Technical Writing question

[Anonymous]

A inquiry for my future reference. :-)

Imagine someone with the following qualifications:

-Technical writing cerficate
(A non-credit one year program earned via a fully accredited university)
-Associate of Arts degree, English.
(Earned via a fully accredited university)
-Marketing Management certificate.
(Earned via a technical college.)
-TEFL Cert.
(Earned via a technical college.)

The person has a portfolio and experience. However, the one thing lacking is a *four* year degree. He has a spouse work visa so no problem there.

Now then, the question: would this person be discriminated against in the writing job market, regardless of qualifications and know-how, because of not having the four-year degree? ie: would a someone with simply the said degree be hired for a writing job over one with the above qualifcations?

According to two associates with four-year degrees who have lived in Japan, the answer is yes. I consider that to be utter B.S., but wanted other opinons from those "johnny on the spot".

Thanks for any imput.

Regards,
Oteshatori.

[Harry]

Oteshatori,
Looks like you have some good training behind you, but it depends what kind of field you want to get into. A lot of the technical wrinting jobs in Japan are science-based, so those with scientific backgrounds are more likely than others to pick up the work.

Sounds like you are very keen to embark on this type of career. I have a suggestion that may be worth following up. Apply to your old university to do a degree course by correspondence using credits from your associate courses. Apply for jobs, telling propective employers of your current situation. You may be surprised at the reponse. Any rewriting company worth its salt will give you a pretty tough test to assess your suitability for the job, then take it from there. Earning a degree somewhere along the line is necessary, but you don't always have to take the most direct approach to get it.

There are many people out there with more dgrees than a thermometer but couldn't put a decent sentence on paper. If you have a natural talent, go for it and work toward your degree atthe same time.

Do not give up.

harry

[Anonymous]

Ah! Good point about scientific backgrounds. I'll be sticking to what I know: business. Unless, of course, someone needs me to help design and write a 100 or 200 level English (not as in teaching of the language) text for school.

You suggest upgrading my associate degree to a four year degree? As you say in your last paragraph:

>There are many people out there with more dgrees than a thermometer >but couldn't put a decent sentence on paper. If you have a natural >talent, go for it and work toward your degree atthe same time.

That being said, what difference would it make? I'm not being confrontational, btw. I'm just looking for insight, advice, and clarification from someone in the know.

:-)

It would take forever to earn a four year degree while working full time and looking after the well being of my wife and kids. I know this because it took over five years to earn my associate degree on a part-time basis on top of full time work and my sons learning to crawl and evolving into toddlers. Don't even let me get into their "terrible twos!" The stress nearly killed me. But, I learned to deal with heavy stress in a positive way and would not change the past five years even if I had the chance.

I am one determined and hard-working S.O.B.

LOL!

Of course, I loved every minute of my academic studies. Everyone should do this and it boggles my mind that many don't. Shame on me for not doing the full four year degree in my twenties!

20/20 hindsight, no?

But, shame on me if I hadn't at least done the two-year degree.

However, as long there is no particular deadline involved, it may be usefull to say that I'm working on the next level of degree if a prospective employer feels that it's important. I'd probably do it anyway once the kiddos become more independant.

Do you feel it's better to be freelance or become a "one lord" samurai?
Both feel attractive to me, but I prefer to be on a "team" and be part of a greater whole. Perhaps the deciding factor would be the availability of a lord worthy of this samurai!

Anyway, any further advice would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Oteshatori.

[Anonymous]

oteshatori,

Unfortunately it's difficult to get past the degree issue. Probably a good idea to search for a job in the English teaching market (some companies will overlook the 4-year thing, as you have a TEFL cert), then start freelancing in your own time. It will be easier to make informal connections at networking events or clubs and organizations, than to try to get a writing position from the start. Build up your portfolio while teaching, and see where it goes from there.

[Anonymous]

Harry and Jocko:

Thanks!

To anyone else who reads this thread, any insights are welcome.

Another question: When one freelances in Japan, how should one go about it? I'm referring to contracts for payment, negotiation, deadlines etc.... Is there a such thing as an industry standard? As I typed that queston my common sense said "c'mon dude, what do you think?" but I'll leave it in there anyway.

Can anyone explain how they operate in the technical writing field on a freelance basis?

Regards,
Oteshatori.

[trip_hop]

Think this is getting confusing.
The 4-year degree is towards the visa requirement.

An employer can employ anyone if he feels they can do the required job satisfactorily. Certifications are one thing, atttitude and personality are also important, as well as commitment, and the ability to integrate into a different society and workplace.
Clean up your CV, focus on a job area and go for it. If you don't go out there looking for jobs, you'll never get one. If you have to go the English school way to get started, why not?

And if you have a spouse visa - why not start your own English courses - as you alluded to in your second post.

Trip Hop

[Harry]

As usual, trip Hop has worth advice. Sounds like you have your hands full, too, Oteshatori!

If you want to freelance, might be useful to network through friends and put an ad in the local paper. You would need to set up a bank account, and a website if you want to build it into a proper business, and charge about \1000-2000 per page. I'll leave that up to you but sniff around. You might be surprised at how many people need your service.

がんばってよ

Harry

[trip_hop]

Thanks Harry ! - Good point that you made - never underestimate local needs.

Any factory that makes goods for sale abroad with a pamphlet may need help, local offices, restaurants or bars wanting an English menu, local conference centre/ hotel, TV station, the list goes on. Use photocopied fliers, and make sure that you have a Mac or PC, reliable email connection, up-to-date software and a decent laser printer. Forget inkjet for this kind of work.

Think of marketing a bit - make sure your adverts/ estimates/ invoices etc all have the same style and format, include all necessary payment info, and pay by date. Money transfers here can be 2-3 months or so from submission of invoice, depending on client's admin system, so do not expect them to change for you.

Get a good spreadsheet/ accounting package to track payments, and a database to collect customer info. Easier to keep a customer than try to find a new one!

TH

[Anonymous]

Harry and TH:

A big high-5 to ya both!

Both of you have offered sage advice. TH, if someone in the biz doesn't practice what you pointed out, they won't last very long. And a reliable internet connection can never, ever, be stressed enough.
Trust me, it can't. *shudder*

Best wishes to you both and when my family and I move to Japan in a few years, (yes, we plan ahead--no sense in drifting, and we could always change course if need be) I hope we meet up and have a few laughs over a beer. Maybe two (three?) even! A shame that you can't find a good ale in Japan. It's either beer-wanna-be or a good pint of Guniness. Guess which I'll be drinking. ;-)

I don't suppose either of you enjoy shogi?

Regards,
Oteshatori.

[trip_hop]

Oteshatori - try Yebisu - a blend of German/ Japanese technology. Very good! Costs a little more, but worth it for the taste - buy it at home for the family by the crate! There are also some micro-breweries in the countryside which are improving.

TH