[Gubocang]

Sorry if this seems like a completely stupid topic. But lately I have been thinking about what future job I want, and frankly, I am extremely confused. I thought one way would be to find out more about what other kendokas do for a living.

I love kendo, and would like to continue kendo even when I graduate. I don't live in Japan, but I go there regularly. It seems to me that kendo can be a very expensive hobby. Travelling, seminars, competitions, equipment, membership fees, grading fees, etc etc. So I would like a job that would be able to "support" this lifestyle. And yet, I need to be able to accommodate taking time off for competitions etc and practising at least 2-3 times a week. So a flexible working schedule would seem like a must. I don't think I'm the kind of guy who can sit in a boring office environment, but you never know. All my older friends tell me that when you start working you transform.

I'm hoping to tap into the wisdom of more experienced kendokas here. So what do you do? Anyone managed to make a career out of kendo? (except e.g. Japanese policeman or Japanese professors?)

[Feflyinvelf]

Making a career out of kendo? not me since I am a civil engineer.

[Qdkczrdi]

Most people here would probably say that although they love Kendo/Iaido/Jodo/etc. their lives are not formed around it. For people in foreign countries, Kendo is a passionate "hobby" that they can do outside of their work and family lives. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I recommend worrying about getting a career first, then thinking about ways to fit Kendo in, rather than trying to get a career that accommodates your Kendo. If you tried to do that, your options would be severely limited, IMHO.

[Cyclicymn]

I'm a nurse. At least in the United States, it pays well, and the hours are reasonably flexible, in that most places allow the nurses to sign up for shifts on their own until the shift roster is filled. The down side of that is that, in a hospital at least, the standard shift for a nurse is nominally twelve hours, but often ends up being fourteen or more.

Being a nurse is not for everyone. If you can look at blood, pus, and poop and not be revolted, it might be for you. If you have a love / hate relationship with humanity, but generally want to help, it might be for you.

[Wckcvhsg]

I'm not sure why you need a particularly flexible work schedule. Most dojos schedule their classes around normal working hours, and tournaments/gradings/seminars are always on the weekend. Your only concern might be location. If for example you choose a career as a mining engineer, odds are you will end up wherever the mine is at initially, and that's unlikely to be near a dojo.

[forextradinginfo]

Me, I spend all day at a desk in front of a computer, or reading technical papers.

But at night I put on my cape and hop from building to building, fighting crime. I started kendo because I needed help with my night job. So you see, I molded kendo around my life, not the other way round.

[feqlmwtuqx]

shift manager in cardboard box factory

[DeilMikina]

Pirate. Pros - choose own hours, cons - walking the plank.

Not really

Time Lord. Pros - make own hours, cons - being exterminated.

Not really.

Teacher. Pros - clock off at 3pm plus thirteen weeks holiday, cons - students.

[Nicihntm]

No offense but you sound like you are perhaps on the youthful side of college and my suggestion is that you are going about this backwards. First figure out what you can get paid to do that you most like doing (and have aptitude for) and pursue it. If you like working late long hours in a kitchen be a chef. If you like people and being out on the road, go into sales. Etc. What are you good at and what do you like (or at least tolerate)?

Are you in college? Try to get some interships to find out what you like.

Anyway, good luck!

[LookSe]

Freelance journalism. Given that newspapers worldwide are coughing up blood, there's been better times to start out. Then there's the fact that much like Spiderman the public hate you, even though you work for them. Can't complain though, there are times you can do genuinely good things and some really fun times tend to come out of the strangest places. My English Literature degree pretty much guarantees me a cell in some lightless office where I'd shrivel up and die like an old teabag, so I'm glad to be able to move around and work individually.

There are fellas I know who train five or six times a week, most of their friends are Kendoka and they're loving the life, but I enjoy Kendo as part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle alongside writing, socialising and drinking. Much as I love Kendo, there's more to life.

[TubOppomo]

Computer Network Engineer. Sounds more fancy that it really is . I play with computers all day, everyday.

[maxfieldj1]

Contract Killer............But i only use a shinai, so you have to hit them REALLY hard.

Just kidding, I am a video editor. For the most part I work fairly normal hours, sometimes tho you get that one client that has to get the project done tonight. oddly enough that always seems to be thursday night(one of my kendo nights) so they can be done by friday at happy hour.

I agree with the herd tho you should find a job you are passionate about, something you love to do. Than work kendo into it. As for making kendo a career, I habe hear many photographers say that the way to kill your passion for something is to make it you living. I would agree.

[wllsqyuipknczx]

whatever you enjoy doing, for instance, I am an electronics geek that loves to melt solder and snort rosin, therefore i'm an electrical engineer that designs analog hardware so I get to spend most of my time in the lab, and can mouth off to management because what I do is basically voodoo to lesser MBA types.

[kabelshik]

I sit in an office all day, doing some computer stuff, solving other people's mistakes and recently I got to start telling people what to do as well which is "fun".
It's very good for lower back and RSI problems but it pays for my expensive hobby (plus physiotherapy) and I get enough vacation days to go to Japan ^_^

[JorgiOLusinio]

I'm a research scientist (cell biologist) and I work at a University. It fits ok with kendo although the pay isn't fantastic. Nice thing is that for the most part my hours are flexible and I can make time for kendo to a large degree (not as much as I'd like maybe but still not too bad). If you really want time for kendo and money to go do stuff instead of worrying about what job you work I'd say stay away from marriage and having kids because they tend to eat away at expendable time and money.

[isopsmypovA]

I am an aerospace engineer. Fun profession amidst all of the beauracracies.

[Slonopotam845]

Long hours aren't going to be scarce with the profession I'm likely to be doing. However I'm blessed I live in a small country. I have about 6 dojo kendo, 2 iaido within a 30 min range who practice on different days of the week, so when i'm not able to attend my regular dojo it's possible to attend another and keep my training schedule at 2 or 3 times a week.

[iOqedeyH]

High school Teacher.

Advantages: I get to teach kendo for a living. Good hours and holidays. Long service leave after 10 years. Occasionally (like nurses and very occasionally journalists...) you get to make a difference. Like nursing it's a fairly portable trade because not everyone can/wants to do it but teachers are needed everywhere. Disadvantages: Not all my students realise how fantastic kendo is. Pay stops at slightly above average and then stays there no matter how long you teach. Members of the GP who think a trained monkey could do my job. Absolute inflexibility in working hours and holidays. The bureaucracy of education is obsessed with jargon and fads.

The best way to keep kendo the main focus of your life is to marry someone who also loves kendo and always use a condom.

b

[adoreorerie]

The best way to keep kendo the main focus of your life is to marry someone who also loves kendo and always use a condom.

I had this thought. Then I realized there's only one girl at my dojo, and she's a girl. Alas.

[Saispapedlimi]

Computer programmer at the NSCL (http://www.nscl.msu.edu). Adjunct instructor for the Kinesiology dept. where I teach one class per semester.. guess what the subject is?