Artificial Intelligence: Getting into it

[afronathan]

Hey GP members.

My Career path is to go into AI related work. I plan to go to my local University and get this degree

http://www.undergraduate.bham.ac.uk/...comp-sci.shtml

Its a BSc in Artificial Intelligence and computer science so its broader than just AI. I do not plan to stay longer than this BSc and plan to go to 東京　shortly after

I will study Japanese and intend to get JLPT 1 to maximise my career choices and prospectives. What kind of jobs will I be able to find in Tokyo with this kind of qualification. What could the pay be like?

Have any of you experieced this career path?

Thanks
the afronathan

[ChrisElliot2000]

You'll get just about as much from a Bachelors degree in AI/CS as you will from a straight CS degree. Go for a Master's or PhD and you'll command a lot more respect$$.

When you get out of Uni find a job with a big name company like IBM and work there a couple years to get some experience, then come to Japan and you'll know what to expect.

Sounds like you've got the next 10 years of your life mapped out already. Go for it!

--With AI you can do stuff like programming traffic lights, train switches, hotel elevators, etc,... Or you could go into bot logic for games and simulations or develop expert systems to replace snooty consultants and brokers.

[afronathan]

Robotics is where i want to go

[kame_bard]

Let me just say that Fresh out of Uni grads (with no experience) have almost 0 chance of finding an IT position here - even with fluent Japanese. (something to do with Japanese companies not liking to hire foreigners - can't say much about international companies). Thats not to say they won't find a position, just that it is going to be EXTREMELY hard. Even in the US, it was much the same, those with just a degree were often times passed up for people with no degree but loads of experience in the industry.

In this market, not only do you need a degree, but you need some serious experience to go along with it - 10 years for the engineering visa (or getting married), and as someone who has their hands in the hiring process, I can say this, 99% of the Uni students (with 0 experience) suck A LOT compared to those with actual work experience (they need more training, stumble around a lot more, and since they haven't dealt with the hardships of actual development - they tend to be very bookish or sloppy in their coding/solutions). Sure they can pick things up eventually, but when you have project due 3 weeks ago, its a lot easier working with someone you don't have to spend 6 months training.

My suggestion, get the experience before coming over - either work as an intern, or work at some big name company (as was mentioned before) a few years before trying to find a job here.

Finally, as far as compensation is concerned, the pay scale here is quite a bit lower then it is for similar jobs in other countries, and the advancement potential for foreigners is limited. Your best bet is getting into an international company - as the opportunities there are not as limited. Finally, for the big bucks in IT, you really need to get into finance - and that requires financial experience...

But then again, the job market is shifting radically, and within the next 3-5 years there is going to be a ton of opportunities because of the retiring populations, by the time you graduate you may just luck out and be able to land that IT job fresh out of UNI...

[afronathan]

Thanks for the advice.

But the probelm is that I want to leave here as soon as possible, not now obviously but when i get my degree.

I have my reasonss ones that i don't want to explain but of course i should think about the practicalities. Heres to hoping that the job market shifts.

I am everyday though checking the UK embassy everyday though for scholarships for my age 16 - 17 aka sixth formers to apply for the mutual understanding.

I am not 100% on what this scholarship is since i missed it last year but i think it includes some international study

just like an FYI

anywho thanks again for the information and advise

[nonce7706]

afronathan, I haven't read all your posts so apologies if I'm wrong, but I take it you've never been to Japan?

I don't mean to sound negative, but it seems you're building your life around a place without knowing whether or not you would really enjoy it. Have you considered visiting for a few months as a tourist or on a Working Holiday Visa to test the waters before making too much of a commitment?

[edin日本]

Robotics is where i want to go

Cyberdine, in Tsukuba. You start designing exoskeleton software for the HAL and move on to the Terminator.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynL8BCXih8U

[afronathan]

afronathan, I haven't read all your posts so apologies if I'm wrong, but I take it you've never been to Japan?

I don't mean to sound negative, but it seems you're building your life around a place without knowing whether or not you would really enjoy it. Have you considered visiting for a few months as a tourist or on a Working Holiday Visa to test the waters before making too much of a commitment?

I will agree that to some extent i am. But of course i will visit there before i make such a big decision in life.

[CuriousSaint]

Robotics is where i want to go

Though I am not in Robotics, but my humble guess is that it is a strongly research oriented field, so with a PhD form a good university you are much more marketable than with a BSc, rno real experience, and very limited knowledge of the field.
Also, on long term, there are few fields in R&D where you dont hit the glass ceiling easily with only a BSc (not only CS, not only Japan).

[afronathan]

okay perhaps not robotics, but i definately want to work in IT.

phD is perhaps too long to wait

[kame_bard]

The other problem is one of visa.

Sure you want to come over right away, but in order to even be able to work, you need a proper working visa, and to get those - they take preparation more then just a degree.

In order to get the job you are wanting you will either need 1) Engineering Visa or 2) Spousal Visa.

To get the Engineering visa you will need 10 years of education/experience. Coming right out of university - this would be completely impossible. University is 4 years? That leaves you 6 years of experience you will need before even being considered for a visa.

To get the spousal visa you have to marry a Japanese girl.

The other option is to come on an intra-company transfer, but that requires you to work at least 1 year for the company before being sent into japan.

The only thing you really can do in Japan, with only a university degree (BS) is teach English. If you have a masters you can get a Management visa (if you studied management or have an additional 3 years of experience). Masters + PhD would usually take an additional 6 years or so, giving you a total educational time of 10 years - enough for the Engineering visa.

Lets say you do come over on an English Teacher visa, and then teach for a few years - how is that going to get you any closer to an Engineering Visa??