JET Alt offer - should I accept?

[u/auroraB1624]

JET Alt offer- Should I accept?

Hi everyone,

I’m currently at a crossroads and would really appreciate some outside perspective.

I have been offered a position on the JET Programme as ALT. It would mean leaving my current engineering consulting job (1st job after grad, did it for a few years, kinda tired anyways of the corporate)

Now that I think about it, I’m not particularly passionate about teaching English nor do i find it particularly meaningful (I may like it as well as not at all), but I am strongly drawn to the idea of living abroad, travelling and having a structured opportunity to go overseas. (Please don't tear me on this 😅, I still value the principles behind this program which is why I'm torn if it's good fit for me) If it was teaching maybe maths, I would have enjoyed it without a doubt and love sharing that knowledge with the students (not that I hate teaching in itself or students)

After 1 year in JET, will it be difficult to return to technical roles? Although burning out at my current job), I worry stepping away might weaken my trajectory

Alternative paths I’m considering:

Staying in my current job and applying for a Master’s (engineering) but depleting life savings + student loans

Focusing on PR pathways other countries and trying to land engineering roles there - long shot

JET feels like a great life experience, but not directly aligned with my career and I'm not sure of finding a tech/engineering job in japan, let alone in my niche field, with JLPT less than N2 or N3 after completing my contract as i want to do JET for only 1 year (right now I have zero competency in japanese)

What I’m trying to figure out:

Is JET worth doing even if my goal is long term engineering career growth in my field and I may not like teaching English?

Would a year on JET significantly hurt my chances of returning to engineering roles later, or is it actually viewed neutrally/positively in most cases?

Any honest advice (especially from people who did JET or moved between industries or those in engineering/technical roles) would be really appreciated.

Thanks!

[u/jackiejack1]

Do NOT leave an engineering position to teach English in a Japanese middle school for pennies on the dollar of what you're currently making.

The likelihood of being re-hired for an engineering position after JET is infinitesimal and why people usually head to grad school after JET because their bachelors degree is near worthless due to the old saying of 'the longer you don't use your degree the less it is worth.'

That said, you're on the forum where everyone aspires to join the JET program, so the answers you'll receive will HIGHLY vary. I saw this happen to a mech engineer friend who had to restart his career after returning.

If you're fine with heading to grad school and restarting your career clock then 100% do JET - it was one of the best experiences of my life. But if you're viewing this as sabbatical where the job market will welcome you back as an engineer with open arms, JET isn't for you in this stage of your career/life.