How’s the Economy Treating You? JET Alums Share Their Perspectives
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Marc Carroll (Gifu-ken, 2001-03)
Senior localization engineer, translation company, New York, NY
As for the economy and me? Hmm, well, I was reassured, unofficially :-), that I am safe, but it could be a mixed blessing if my group was ever reduced in size. A ton more work for fewer people = longer hours. It’s really hard to say what’s going to happen.
And as for the economy and my company? I’d guess we may see a slight shift in our focus. While projects for domestic advertising and marketing materials my decrease, there could be opportunities for companies who are looking overseas to jump the USS Titanic. With all the fanfare, we’ve been contracted to translate a tsunami of internal memos and press releases. It’s not the meat and potatoes of our business, but it seems a bit ironic that some U.S. institutions are basically paying us tell to their foreign investors and constituencies it’s gonna be a’ight and not to panic about their financial situations.
All and all, we’re just following the money and providing a voice for businesses on whatever shores they choose to operate, foreign or domestic. It’d be naive to say we are recession-proof, but hey, we’ve roughed the dotcom bubble burst,Y2K and the cancellation of Baywatch.
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Anonymous
Finance, New York, NY
I work at a major financial institution that has suffered billions of dollars of losses over the past year. Thousands of employees at my company, including many friends of mine, have been laid off, and it seems Read More
It turns out there’s Beppu Hot Springs Master in the JET alumni community. Meet translator/interpreter Joel Dechant, currently a resident of Fukuoka but soon moving to Seattle, WA. Never heard of a Hot Springs Master? Watch this video of him from Japanese TV. (See all 4 clips with explanation on JapanProbe.com.)
Job: Rosetta Stone Japanese Creative Writer (Harrisonburg, VA)
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I just saw this interesting job posting on Craigslist:
We are looking for creative problem-solvers who can write and are native speakers of one of the languages listed below. We want people who understand narrative structure, know how to craft a well-polished piece of writing, are developing a voice and style and love languages. You won’t be writing greeting cards or City Council articles – instead, you’ll be part of a smart, vibrant software culture changing the way the world talks to each other. [cont’d] Read More
Blaine Harden on Japan’s Convenience Stores
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Blaine Harden has another interesting article in the Washington Post, this time on Japan’s convenience stores. He’s not a JET alum, but his articles are generally good reading, so we’ll continue to keep track of his writing and justify its inclusion on the basis that it’s a good model for aspiring writers and journalists in the JET alumni community.
And, if you’re feeling natsukashii for a good ol’ Japanese convenience store, here’s the video from the story:
Job opening: UPS Japan Public Affairs Manager
Via Daniel Lee (Hokkaido, 2000-03) of JETAA DC:
Understanding is that this is a local position based in Tokyo without the typical expat benefits package. If interested, please contact UPS directly at the email at the bottom of the announcement. Read More
Job: 1/2 Time Program Coordinator at Institute for Medieval Japanese Studies, Columbia U.
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They are seeking a half-time Program Coordinator to work aproximately 20 hours per week. Salary is commensurate with experience. The position is open immediately. Training will be provided.
See below for more details about the position. Read More
Job: Translator for Anime Festival
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Just saw this on the JETAA DC email list:
We (Japan America Society of Washington, DC) just received a request from Katsucon (one of the organizers of a large Anime Conventions) looking for two Japanese translators during their convention. Read More
WITLife – Episode #1
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WITLife is a periodic post by Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03).
Since becoming a freelance translator/interpreter/writer, one of the new opportunities that I have enjoyed the most has been interpreting for the State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP: http://exchanges.state.gov/ivlp/ivlp.html).
The IVLP is an exchange program designed to build mutual understanding between the U.S. and other countries through carefully designed visits that reflect the participants’ professional interests and support U.S. foreign policy goals. For participants, it involves meeting and conferring with professional counterparts and gaining an appreciation of the ethnic, cultural, political and socio-economic diversity of the U.S.
Participants are established or potential foreign opinion makers in government, public policy, media, education, labor, the arts and other key fields, and they are selected by American embassies abroad. Since its inception in 1940, over 135,000 people have participated in the program, and in 2007 over 4000 IVs came over on 900 projects of various themes. 65 IVLP alumni are current Chiefs of State/Heads of Government, including Taiwan President Ma Ying-Jeou. However, while they are here all IVs are considered “honorary Americans.” This means that no matter how highly ranked they are back home, during this program in our egalitarian country everyone is of equal status. This certainly takes a bit of pressure off the lowly interpreter!
My first assignment was in September for two Japanese men studying the theme of Planning for Crises: Disasters and Pandemics. Read More
Job: State Dept, English Language Training Program
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From JETAA DC
Job: State Department, English Language Training Program
Mon Oct 27, 2008 3:18 pm (PDT)
Please contact Christine with any further questions.
We are about to launch a huge project with the State Department and they are interested in hiring a project manager for administering an English Language training program with us. Below are the details for the job:
Project Manager for ELLC
Duties and Responsibilities of the Position (Tasks) Read More
Job opening for School Program Coordinator/ Office Manager in DC at the Japanese Embassy\’s Japan Information and Culture Center, posted to the JETAA DC grouplist by Melissa Chasse (Gifu-ken, 2003-07), the Press Relations Officer at the Japan Information and Culture Center(JICC) , Embassy of Japan. Read More
Japan’s Newspapers
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Interesting article from the Washington Post by Blaine Harden (with contributions from Akiko Yamato) on the newspaper business in Japan, for anyone interested or working in journalism in Japan. The gist of it is that while the newspaper business has been undermined by the internet, it’s been supported by the large number of older folks who all prefer newspapers to the internet and therefore there aren’t that many young readers to lose.
Job: Associate Director for Program Development
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Interested applicants should apply on-line at: www.columbia.edu/cu/jobs
More information about the position below. Read More
Job: Administrative Director, Center on Japanese Economy and Business
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Interested applicants should apply on-line at: www.columbia.edu/cu/jobs
More information about the position below. Read More
JETAA DC Career Forum – Tuesday, Oct 21
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2008 JETAA Career Night & Welcome Back Reception
JETAA DC is hosting its Career Night and Welcome Back Reception on Tuesday, October 21. Click “Read More” for details. Read More
Interpreter Temp Job in South Carolina
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From South Carolina subchapter rep Dan Stone:
Japanese interpreter, with some technical experience needed for a Japanese manufacturing plant in Upstate South Carolina. The length of time is 9 days in the beginning of November. They will be needed to assist visiting Japanese for breakfast, lunch and dinner and everything in between.
Please contact me at the information listed below. Read More
