Yvonne Thurman-Dogruer (Kagoshima-ken, 1994-95) is a former JETAANY President and Treasurer. She has a Master of International Affairs degree from Columbia University, had a ten-year career at its Center on Japanese Economy and Business, and ran her own business for a number of years. Yvonne currently consults for small businesses and start-ups while continuing the full-time job-search, and is an avid sailor.
JETAA NY President in 1999. Columbia grad in 2002. Director at Columbia Business School in 2005. Entrepreneur and business owner in 2008. Now? Unemploy
ed.
Rarely do I say that I’m unemployed. That’s never my response when someone asks what I do. I’m consulting. I’m job-searching. I work from home. All true. I don’t know how to relate to ‘unemployed’ as a status. It’s easier on the ego to instead talk about what I’ve done up until this point. But after a year and a half with no steady paycheck, there is no doubt I am one of the many unemployed in this country, regardless of how the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics might choose to define me. I do consulting work when I can get it, and I continue to look for a full-time, salaried position. I am unemployed.
This summer marked a couple of milestones in my life; 25 years since graduating high school, and 20 years since I was on the JET program. I’ve attended really great reunions — hours full of fun and therapeutic reminiscing about the past. I would come home from them feeling good about reconnecting with those who had played an important role in my personal and professional growth, and proud of the many things I’ve accomplished in life so far. And then comes the question, “where am I now?”. That has me stumped. What are these invisible barriers holding me back from moving forward? This all feels so foreign to me, as I had always felt grounded in my professional life. Every day is a challenge to keep steady, strong, and navigate myself through such an unpredictable environment. And every day, I seem to get through, and continue to look for that thing called a job to give me some sense of stability.
So I chatted with Steven Horowitz a few months back and with his encouragement decided to write for JETwit and reflect on this past year-and-a-half of my professional life, and make some observations about this job market. It’s my hope that while I continue zig-zagging through the murky waters of the New York job hunt and share my experiences, it might help my fellow JET alumni who are going through the same thing. Whether you’ve returned from your Japan stint some decades ago like me, or have come back more recently, if you are job searching now – you will have a voice to contribute here. I do not aim to give advice, only to encourage discussion. Let’s start talking, continue to keep our heads about us, and our humor. Stay tuned…
Job: ESL Instructor – Showa Boston Institute (Boston)
Jobs 
Comments Off on Job: ESL Instructor – Showa Boston Institute (Boston)
Via Idealist. Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-2014), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: ESL Instructor
Posted by: Showa Boston Institute
Location: Boston, MA
Type: Full-time
Overview:
Showa Boston Institute for Language and Culture, an affiliate of Showa Women’s University Tokyo, has part-time openings for teachers in ESL skills and content courses in the Fall Program September 22 – January 14. Morning skills, afternoon content, and evening TOEIC prep courses available. Read More
Job: Outside Account Representative – Yamamotoyama (East Coast)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Outside Account Representative – Yamamotoyama (East Coast)
Thanks to jet alum Daniel Goldstein for passing this on. Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-2014), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Outside Account Representative
Posted by: Yamamotoyama
Location: East Coast
Type: Full-time
Purpose of Position:
Job: Resident Director, CET Intensive Japanese Language & Culture Studies (Osaka, Japan)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Resident Director, CET Intensive Japanese Language & Culture Studies (Osaka, Japan)
Thanks to Osaka-fu JET alum Kate Maruyama who works for CET for sharing this opening at her organization.
Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-2014), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Resident Director, CET Intensive Japanese Language & Culture Studies
Posted by: CET Academic Programs
Location: Osaka, Japan
Type: Full-time
Overview:
CET Academic Programs seeks a Resident Director for the CET Intensive Japanese Language & Culture Studies in Osaka, Japan.
The Resident Director (RD) oversees the non-academic aspects of CET’s Japan programs. General responsibilities include managing and implementing activities, excursions, housing, Japanese roommate selection and the language pledge. The RD works cooperatively with a small group of CET Japan staff to ensure that overall goals and expectations of the program are being met through these program components. Excellent communication and team work skills are essential. Read More
Job: Instructional Support Specialist Multimedia – Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green, Kentucky)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Instructional Support Specialist Multimedia – Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green, Kentucky)
Thanks to JET alum David Nelson, who works for WKU and found his job through JETwit, for sharing these.
Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-2014), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Instructional Support Specialist (Multimedia)
Posted by: Western Kentucky University
Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Type: Full-time
Overview:
Western Kentucky University aspires to be the University of choice for faculty and staff who are dedicated to helping advance academic excellence. True to its spirit, WKU offers an inviting, nurturing, and challenging work environment, which is responsive to the needs of a diverse and ambitious learning community. WKU’s main campus is located on a hill overlooking the city of Bowling Green (population est. 60,000), and is acclaimed as one of the most beautiful in the nation. We invite you to consider WKU as a place where your academic and professional dreams can be realized. Read More
Job: Instructional Support Specialists – Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green, Kentucky)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Instructional Support Specialists – Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green, Kentucky)
Thanks to JET alum David Nelson, who works for WKU and found his job through JETwit, for sharing these.
Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-2014), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Instructional Support Specialists
Posted by: Western Kentucky University
Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Type: Full-time
Overview:
Western Kentucky University aspires to be the University of choice for faculty and staff who are dedicated to helping advance academic excellence. True to its spirit, WKU offers an inviting, nurturing, and challenging work environment, which is responsive to the needs of a diverse and ambitious learning community. WKU’s main campus is located on a hill overlooking the city of Bowling Green (population est. 60,000), and is acclaimed as one of the most beautiful in the nation. We invite you to consider WKU as a place where your academic and professional dreams can be realized. Read More
Job: Bilingual Mobile Applications Developer Operations Support Specialist (Mountain View, CA)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Bilingual Mobile Applications Developer Operations Support Specialist (Mountain View, CA)
Thanks to Tiffany Knearem (Yamanashi-ken 2011-12) for sharing this JET-relevant listing at her workplace. She says they’re looking to hire ASAP.
Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-2014), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Bilingual Mobile Applications Developer Operations Support Specialist (Japanese)
Location: Mountain View, CA
Type: Full-time
Overview:
A position is available with the growing developer support team of a major mobile application platform. The support specialist will help support app developers in both Japanese and English. This position requires a customer-obsessed individual who is passionate about assisting developers with the timely resolution of issues related to application development and sharing tools. Strong customer service skills and interest in mobile applications are critical. Due to the nature of this role a flexible schedule covering Japanese business hours is required. Read More
Job: Translators – Voltage, Inc.
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Translators – Voltage, Inc.
Via JET Alum Alyssa Hoey (Aomori 2008-2013). Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-2014), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Translator
Posted by: Voltage, Inc.
Overview:
Translators will be provided with scripts from Voltage’s “Koi-game” series and will translate these into English. Emphasis will be on creating a script that will appeal to English-speaking users rather than creating a direct translation of the original script. Scripts should be translated into American English rather than British English. Read More
【RocketNews24】Hello Kitty isn’t a cat!? We called Sanrio to find out!
Article/Journalism, Writers Comments Off on 【RocketNews24】Hello Kitty isn’t a cat!? We called Sanrio to find out!
Posted by Michelle Lynn Dinh (Shimane-ken, Chibu-mura, 2010–13), editor and writer for RocketNews24. The following article was written by Preston Phro, a writer and translator for RocketNews24, a Japan-based site dedicated to bringing fun and quirky news from Asia to English speaking audiences. 
By now you’ve probably read the earth-shattering, heart-rending news that Hello Kitty’s own copyright holder Sanrio recently alleged that the world’s most famous bow-sporting feline isn’t actually a cat. If, like me, you’re a huge fan of Japan’s unofficial mascot, you probably already started going through the five stages of grief, too.
I, however, never got past denial. Instead, I picked up the phone and called Sanrio’s PR department in Japan. My findings will bring your suffering heart some relief.
Continue reading at RocketNews24!
The 113 Project: Tohoku Film Series
Cultural Outreach, Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, Volunteer Comments Off on The 113 Project: Tohoku Film Series
Job: Buyer, Japanese Aerospace (NYC)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Buyer, Japanese Aerospace (NYC)
Via Actus Consulting. If you apply, please make sure to indicate you learned about the listing from JETwit.
Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-2014), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Buyer
Posted by: Japanese Aerospace-Trading Firm
Location: Midtown, NYC
Type: Full-time
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
1.Communication of customer requirements and product information with Japan Offices.
2.Supply Chain management including negotiation with US companies for price, delivery, quality.
3.Process inquiries, quotations, orders, claims, logistics arrangements.
4.Study industry trends and product technology.
5.Responsibility for own accounts. Read More
JETAA UK 2014 Career’s Forum
Jobs Comments Off on JETAA UK 2014 Career’s Forum
Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-2014), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Friday 19 September 2014 – 15:30 to 18:30
JETAA UK supports our members to use their Japan experience professionally and stay in touch with Japan. We have asked alumni from a variety of industries and backgrounds to come and offer advice on the post-JET experience. Get more insight into the job market in the UK and begin leveraging your JET experience to advance personally and professionally. Network and make valuable connections- there may be job opportunities/internships available through some of the organisations represented. Read More
Job: Secretary at Japanese Magnet School (Livonia, MI)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Secretary at Japanese Magnet School (Livonia, MI)
Via the Great Lakes JETAA FB group. Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-2014), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Secretary
Posted by: Japanese Magnet School
Location: Livonia, MI
Type: Full-time
Overview:
This person has the responsibility for a wide range of secretarial and other duties including correspondence, in-house program handouts, biweekly payroll, notices, announcements, parent reminders, assisting with maintenance of school Web site and calendar, and numerous other duties as assigned. Strong phone and in-person communication skills are essential due to daily interaction with parents, students, staff, substitutes, and school district personnel. Read More
Job: Service Delivery Manager – International SOS (NSW, Australia)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Service Delivery Manager – International SOS (NSW, Australia)
Originally posted to the JETAA NSW email newsletter. Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-2014), organizer of Cross-Cultural Kansai. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Service Delivery Manager
Posted by: International SOS
Location: NSW, Australia
Type: Full-time
Overview:
The Service Delivery Manager (SDM) is responsible for deployment and adoption of Group Products for Australian and Japanese MNC customers in their assigned territory. This is a front line, customer facing and customer advocate role responsible for engaging with clients to discuss, understand, and plan for deployment of our products. This position is also responsible for ensuring optimal adoption of the products and their success. Read More
Posted by Tom Baker (Chiba, 1989-91)
Claire Dawn-Marie Gittens (Iwate, 2008-2103) will present “Voice-Training: Making your Words Sing,” a two-hour workshop, at the 2014 Japan Writers Conference. The conference is a free event open to all English-language writers. This year, it will be held on Oct. 25-26 in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture. For complete details, visit http://www.japanwritersconference.org. Meanwhile, here’s the official description of Claire’s workshop:
Filled-in plot holes. 3D characters. Realistic settings… But something’s missing. That je-ne-sais-quoi that has puzzled aspiring and accomplished writers alike. Voice. In this workshop, we will examine different voices, define voice in our own words, and hear the thoughts of the experts. Then we will attempt to make our own voices sing.
Before defining voice, we will listen to a few extracts from different types of voices in different genres. We will discuss the feelings and thoughts these voices evoke. Then, with these voices in mind, we will attempt to define voice. After listening to definitions
from our colleagues, we will hear the thoughts of authors of books on writing craft. Finally, we will do a few short writing segments, aiming to embody different voices using the same character, plot, and setting.
Claire Dawn was such an avid reader as a child that she literally would not put down her book. Her piece ‘Ichinichi on the Yamanote’ can be found in TOMO: Friendship through Fiction. Her work has also appeared in magazines, anthologies, and newspapers, including Japan Times Shukan ST. Born in Barbados, her heart also belongs to Ichinohe, Iwate.
