LunaDragon
Registered
- 20 Aug 2016
- 20
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- #26
It wasn't ignored; it was assumed that your question was rhetorical, meant for introspection on my part to assist me in developing a plan.At the risk of having it ignored again, I'll ask again:
What is it you are interested in studying here and what sort of work are you interested in doing here?
So let me tell you what I CAN do, and you can sit there and laugh at me. (Another assumption I made, based on how I perceive your attitude when you post)
I can troubleshoot software and possibly resolve most issues. I'm rather adept when it comes to the Microsoft Office suite, and I'm not just referring to Word and Excel but also Access. I regularly use a Mac without Microsoft Office software, and I know my way around Pages and Numbers. I don't get into the hardware aspect, but I do know the difference between RAM and ROM, I know what a processor is and what a graphics card is for, and I know the dangers of static electricity, just to name a few things. I know the basics of home networking, and I can magically resurrect a wi-fi signal. My AAS is in Information Technology with an emphasis on Multimedia, and I think I only succeeded because I knew how to use Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, and 3DStudio. I've had a couple jobs in tech support, where I sit in a call center and either remotely control a user's computer or I verbally walk them through procedures. As a girl doing tech support, I have had the rare customer who believed I must be some kind of receptionist who'll direct the call to the appropriate department.
I also have more time in retail than I want to admit. Because of having retail jobs, I have excellent time management skills, and know when to delegate tasks if need be. I've aided my coworkers in their duties and taught a few things I've learned over the years. I'm excellent at multi-tasking, knowing when to put my focus on something more important and resuming my previous task when I'm able. I remain patient and calm even in stressful situations, and have actually laughed when managers asked how I was holding up after dealing with an unusually irate customer who kept criticizing me. I was actually promoted to low-level management before personal reasons forced me to move out of the area. Oh, and I scan and bag well, and I do a good job of walking around and asking if customers need help, but I figured that much was obvious by saying I've worked retail. I just wanted to add a few things that are less obvious.
So what would I like to do?
I do like office work. I've never aspired to becoming a secretary, and I think the whole feminist movement over here would tell me not to settle on that when I could be the CEO. Earlier this year, I worked at a law office and helped the paralegal by scanning documents, putting them into folders, and complaining about how screwed up the alphabetization is of all the existing folders and how I can't find anything. I looked at the paralegal's job and saw it as something I could do, although she didn't appear to be more than a receptionist, which is still something I could do.
I don't mind working retail, but it doesn't pay well unless you're an assistant store manager. Would I mind working retail in Japan? No, I wouldn't mind, especially if I was in a popular tourist spot and my English fluency meant I'd be an asset to the store. If I need a job in Japan and any one will do, I'll do retail.
My aspirations of "going to Japan one day" turned into "looking for work in Japan" when reading someone's tale of being an ALT and thinking I could be an ALT as well. From what I understand, an ALT doesn't need to know Japanese, but a willingness to learn the language is a plus. An ALT is there to speak and write English to help the class become more fluent, by assisting the teacher of the class. However, I don't have a bachelor's degree, as we all know, which is a requirement to become an ALT. I certainly wouldn't mind being some kind of assistance to anyone trying to improve their English-language skills, even if I'm not necessarily an ALT.
I know I'm not the only American wanting to go to Japan, in fact I have a few friends who haven't been yet and one who wants to go back. If there's anything in the realm of tourism that I can do, I'll do it. I'm sure some hotels would like an extra English-speaker working the front desk. I wouldn't mind being a tour guide. I don't want to take a job away from a Japanese person, I'd rather assist in communicating between foreigners and natives.
As for studies, I wouldn't mind becoming a teacher. My significant other's mom has been a bit of an inspiration, as she teaches students who have learning impairments such as ADHD. I'd be interested in teaching literature as well as the English language.
I'm also interested in learning to prepare food as artistically as what I've seen. If that means just working at a place that adds some style to regular Japanese food, that would be fun. I don't want to make sophisticated food, I'm satisfied with just knowing how to make ramen and okonomiyaki and such but I want to make it look pretty.
If there's a way I can take Japanese lessons in Japan while working to assist others with their English proficiency, that would be ideal as it's a reciprocal exchange.
I'm not asking what Japan can do for me without first offering my skills.
I'm sensing sarcasm.Sure, that sounds great, have fun with that.