New Graduate School page on JetWit
Academic, Career, Graduate School 
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Have a look at the new Graduate School page on JetWit.com. These are schools and programs that tend to be popular with JET alumni.
- If you know of a school that should be added, or
- If you attended one of the programs and want to add some information or comments or would be willing to be contacted if other JET alums want to talk to people who have attended your program
just send an e-mail to jetwit /atto/ jetwit /dotto/ com.
Translation Resources
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I’ve been following a blog called Translation-Language-Culture (www.translationlanguageculture.com) written by a guy named Werner Patel, and I noticed a nice recent post about online resources for translators that I thought was worth sharing.
Werner specializes in English-German translation and is a Canadian citizen, though the blog addresses translation issues from a general perspective.
I’d be interested in hearing what JetWit readerst think of the site, especially any info or perspectives that might be particularly helpful to the JET/JET alum community.
Send any comments to jetwit /atto/ jetwit /dotto/ com.
Jobs in the hospitality industry in Japan?
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The below question and response recently appeared on the LinkedIn group “Official Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme and Alumni Association (JETAA).” (Names of the alumni are intentionally not included.)
Question: Topic: Companies to look at for hospitality/tourism or entertainment related jobs in Japan
I recently had interviews with Bandai and Konami but didn’t get moved onto the next round in both cases. However, I realized I’d really like to work at a gaming/entertainment company. If that doesn’t come through, then I’d like to try and work at a hotel or similar establishment. If anyone has ideas for companies/hotels where I could apply to work for in Japan please let me know.
Response: If you are not to concerned about salary you could check out the adventures here: http://www.snowjapan.com/e/features/working-at-japanese-ski-resorts.html
(Seems like it is more for the experience, rather than the earning potential.)
By the way, I also used to work in the games biz back in Vancouver, and I have visited quite a few studios here as well. One thing I can tell you is that the atmosphere is really different. Whereas you might expect really fun, creative work places with free Starbucks and foosball (a la North American experience), the Japanese reality is excessive overtime and Akihabara-style people who don’t get out much. I would probably go for the ski resort…
It turns out JET alum Lars Martinson, author of the graphic novel Tonoharu: Part 1, has a four-part series on his experience applying for a Monbusho Scholarship that’s worth reading.
JetWit also recently had a post about Lars completing a 10-part series on his site (larsmartinson.com) all about self-publishing. And I just realized he has a unique section on his site devoted to reflections from his time on JET.
It’s also worth noting that, while he had been living in Minneapolis, MN, more recently he’s relocated to Tokushima-ken in Shikoku for graduate school.
Julie Matysik (Yamanashi-ken, 2006-07) is a freelance copy editor and aspiring in-house editor who recently moved to NYC with her husband (also a JET alum). She has just started an internship in editing/publishing/writing. Editorial Pursuits chronicles her job hunting efforts, experiences and lessons learned.
Warning: the following post is coming from deep frustrations with job searching and the inability to land a solid entry-level job in the editing and publishing field over the past four months.
I cannot even begin to express how frustrating it is when you check a site daily for jobs and find nothing a) that you are qualified for, b) that is in the city you are living in, or c) — just plain nothing!
My most favorite, and most reliable, job searching sites-Publisher’s Marketplace, MediaBistro, and Book Jobs-have not posted anything pertinent to my job search needs in the last two weeks.
Of course, I know better than to blame the job search engines for Read More
Job Listing: JetWit
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JetWit is looking for people to help with the following jobs (which are unpaid for now):
1. Ad Sales – One or two people to pursue and follow up with leads for potential advertisers.
2. Updater – One or two people to send out a daily or periodic email update to an email grouplist with links to the latest posts. Room to be creative if you want.
3. Job Listings – One or two people to help me gather and post relevant job listings.
4. Other – If you have other ideas for ways to help, feel free to email with suggestions/proposals.
Among other things, JetWit is intended to be a way to help JET alums get some work experience, even if you don’t have a job, whether writing, translating, business or other experience. A way around the catch-22 of needing experience to get a job but being unable to get a job without experience.
Feel free to get in touch to discuss more. Contact: jetwit /atto/ jetwit /dotto/ com.
Job Market Update
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I was in touch with a couple recruiters from Japanese staffing/recruiting firms this past week, and it sounds like there really are no job listings right now, at least from Japanese companies seeking Americans with some level of Japanese ability. The one glimmer of light was a comment that, starting in 2009, Japanese HR managers may be more open to hiring given that down markets are always a good time to hire talented people.
So buckle your seatbelt and be creative and proactive if you’re in the market for a job. And by all means make use of JetWit and the JET alumni network. (And any other networks you have too, for that matter.) Most of all, remember that every challenge offers new opportunities. It’s just a matter of figuring out what they are. Ganbarimashou!
Tadaima! #2 – Networking, Karate and Stocks, Oh My!
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My name is Rick Ambrosio (Ibaraki-ken, 2006-08). And whether readjusting to post-JET life is something you’re facing now, will deal with in the future or if you just enjoy reconnecting with that awkwardly uncertain feeling you had when you got back from Japan, come along with me as I look for a new job, a new apartment, and yes, mow the lawn of my parent’s house. Tadaima!
My cousin recently published a mystery/horror novel called “Once Upon a Nightmare,” which I read exclusively at night because that’s generally when scary stories are most poignant. She asked me to review it, so I am. But like most books you get really into, you forget what time it is, and I ended up staying up really late. So I end up waking up late.
First I checked e-mails for leads and responses with jobs. A fellow JETAANY member (Steven) needed help with the Kintetsu Essay Contest, and at this point he and I were working on a title for this series. The back and forth was a great way to keep myself engaged and feeling like I was doing something. The Essay Contest data was formatted quickly, but Steven and I went back and forth several more times brainstorming for a name for this series.
Downstairs I went for brunch in my deserted house. Carefully placed on the kitchen table was my daily note from Mom. Tuna in the Fridge. She’s going to Lowes when she gets home. Vacuum all the leaves in the front of the house.
I thought of calling my mother at work and telling her that many houses in Japan lack yards and doing yard work would severely cripple my cultural transition. Instead I threw on my weird leather and faux fur hat (I have a habit of wearing odd hats during chores) and began on the leaves. While doing this my neighbor Tony sauntered over.
Tony is about my fathers age and has two loves: Cigars and Sinatra. Read More
Job Opportunities Shifting Overseas?
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As the US economy slides (crashes?) and the job market seems less and less supportive here in the US, many JET alums are likely starting to look back to Japan for work opportunities. Sure Japan is in a recession, but they don’t seem to have quite the negative exposure that the US financial institutions have had and in several instances Japanese finance has helped bail out some struggling US banks and auto companies.
An article in today’s NY Times seems to support this trend, taking about lawyers increasingly moving to their firms’ offices in Asia and the Middle East. Notably, the article starts off with a female lawyer who decided to accept her firm’s suggestion to move to their Tokyo office.
Are you in a similar boat? If you’re a JET alum who’s moving (or considering moving) back to Japan or elsewhere for better opportunities, get in touch and share you’re story. Just e-mail stevenwaseda /atto/ jetwit /dotto/ com.
JET alum Lars Martinson, author of the graphic novel Tonoharu: Part 1, just completed a 10-part series on his site (larsmartinson.com) all about self-publishing. While he writes from an “alternative cartoonist” perspective, he offers valuable insight and experience for any JET alums in the writing or publishing business.
Perspectives include:
- Cartooning is a poor career choice, so make sure you have alternative revenue streams
- Seek funding such as the Xeric Grant, Monbusho scholarships and other sources of funding
Taking advantage of Amazon Associates, and selling related merchandise- Suggestions on how to create an effective online presence
- How to find established distributors in your field
- How to manage sales and money
- Plus plenty of other helpful concrete suggestions gleaned from personal experience and struggle
You can also read a nice article about Lars from the Winter 2008 “Digital Media” Issue of the JETAA NY Newsletter, written by Alexei Esikoff (Fukushima-ken, 2001-02).
Seeking JET alumni authors
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Are you a JET alum? Have you ever written a book? Do you know of any JET alumni who have authored a book?
JetWit is trying to track down any and all JET alumni authors, well-known and obscure. If you’ve ever written a book or know of another JET alum who has, please e-mail any info to stevenwaseda /atto/ jetwit /dotto/ com.
Below is a list of JET alumni authors JetWit knows about. (To see the books they’ve written, go to jetwit.com/wordpress/library/authorsbooks/.)
- Auslin, Michael
- Beaton, Hamish (Osaka, 1996-99)
- Feiler, Bruce (Tottori-ken, 1989-90)
- Ferguson, Will (Nagasaki-ken, 1991-94)
- Kelts, Roland (Osaka, 1998-99)
- Kennedy, James (Nara-ken, 2004-06)
- Klar, Nicholas (Prefecture, Years)
- Kootnikoff, David (Prefecture, Years)
- Levitas, Ethan (Prefecture, Years)
- McConnell, David L. (Prefecture, Years)
- Tessler, Manya (Prefecture, Years)
Job listings for JET alumni? Send’em in!
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REMINDER: If you have a job listing that would be relevant for JET alumni, or if you’re a JET alumni with an opening where you work and want to share the job listing, feel free to e-mail it to stevenwaseda /atto/ jetwit /dotto/ com.
A nice International ed job listing courtesy of JET alum Sara Arlin:
CENTER DIRECTOR – TOKYO, JAPAN
Qualifications for the Center Director position include: a Master’s degree (Ph.D. preferred) in an appropriate academic area (e.g., Japanese language, Asian studies, education); at least 5 years of management experience, ideally in a study abroad or higher education setting; excellent written and spoken Japanese and English; a good understanding of both the U.S. and Japanese higher education systems; and experience working with American university students. This is a permanent, full-time position offering opportunities for professional growth and a competitive annual salary and benefits. All applicants should be able to lawfully accept employment in Japan at the time of the offer of employment.
A complete description of this job is available on the IES Abroad website at www.iesabroad.org/IES/Careers/employment.html<http://www.iesabroad.org/IE=<www.iesabroad.org/IES/Careers/employment.html%3chttp:/www.iesabroad.org/IE=>S/Careers/employment.html>. Read More
From The Chronicle of Higher Education: Position: Director of International Education
Salary: Unspecified
Institution: Bucknell University
Location: Pennsylvania
Date posted: 11/19/2008
Bucknell University seeks applicants for a Director of the Office of International Education. The Director of International Education reports to the Assistant Provost and manages a team of 6 professional and part-time staff. Bucknell University currently sends over 40% of its student population off campus and expects this number to grow. The Office of International Education is responsible for advising these students on over 160 off-campus studies options. As an institution, Bucknell University is committed to enhancing the international character of its community, and strongly supports off-campus studies as one avenue through which students can become tolerant, reflective, global citizens. Read More
WITLife – Episode #3
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WITLife is a series by Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03). She is currently traveling around the U.S. as a freelance interpreter for the U.S. State Department.
Hello from Seattle! I intended to write from each of the cities during my travels, but somehow my busy schedule got the best of me. I am now at the last stop on our tour of the States before returning home to NYC this weekend.
The last time I checked in I was in DC for the election, and after a brief stop in Kalamazoo, Michigan we made our way to Obama’s stomping grounds of Chicago. Even though we couldn’t be in Grant Park for election night, it was cool to visit the spot where he had spoken a week later (courtesy of a tour from a friend who had been lucky enough to be there at the time!). Read More
