Anyone looking for a good career?

[Zrothum]

Go work for Lowe's.

Benefits:

I pay 80 bucks a month for full health and dental.

401k is matched at 6% of your investment.

Then at the end of the year, whatever amount they have matched you at, gets matched again, depending on company performance, anywhere from 200-350%

You buy their stock at a 15% discount (you just made 15% on your investment for free! For every $1,000 bucks you put in, you get a free $150, that can add up to some serious money)

It's been splitting almost every 7 years. Just split 2:1 three months ago

We're opening stores in Canada next year

I get a 5% raise every year. With the little bull**** job I have (its an integral part of the store, very important, but it's not exactly management) I'll be making 50k+ in a few years. That's with no college degree. 40 hours a week.

I could switch out of the sales path and go management. No college required to become up to a District Manager.

In about 10 years, I could have my own store, and be making in excess of 90K a year.

I love my company. And I'm moving to Canada. Go me!

[Celerity]

Speaking of jobs..anyone looking at doing the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Programme next year??

http://www.jetprogramme.org/e/index.html

Sorry, you do need a college degree for this one..but not Japanese language!

[WarriorCleric]

It does look interesting. Especially for someone who has no idea what the hell he'll be doing next year.

WC

[bavarianbrew]

Good Luck

I'm not sure what is worse, retail slave or corporate slave. I agree, making a living is important. However, if you have options, I'd recommend that you focus on what you are passionate about. If money is what drives you, you need to switch industries. Go for Real Estate, Lending ... no degree required and very money driven. Your goal for riches should be through passive income. Ie. Rentals, Dividends, et all under your own business which will give you the best tax break, if you pay any tax at all that is.

In anycase, you should be investing in a ROTH IRA, because you'll get more for your return than any 401k or stock investment. You need to be an American for this. One more perk of being a US citizen!

As for the JET program, it is okay if you need some serious hand-holding. I prefer Japan on my own terms. If you are dead broke, then JET can be your ticket. However, if you are just in it for the money, then Korea is much more lucrative for teaching english. Degree required though.

Check out:

http://www.eslcafe.com/

... and view the job boards. You won't get rich teaching english, but it'd be fun if you're still figuring out your life.

[Kinicky]

In anycase' date=' you should be investing in a ROTH IRA, because you'll get more for your return than any 401k or stock investment.[/font']

This is only partially true. If your company is matching funds, as you say LOWE's is, then you do better with teh fund matching. All a ROTH IRA does is defer taxes, which means that your interest grows faster because it has a larger principal, and taxes are mot taken out until the fund matures, which is after the growth takes place. This creates an exponential increase over non tax-deferred investments.

Also, many companies use tax-deferred mutual funds for the investment options on their 401k. Take a look at what your company offers.

I would also look at what the company requires before you can be vested. This can be important.

And lastly, if you are young and looking at mutual fund investments for your 401k, I would recommend looking into an aggressive growth fund. For long term investments, these generally consistently produce the highest growth. If the investment is short term, I would be more conservative. In either case, talking with a professional who knows yoru specific situation and needs would be highly beneficial for your retirement planning.

[Chayesh]

Actually, since a Roth IRA is post tax money, none of it is tax-deferred.

The earnings are tax free, provided you don't touch until age 59.5, and you can pull out your contributions 5 years after putting them in.

EXAMPLE: You put $4000 in a Roth IRA. In 5 years, the balance is $12000 let's say. You can now withdraw your original $4000 contribution without penalty, leaving an $8000 balance of tax free earnings, provided you follow the guideline above. The catch is, that original $4000 contribution cannot be claimed as a deductible amount on your taxes like a traditional IRA contribution can be.

The bonus, however, is the tax free earnings. A Roth with a $50000 balance is worth more than a traditional IRA with a $50000 balance because the Roth has already had all its taxes paid. Personally, I'd rather pay the taxes on the small contributions I make to a Roth spread over 40-50 years than to pay taxes on the hopefully mega-balance I'll have at retirement age.

As for a 401-K, even without matching, there is a bonus as that money comes right off the top of your gross income, thus, you pay less taxes on each paycheck you receive and you're left in a lower tax bracket for the purposes of the IRS.

With a traditional IRA, normally not only are your earnings taxed upon withdrawal, you cannot touch the money prior to age 59.5 without a 10% penalty on top of the taxes. The one exception to that is, thankfully, when you convert the account to a Roth IRA. No penalty, however, the balance you convert to Roth money is added directly to your AGI for the year.

Lastly, anyone can invest in mutual funds. These funds are not tax-deferred in and of themselves, it's based on what type of account is investing in the mutual funds; 401-K and traditional IRA accounts being tax-deferred accounts, the Roth IRA being post-tax.

Roth is far and away usually considered a better investment than a traditional IRA if you just want to invest money. If your company provides a 401-K, always always always take advantage of it as it can really never hurt you. If you can, always contribute the maximum annual percentage to a 401-K especially if your company matches. I mean, come on...that's free money.

[Khran]

Lowe's sucks. Don't know why you work there.

[Celerity]

JET holds your hand in that you get a legal visa and a flight over there and pre-planned accomodation. The major drawback with JET is that you can't pick where you go.

The problem with korea is that you usually end up teaching very young children in private schools (hope you like singing!), and your 'lucrative' income is made illegally tutoring on the side. You can also do the same in Japan if you want.

Now, which place is better? Depends what you are looking for really. JET lets you teach in public schools...not many agencies that fly you over for free will do that. Not only that, but you teach older kids (jr. sr. high) rather than 2 year olds. There is a TON of info on the topic, and I've been watching this for years in anticipation of working in TESOL (with a TESOL degree thankyouverymuch). So, if you any east-asian related question for TESOL, please ask.

The best place for pure money is to work in the middle east.

Edit: I'm not sure about what you mean by your own terms. Do you mean buying your ticket over there, paying 6 months of rent (key money) AND an agent's fee (unless you speak japanese), job hunting, and then waiting a month for your first salary (which will probably be bad because you can only work in one location and must start soon)? If holding hands is helping you get a job, a good placement, securing housing, getting all the stuff done LEGALLY -before- you leave..then yes, I want to make sure my hand is held!

[bavarianbrew]

Edit: I'm not sure about what you mean by your own terms. Do you mean buying your ticket over there' date=' paying 6 months of rent (key money) AND an agent's fee (unless you speak japanese), job hunting, and then waiting a month for your first salary (which will probably be bad because you can only work in one location and must start soon)?[/quote']

No. I don't mean that. I don't mean working at all. Though if you must work, my philosophy is to do what you love. Of course, if you cannot see beyond a paycheck, well, you'll be working for a very long time. Good luck with TESOL.

However, if you do not know what your life is about, teaching is one way of spending your time while you figure it out. I agree about the Middle East as being the best paying of all English teaching jobs, let me know when you get one of those. In anycase, for you to assume that there are only a few ways of getting to and living in Japan, let alone teach English there is quite misguided and naïve. Having traveled, lived and worked in Japan for several years (not teaching English), I've met loads of ESL teachers, JET and otherwise. All fools, and rather a desperate lot, always looking for the next best thing and yet never knowing what that is!

I see many talented people who just want to live in Japan, and teaching English is just a means. Other so-called Gaijin I know are doing much better, at least financially, working as Hostesses. Those are the smart ones, because often, they are from some poor Eastern European country, or Russia and have significant money to gain, helping their families abroad. Anyone leaving a 1st World country to achieve a "dream" in Japan is in for a scary wake-up call. Unless that dream includes marrying one of your former students. That is very achievable, and often the case. When you get that job in Japan, then tell me I'm wrong. We'll go for a drink on me.

[Celerity]

Whoa, whoa there. I didn't say anything about only looking to the next paycheck. Don't rail on TESOL because the pay is low, and don't rail on teachers because of that pay. Don't rail on people who do have to work and worry about money. Don't assume that people who go into teacher have no idea how money works...Don't assume that teachers are going to Japan JUST FOR MONEY!!! Sheeesh!

If I don't know what my life is about? "let me know when you get a job in the middle east?" Are you saying I CAN'T land those jobs? Are you saying that I'm too stupid and underqualified?

Well, maybe my life isn't what YOU want it to be, and I'm sorry about that. Teaching can be a lot of things for a lot of people. For some people, it is a career. For others, it is just like a bunch of temp jobs strung together. Don't lump me and EVERYONE else in your experience of ESL teachers in Japan. Some teachers are stupid..some real estate or whatever you don't work for money do are stupid people too. Please do NOT call all teachers fools and a desperate lot. That is just....argh..

Now, I never said that teaching was the only way to get to Japan. You mention hostessing (which is being an escort), which, for YOUR information, I have done, extensively, in Japan and elsewhere. So don't even get STARTED on what that is like.

As for my dreams. Maybe my dreams don't include getting excessively rich and travelling like a tourist and posting about how everyone else's jobs/dreams/plans on MUD forums because they don't get into work that YOU approve of (REAL ESTATE? COMEON!). Maybe I DO enjoy teaching. ...............................

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh....

[inscribed]

LOL @ above

c'mon, tell us how you really feel.

edit: well, i guess it's not above.

[bavarianbrew]

You're funny Celerity. Don't take any silly comment I might say so personally. I respect teachers of all forms. If that's your path, excellent. You're reading into things too much. I never said or assumed that teachers are going to Japan for just the money. I also never said or implied that teachers have no idea of how money works. Most foreign teachers are actually going for the Japanese culture, working as teachers so they can live. However, this is more often than not, a temporary career. Their "dream" is to live in Japan. That is why I said they are always looking for the next best thing. They've achieved their dream after all. I do know a few dedicated ESL teachers in Japan, most have their PhDs and are teaching at University. However, they are a huge minority.

I have a well-rounded understanding of the rule of these people. You may be the exception.

My statement about people not knowing their path in life, well, of course that is a personal thing. Only you can answer that for yourself. Maybe you've got it figured out, great; you know teaching is your path. However, my argument is just to say that if you do not know what your path is, teaching is a good way of spending time to find out. However, if you do know what your path in life is, and if it is not teaching, and you still wanna come to Japan, then there are loads of other means of achieving that dream. That's all I was saying.

I also, only mentioned Real Estate for those who are money driven. Why would you assume I was money driven? Just because someone has knowledge about something doesn't mean that is what they do or are. Search my posts, you might figure out my profession, and I would still do it even if there was no money involved, and sometimes I do! That is a dream. What career will you choose if there was no pay involved? Most don't know, because most have not dedicated time to figuring out: what they believe, where they need to go, and how they will get there.

The Middle East comment, well, only you know if you are qualified. Getting jobs are not just about applications and resumes, which you should know. I've never known a CEO, let alone a Producer or even President to submit an application for their job nor title. I luv it!

I will rescind my comment, calling all ESL teachers in Japan fools. I am only referring to the 98% of these teachers. Once again, you may be the exception. I understand you feel strongly about defending these poor slobs. I only call them fools since they have achieved their so-called dream, while not being contented by it. That makes it a pipe dream, in turn, they are fools. I only mentioned the Hostesses because, they are really the only other counterpoint to ESL teachers in Japan, being both foreign and easily found. Really, when I was in Japan, if you saw a Gaijin, they were either: A) Tourist ESL Teacher C) Hostess. I respect Hostesses, it's a job, much better than Wal-Mart and sweat shops. I'm certain.

I am sometimes a teacher as well. I teach people how to do things all the time. They learn quickly too, it's great.

In anycase, I don't approve of anyone doing a job they were not designed for. This means that people who hate their jobs should quit. If you don't believe in design, that's your own problem. Yeah, people choose the lives they live, they have families to feed, people to kill, places to go, and people to see. This is the rule for 1st World contries. I would argue that dreams are often not fulfilled (excluding Physics) because most just do not give a damn enough to follow-through.

It's all about risk management.

[Fear, the Angel's Name]

What kinda escort are we talking about here? Does that mean I have to pay you to get you to let me take you out to a fancy restaraunt? You're pretty. Are you still for hire?

[Lexi]

What career will you choose if there was no pay involved?

Deffinitely mudding. Ohh..

Oops.