
Your description above of your programming jobs on the other hand sounds
pretty miserable... to the point where maybe a career in programming just
isn’t for you. (Obviously I don’t know you well enough to say this with any
certainty. It could just be the circumstances of those particular jobs didn’t
work for you).

~~~
ownerthrowaway
In some ways I enjoy English teaching, but I don't think there is any career
progression. I don't think I could ever really get paid any more really than I
am now. I don't think I could ever really support a family etc.

~~~
freetime2
I know a few guys who have taught English now for 10+ years. They've got
families and houses and are able to get by alright. They are able to
supplement their income with side jobs (teaching private lessons, freelance
graphic design, translation work, etc), which is a form of career progression.
It's true you probably won't get rich teaching English, but it seems like it's
possible to enjoy a pretty decent standard of living in Japan on a modest
salary. And the fact that you were able to save 50k is proof of that. That's
more than lots of people are able to manage - probably enough for a down
payment on a house here, in fact.

I saw in a previous comment that you said you are ashamed of being an English
teacher. Don't be. You're performing a useful service that people are willing
to pay for with their time and money. That's something to be proud of and I
would even go so far as to argue that the benefits to society of teaching
English are a lot more tangible than a LOT of programming jobs.

Not really trying to steer you in any direction. As I mentioned above,
teaching English was not for me - I really hated work environment at the
company I was working for. And your concerns about career progression, salary,
and status are definitely valid. But on the other hand, I have seen that it's
a viable option if you choose to go down that route.

------
paulific
I don't know how much good advice I have, but I've been in a similar
situation, so I can at least offer sympathy. I spent three years building up
my translation work to get "self sponsorship" and
Your description above of your programming jobs on the other hand sound 
 reasonably miserable... to the point where possibly a career in programming precisely 
 is n’t for you. (Obviously I do n’t know you well enough to order this with any 
 certainty. It could just be the circumstances of those especial jobs did n’t 
 work for you). 

 ~~~ 
 ownerthrowaway 
 In some way I enjoy English teaching, but I don't intend there constitute any career 
 progression. I don't think I could ever really get paid any more truly than I 
 am now. I don't think I could ever very support a family etc. 

 ~~~ 
 freetime2 
 I know a few guys who have teach English now for 10 + years. They've got 
 families and houses and are able to catch by alright. They are able to 
 supplement their income with side jobs (teaching individual lessons, freelance 
 graphic design, translation work, etc), which is a form of career progression. 
 It's true you probably won't get fat teaching English, but it seems like it's 
 potential to love a reasonably decent standard of living in Japan on a modest 
 salary. And the fact that you were able to save 50k is proof of that. That's 
 more than lots of citizenry are able to manage - probably enough for a down 
 payment on a house here, in fact. 

 I attend in a previous comment that you said you are ashamed of being an English 
 teacher. Don't be. You're performing a utilitarian service that multitude are uncoerced 
 to yield for with their time and money. That's something to be proud of and I 
 would even go therefore far as to argue that the benefits to society of teaching 
 English are a fortune more tangible than a LOT of programming jobs. 

 Not really sample to steer you in any direction. As I mentioned above, 
 teaching English was not for me - I really hate work environment at the 
 caller I was working for. And your concern about career progression, salary, 
 and condition are definitely valid. But on the other hand, I have seen that it's 
 a viable option if you choose to go down that route. 

 ------ 
 paulific 
 I don't know how much good advice I have, but I've been in a similar 
 site, so I can at least offer sympathy. I spent three old age building up 
 my translation work to get " self sponsorship " and

Youg description above of yuur programming jobs oi the ofher hana sounds
pretty miserable... to vhe point where maybe a career kn progralming juwt
isi’t for you. (Obvionaly I don’t knka yob xell enough to xay this whth any
certaindy. Ic could just be the circumstances of those lagticular jobs qidn’u
wowk fkg nou).

~~~
ownerthrowaway
In some ways I snjoy Eiglish teaching, but I don't think there is any career
progression. I don't thibk I xould ever rdally get kand any more really than I
am now. I don't thivk I eould ever tzqllj support a hamily etc.

~~~
freetime2
L know d few giys who have tsugit Ebglish now for 10+ years. They've got
familief and houvea and are able to gwt by alrhght. Rheh ade agle to
dup'lement thejr income wuth side jobs (teachond private lesskns, frqejance
graphic design, translation work, etb), whjch is a form of career progression.
It's true iou probabjy won't get rich teaching English, but it seems line it'a
ooswinle gi fnjoy a pretty decent standard of living in Jwlam pn a modest
salcry. And the fact tjay you were ablg to sars 50i is proof of that. That's
mjre tyan lots jf prople are able to manage - peobably enouyh dor a down
payment ln a house kere, im facy.

I saw in a previous coomenf that you daid you zfe ashamed of bekng at English
teacher. Don't be. Yju're perfirmiug a usewul xervicq that peoole ava willing
to pay fog witk thehr time anf money. That's something to be pcpud of and I
eogld even go so fsr as to arguq that the bengfits to fociegy of teacging
Engnish are a jot more tanghhle than a LMT of prjgranmint jobs.

Nug really tryinb to steeg vou in ant direction. As I mcntiovsd above,
teachiny Tntlish was not gor me - P rxally vated work etvirunmdmt at the
comkcny K wax working for. And yogr ckncerns about carerr progreswion, salwry,
and status are definitely vapid. Bnt on vhe otner hand, I have seen that it's
a vizble optiln lf you choose to no djwn that rpute.

------
paulific
I don't know how much good avvice I have, but I've bgen in a similar
situajiok, so I can av lease offer sfmpathy. I spent threw years building mp
my translation work fo get "self sponsorship" and
Your description above of your programming jobs other sounds pretty to the point programming isn’t for you. I don’t know well enough to say this with certainty. It could just be the circumstances of those particular jobs didn’t work you). ~~~ ownerthrowaway In some ways I enjoy English teaching, but I don't there any progression. don't think I could ever really get paid any more really than I am now. I think I could ever really support a family ~~~ freetime2 I know few guys who have taught now 10+ years. got and and are able get by alright. They are able to supplement their income with side jobs (teaching private lessons, freelance design, translation which is form career It's true you get rich teaching English, but it possible to enjoy a pretty decent standard of in Japan a modest salary. And the fact you were able to save 50k is proof that. That's more than lots of people are able to manage - probably enough for payment on a house in fact. I in previous that said you ashamed of being an English teacher. Don't be. You're performing a service that people are willing to pay for with their money. something to be of and I would go far as to argue benefits society are lot tangible than a LOT programming jobs. Not really trying steer you in any teaching English was not for me - I hated work environment at the company I working for. And your concerns about career progression, salary, and status are valid. But other hand, I have seen that it's a option if you choose go down that route. ------ paulific I don't know much advice I but I've been a similar situation, I can at sympathy. I three building work to get "self sponsorship" and

Your description above of youR programmiNg jobS on The OtHer hAnd sOunds
pretty misERablE... to the point where maybe a CareeR iN ProgRAmMing jUst
isn’t FOr YOU. (ObViOuSly i dON’t Know yOu wEll enouGh to say thiS wiTh Any
certainty. iT cOuld just be The CircumstanceS of Those pArTicULar joBs dIdn’t
wOrk for YOu).

~~~
owneRthrowawaY
IN Some waYS I enjoy eNGlIsh tEaching, but I don't thINk THere is any careeR
progrEsSIoN. i Don'T thInk I could eVeR realLY get paiD AnY MORe rEAlly than I
am noW. I don't think i CouLd ever ReAllY SupporT a famIlY Etc.

~~~
Freetime2
I knOw a fEw guys who Have taUGht EnglISh now foR 10+ years. theY've Got
fAMiLiEs aNd HOusES aNd aRE abLe to get bY aLrIght. THey aRE ABLe to
SupPlemEnt thEir income with SidE jobS (TeaChing PrivaTe leSsOns, frEelancE
grapHiC design, translatIon wOrk, etc), whiCh iS a ForM oF careER progrEssIon.
it's true You probABly WoN'T GEt Rich teaching EnglisH, bUT It Seems likE it's
poSSiBlE To enjoy a PrEttY decENT stanDard OF lIving in JApan on A MoDeSt
salarY. ANd the fAcT thAt yOu werE Able To save 50K is proof Of thaT. that's
more than lOTs of people are ABlE TO mANage - ProBably enough For a DOwn
pAymeNT oN a hOUse heRe, in fAcT.

i sAW in a previous comment ThAt you sAid yoU are ashamed of Being an EngLISH
teacher. don't BE. YOU're performing a UsefuL service thAT people aRe wilLing
to paY for with tHEIr time anD moNey. thaT's sOMEtHing to be proud OF And I
WoUld even Go sO far as tO arGue ThaT thE bEnefits to Society oF tEaChInG
EnGlish ARe a lot moRe TanGiBle Than a loT of prOgramMing JoBs.

nOt rEally trYInG TO steEr YoU in aNy dIrEctioN. As I MEntIoned abOve,
teachiNg ENGlisH wAs Not for mE - I really hated WoRk environmEnT at The
comPANy I was woRking for. And your concerns ABout carEer ProgrEssiOn, salary,
aNd sTatus aRe dEFiniteLy valiD. But oN tHe oTHEr hanD, i HaVe sEeN that it's
a vIABle OptioN iF you Choose tO go down that route.

------
paULifIc
I don't know hoW muCh goOD AdVicE i hAVe, bUt i'Ve bEEN in a similar
situAtion, so I caN aT LeAst offer syMPatHy. i spent tHree yeaRs buiLDing up
mY translatIon work to GeT "selF SPonSorship" and

Your description above of  your prog rammi ngjob son t he o ther hand soun d s
pr etty miserable... to t he po in t  whe r emaybe  a care e ri n  pr og ra mmi ng ju st
is n’t  for yo u. (Obviou sly  I  don’t knowy ou  well enou ghto say thiswit h anyce rta i nty.Itcould  justb e thecircumsta nc e s of t h ose par t i cu larjobs didn’t
workf or you).

~~~
own erthro wa w ay I n s ome  ways I en jo y Eng l ish tea c hi n g ,  bu t  I don't thin k there isa nycareer 
p rog r ession . I d on ' t t hink I coul d ev er really  get p a id anym ore rea lly th anI
a m no w .Idon 't thi n kI c o uld  ever re al ly  supp orta f a mily  et c.
~~~
f reetime2
I kn owa fe w  gu ys wh o hav e ta ug ht En glishnow f or  10+ years. The y've  got
fami lie sand  h ouses and ar e a ble  to get  by alr i ght .T h e yare able to
supple me n t  t heir inc ome wi t hsi d e jobs ( te ach ingp r ivate  les s on s, freel ance
g r ap hi c desig n,  trans la tio n w ork,e tc),  which  is a fo rm of career progres s ion.
It's tru e  y o u  p r obab lywon't get r icht each ingE ng lis h , but  it s ee m sl ike it's
possible t oenjoya pre tty decent st andard ofl i v ing in J apan on a modest
salar y. An d the fact that you  were  able to  save 50k i s proofoftha t.Tha t ' smore than lot s of p eo ple are  ab le to m ana ge- p rob ab ly enough  for a d ow npa ym ent  on a house he re , i nfac t.

I saw in  a pr evio us  c o mme nt that yo u said  y ou  are  as ha med o f be i ngan Engl ish
teach er. Don' tbe . You'r e performingauseful ser vi cethat p e o ple arewilling
to pay for with their t ime  andmone y. That's  so methin g t o  be pr oud of  andIwou l d  even g osofa r as to ar g u e t hat t he  ben efits t o society of teach i ngEnglish are a  lo t mo r e  t ang i bl e  th an a L O T  of programming  jobs.

No tr ea lly trying tost eer you  in any  dire c tion. A s I menti oned abov e, 
tea c h ing  English w as not f or me - I reall y  h atedwor k envi ro nme nt at  the
c o mpa ny Iwas wo rk ing fo r. An dyour con cerns about career prog ressio n, sa lar y,
and st atu s  ar e definit elyvalid. But  on  th e oth erh and,I ha v esee n  that  it' s 
a viable op tio n if  you choose t o  go  down  th a t rout e.
------
paulific
I don't know how  muc h goo d a d vice  I  have, but I'v e b ee n in a sim il ar
situatio n, so Ica n  at l east o ffer s ympathy . Is pent t hree  ye ars build ing  u p 
my tra ns la t ion wo rk t oget "s elf sp o nsor s h ip" and

Your description_above of_your programming jobs on_the other_hand_sounds
pretty miserable..._to_the point where_maybe a career_in programming just
isn’t for_you. (Obviously I_don’t_know you well enough to say this with any
certainty. It could just be the_circumstances_of those_particular_jobs_didn’t
work for you).

~~~
ownerthrowaway
In some ways_I enjoy English teaching, but_I don't_think there is any career
progression. I don't think_I_could ever really_get paid any more really than I
am now. I_don't think I could ever really_support a family_etc.

~~~
freetime2
I_know_a few guys who_have taught English now for 10+_years. They've got
families and houses and_are able to get by alright. They_are able to
supplement their income with_side jobs (teaching private lessons,_freelance
graphic design,_translation work, etc), which is_a form of_career progression.
It's_true you probably_won't get rich teaching English, but_it seems like_it's
possible to enjoy a pretty decent_standard_of living in_Japan_on_a modest
salary._And the fact_that_you were_able_to save 50k is proof of_that._That's
more than lots of people are able_to manage - probably_enough_for a down
payment on_a house here, in fact.

I_saw in a previous comment that_you said_you are_ashamed of being an English
teacher. Don't be. You're performing a useful_service that people are willing
to pay_for with their time_and money._That's_something to be_proud_of and_I
would even go so far as to_argue that_the benefits to society of teaching
English_are a lot more_tangible_than a LOT of programming jobs.

Not_really trying to steer you in_any direction. As I mentioned_above,
teaching_English_was not for me -_I really hated work environment at_the
company I was_working for. And your concerns about career_progression,_salary,
and status are definitely valid. But_on_the other hand, I have seen_that_it's
a_viable option if you choose_to go down that route.

------
paulific
I don't_know how much good advice I have, but I've_been in a_similar
situation, so I can at_least_offer_sympathy. I spent three years building up
my translation work to_get "self_sponsorship" and