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Which engineering degree for working in Japan?

peco

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2 Jun 2015
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Hi everyone,

at some point of my life I would like to live and work in Japan - not sure for how long, let's see how things will turn out. First I wanted to study International Economics with Japanese as a second language, but I don't want to base my whole education on my present dream of living/working in Japan - who knows if I still like it in a few years.

I have heard that with IE and Japanese I won't acquire any skills they couldn't get from a local applicant anyway - my Japanese will probably not get me a job and economics jobs will be very rare for foreigners, especially without several years of working experience.

So you need something that sets you apart from the local applicants, at least that's what I have read. The best university of my country is not far from where I live but it only offers technical degrees. The graduates usually get multiple job offers and maybe after a few years I could get the chance to work in Japan for some time.

My actual question is which of the following studies/courses will give me the best chances (in your opinion). On my shortlist are the following:
-Mechanical Engineering
-Industrial Logistics
-Material Science

maybe also:
-Applied Geosciences
-Mineral Resources Engineering
-Petroleum Engineering
-Industrial Energy Technology
-Polymer Engineering and Science
-Metallurgy
-Industrial Environmental Protection and Process Engineering
-Recycling

I hope you can help me.
Best regards

peco
 
Despite what you wrote in the early part of your post, you still seem intent on getting a degree only for its usefulness in Japan. Study something that interests you. If you want to work here in a non-teaching field, learn enough Japanese, and get some experience working first.
 
I would stick with something like Mechanical Engineering, and not specialise too early. Getting a good industrial placement during your degree is pretty vital these days.

(this is my assumption from where your profile says you are). If you're an EU citizen planning to do an engineering degree in an EU country, you should try for Vulcanus (a year's placement in Japan) when/if eligible. Japanese language knowledge isn't "required" (the placement involves a four-month intensive language course) - but I'm sure prior effort in language learning would be taken as a positive thing.

It is quite competitive (on the site they say 900 applicants, 120 shortlisted, 45 placed). I found this line in the application form very telling:

What relevant hands-on practical experience, linked to your field of studies, do you have?

That is, they probably want to see the sort of person who is involved with Formula Student , or who has a hobby that involves taking things apart and putting them back together, or has summer jobs that involve getting their hands dirty, or all of the above. Good marks alone won't do it (but will also be required).
 
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