Need some help with seriously learning japanese.

[vgundam21]

Hello everyone, I have a question.

After about 2 months of serious self study, I have decided to get some kind of college degree in Japanese language and literature. I typically study around 4-5 hours a day and I find it is very exciting to learn a foreign language. Anyways, here are my questions:
1. Is there any way to get an online degree for Japanese? I know this is not ideal, however I am active duty military currently stationed in Oklahoma City with a 4 month deployment rotation cycle (4 on, 12 off) and there are no colleges anywhere in this state that offer any kind of Japanese program. If anyone does know if this is possible, please recommend a good online university.
2. What are some good materials that I can use for self study? Among other things, I make very good use of the website, Anki, several books that I have purchased from local bookstores, and every night I spend time watching raw untranslated anime so that I can practice listening. Progress has been really good, I have taught myself Kana (starting on Kanji soon) and have learned a lot of basic vocab from the website. Unfortunately, I really am on my own here, since there are no classes I can take and there aren't any Japanese people in the middle of Oklahoma that I can practice speaking to. I realize that getting fluent enough to hold my own in a conversation will probably take around 5-6 years, and that's fine with me. I just need a good list of things to study that will help me become better at reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
3. What kind of jobs are open to people that are bi-lingual? I would love a job where I could work in Japan (grew up there, loved it) but I'm not sure what kind of companies hire people that have say a degree in the Japanese language. Also, what do most jobs require? A degree, a certain level of the JLPT passed, or both?

Thanks in advance for the help ^ ^

[zakojanai]

So what is it you want to do? Because degrees in a foreign language mean you can either teach that language or do translation work. They don't really certify you for much else. My recommendation would be to get a minor in Japanese or to double major in Japanese and possibly something else. So, find something else you enjoy and find a way to combine your interest in Japan with it. Business is always a popular one, but graphic design, systems engineering, law and tons of other things are possibilities too.

If you want to work in Japan, it's going to be very difficult to get a visa without a degree from a four year university. OSU and OU both offer Japan study abroad programs and OSU even has a minor in Japanese. (not sure about OU) There was a student from Oklahoma Baptist University in my study abroad program. The University of Arkansas also offers a lot of Japanese classes and was even a test site for the JLPT last year. And I know that some of the Wal Mart associated companies in NW Arkansas occasionally look for Japanese speakers.

On the other hand, have you looked into using your military connections to study at the defense language institute in Monterrey? I'm not sure what all that entails (whether you have to be a certain rank or commit to certain things) but it might be something to look into if you haven't already.

You certainly don't need a degree in Japanese to do most jobs in Japan. If a Japanese company is going to hire you, you'll have to show them more than your ability to speak Japanese. If that's all they wanted, they could hire a Japanese person. Of course, some college credits in Japanese help and so does the JLPT. 2kyu seems to be minimum, but you don't necessarily need the test certification if you can show your ability some other way.

As for study material, JPOD, White Rabbit Press Kanji cards, smart.fm (formerly iKnow), and the Genki textbooks are all good for beginners (and higher levels). The kanzen master series is good once you get a little more advanced and "Donna Toki, Dou Tsukau" is a great grammar reference book.

[vgundam21]

Hmmm, that is a good point about the degree. I still have time to figure it out, considering I'm still working on my basic classes, but I do think it would probably be a better idea to minor in Japanese. Unfortunately, I did find out that OSU has a great Japanese program, however it is an hour and a half drive from here. I have a job where I have to fly and I work some pretty crazy hours so I won't be able to make that. Also DLI is a no-go; has a notoriously high wash out rate (90% i believe) and you don't get to pick the language, your assigned one. Mostly middle eastern stuff, most of the people that I know that went there had Farsi.

I still have three years on my enlistment so I have plenty of time to figure out what I'm going to do though. Just gonna work on getting basics knocked out while I'm here since we get free college while were in the military. BTW, I do really like the Smart.FM website and I'll be looking more into that. One last thing, I can study my ass off and pick up vocab and what not pretty fast, but I realize that down the line I'm going to have to find someone to speak with. I'll be trying to find a native speaker close to where I live, but does anyone know of a good place where i can maybe skype with Japanese people and practice my speaking skills online?

Once again, thanks for the help.

[Bunny_Moon]

Lang-8 is a good resource. You can practice writing in Japanese, and find people to Skype with that can help you with speaking Japanese.

[zakojanai]

I just found this site. Thought it might be useful:

www.jgram.org

[vgundam21]

Thanks for the help ^ ^ those sites are definitely useful. Will make good use of them.

[Belton]

One last thing, I can study my ass off and pick up vocab and what not pretty fast, but I realize that down the line I'm going to have to find someone to speak with. I'll be trying to find a native speaker close to where I live, but does anyone know of a good place where i can maybe skype with Japanese people and practice my speaking skills online?

I'd suggest the sooner the better.
Try Mixxer
http://www.language-exchanges.org/

--edit afterthought--
working in Japan.
Well a degree (any degree) is necessary for the standard work visa at the moment.
There is talk of getting extra benefits if you have Japanese skills however.
A company is most likely to hire you for having native English combined with a desirable skill (presumably backed up by your degree) as there are many native Japanese with good degrees already. That said, language skills would make your life easier and make you look more attractive to potential employers.