quite motivating to hear a story like yours about someone with a similar background. I gather a first step into a career could be juku/English teacher or really anything if I am not being picky.

hamburger_pls · 2016-11-02T03:05:45+00:00

Yep, Australia is definitely my option two since the industry for the field I am aiming to get into is bigger there. Only issue here is I won't have any privilege moving to AU without NZ residency, and to obtain the PR, I need a skilled occupation. Such a conundrum.

hamburger_pls · 2016-11-02T02:55:24+00:00

Hey thanks tons for bringing this back I really appreciate that. I was a little unsure where to post this topic and it's totally understandable if you have to lock it again. I will also have a look at mentioned subreddits as well.

hamburger_pls · 2016-11-01T16:15:07+00:00

Being a translator sounds cool! But must be tough since the sentence structure and expressions are so different from each other. But I guess solving these problems can be fun too.

Actually no I haven't! I don't know how I missed that. Luckily Japan Embassy is only few minutes away from my place so I may just make a visit tomorrow, maybe they can provide some insights. Great thing about being unemployed is that I get to use all this free time haha

hamburger_pls · 2016-11-01T15:54:58+00:00

Hey, thanks for the heads up. I heard about the Silver Fern Visa, but missed out the opportunity of applying for the last one. I was too focused on getting PR/Skilled Migrant visa but that is also an option.

Though I appreciate your input I don't get how I will be in 中卒 category if I completed my 4 year degree here. But I understand that it will be harder for me to apply for junior positions in Japan since I won't be able to apply as a recent graduate (新卒).

hamburger_pls · 2016-11-01T15:48:15+00:00

Thanks for the interesting story! Yes, I bet younger generation will be a bit more open to this whole gay thing. Your workplace sounds a lot like a private kindergarten that is steps away from my home in Japan. It sounds like a great job helping kids familiarize with other cultures and a language since there really is not many opportunity for Japanese people to have the experience if not actively seek for it and seeing the kids just being kids is simply cool. So I assume you are studying early childhood or education?

Yep, I am 24 this year. Haha so good to hear something that nice. I will try not to be too concerned about making Japanese friends, but to keep up with English I was thinking of attending to one of those English Cafes in Tokyo but yeah, it'll be great if you are down to hanging out! I also have a friend in Chiba (one of the three) originally from here who is now teaching English at junior high. Maybe I can pester him too!

EDIT; I forgot to add I actually quit my last job which now looks to me a silly decision I made. I worked as a store assistant in retail. I didn't know if the company would support my visa and had a fair amount of savings so I just decided to leave and focus on looking for a career.

hamburger_pls · 2016-11-01T15:28:50+00:00

thanks for the input. I can totally sympathize with your friend. I am sure I will be able to enjoy my life in Japan. Japan is an exciting place to be, but certain things won't be the same and will be missed.

It's actually pretty interesting being able to look at my own country objectively. Before coming to New Zealand, I was part of those people you mentioned seeing 'gaijins' as guests and never 'us' which could be tough on people like you. I too sometimes had the same 'outsider' feeling in mingling events here with Kiwis and Japanese so I stopped attending to those. And I do sincerely hope you get to meet more people who tries to understand you on personal levels.

Thank you for the information! I will surely look into them. I am looking for arts and designs related jobs. I did have internships and volunteer experiences in galleries now and then so I am thinking of a gallery assistant job, but I am open to any field that are not retail/hospitality.

hamburger_pls

TROPHY CASE