Sophie, web designer living and working in Japan

Tell us what you do for a living?

I’m an English Teacher and website designer

Can you describe what that involves?

Photographing my life and writing about it online

What do you enjoy about your job?

The endless hours of free time to be as creative as possible while exploring a diverse and fascinating country

Is there anything you do not enjoy?

Not being able to get round the bluetape

Can you describe what a day in your job might be?

I wake up at around 5am, sleep in a bit, get up. Have a light breakfast of miso soup and fresh sashimi. I then drive to work through the mountains with the sun shining. I get to work and start my journal and log into my web account. I upload my photography and edit my photos with software such as Adobe. I then place these on my website explaining them. If I have time off I then take the afternoon to drive and explore the countryside whilst taking photos –if I fancy it I will drive to neighbouring Miyazaki and spend the rest of the day at the beach and maybe bodyboard too.

What hours do you work?

The usual mon-fri 8-3.30

How much do you earn or what is your salary?

About 3million yen a year (about 19,000 quid) plus free massages in exchange for conversation classes

How long have you been working in this area?

About a year

Can you tell us how you got to where you are?

Through the Jet Programme and a lot of determination.

Can you tell us about your education to date?

I have a second class honours degree in Ancient History and Archaeology. I taught myself photography and website design. I motivate myself as I have a fascination for technology, computers etc–I’m a bit of a geek like that!

Can you tell us about any training you have sought/received?

Mostly when I worked in radio and advertising. We did these market analysis workshops, and presentations at agencies but I found them mostly tedious and boring –I far prefer to teach myself.

Have you learnt any new skills whilst doing this job? If yes, please tell us what they are.

For sure –I’ve learnt how to communicate in Japanese and how to write it online –I’ve also learnt more about the software I use to design my site and how to promote it to friends and relatives. I’ve learnt how do this through secondary media (i.e mobile phones –which are so advanced in Japan!)

Looking back, would you choose the same job again? If no, what would you choose if you could start again?

Probably

Thinking about your personal experience, what advice would you give to someone hoping to follow a similar career path?

You need the patience of a saint –especially if you’re doing it in a foreign country

Do you have an aspiration/goal for your future career?

I’d love to create music videos but I think it’s a pipe dream. Now I live for the moment rather than making plans –life is not always what it seems.

How will you try and get there?

Buy a decent digital camera and editing suite then get myself an agent –probably move to the States to do that

How long do you think it will take you?

Not long if I’m determined.