Life After JET: Moving On
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Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12).
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Back in the USA! Two former Toyama ALTs discuss the ins and outs of Post JET life:
Sketchy English Teaching Jobs (4:12)
“Some of them are shady. Some of them won’t give you pension or health insurance. ” – Val
“Well, the warning sign were 1) ‘Come over on a tourist visa and we’ll take care of it when you’re here’ and 2) ‘We’re not going to be able to process your first paycheck until after two months’.” – Jon
The Decision to Leave (8:55)
“I had wanted to stay for another year or two, and I started looking for other work outside of English teaching. I actually submitted applications and had gotten interviews. And once I got those interviews, I realized I didn’t want to take them. I think in the back of my head, I was thinking ‘If I take this job, will I ever be able to get out of my comfort zone and leave’? I think a lot of ALTs are just so comfortable in Japan for whatever reason.” – Val
Breaking Away from Students/Schools (10:08)
“Breaking up with the students and the teachers– even that whole town– was difficult. It was tough. I was really involved with that school and the sports teams there.” – Randy
“I had a friend tell me ‘Just go home, I guarantee the only thing you’ll miss about Japan is the shopping and the students’. All your friends, the ALTs, they’re all going to leave eventually.” – Val
What You Miss (13:36)
“You don’t ever hear people say they miss the work.” – Jon
English Education in Asia (15:22)
“Is my teaching doing any good? I know it helps a handful of students, but for the rest I don’t know if it makes a huge impact.” – Val
“I found that probably my best students had a strong interest in movies and music. They’d write these quotes that they’re hearing or seeing and actually bringing them to me, asking me ‘What does this mean’? They would come day after day with new content. Those are the kids that ended up going to the best high schools just because of their self-motivation and drive.” – Randy
Decision Tips on Whether to Stay (18:36)
“Don’t do this just for the money. And if you decide to do so, even though you hate everyone around you, shut up.” – Jon
“It got stale for me. I didn’t have any personal motivation to improve. I really didn’t have any personal drive the latter part of my JET year. That connection I had with my kids was what really kept me going.” – Randy
“I was so stressed out. I called my close friends for advice. I wanted to stay, but I don’t know if I should because it’s making me sick. My Dad refers to Japan as Lala Land. ‘I think you’re having fun. You were having a lot of fun, but you can’t keep doing that if you’re not growing as a person.” – Val
Attraction to Japan (24:36)
“There are ALT people in Taiwan too. Most of them don’t stay. I don’t know if they have the same hangup about leaving like people do about Japan.” – Val
Doing Things Differently (27:15)
“Just be more myself when I first arrived. When I first came, I look a lot like the people around me in Japan. It’s really easy for me to go with the flow and blend in with all the other teachers. But after awhile, I said I can’t really do this anymore, I’m not a Japanese teacher. Once I let that go, I was really able to enjoy my classes more.” – Randy
“The best thing to enjoy your time is to be active with the club activities.” – Val
Omiyage Talk (32:40)
“The biggest tip I have is– you don’t have to bring a lot of gifts for your school, BOE, mayor, etc. I did meet those people, but I ended up holding onto my omiyage and giving things to people who really took care of me. You should just bring enough for about 10 people. You’re not trying to buy out other people’s friendship.” – Randy
Getting a Car (38:13)
“If you get put in a big city, then it doesn’t really matter. But I would really recommend getting a car. I made excuses about using the train, biking, walking around. You don’t want to pay for insurance and gas and that type of thing. But I was just really intimidated by the pedestrian traffic and smaller roads. Man, [having a car] would’ve made things so much easier.” – Jon”
Pension Refund (42:00)
Job: Marketing Writer at Social Science Research Council (New York)
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Thanks to JET alum Fernando Rojas for sharing this great opening at SSRC (where Fernando also works). Posted by blogger and podcaster Jon Dao (Toyama-ken, 2009-12). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Marketing Writer
Posted by: Social Science Research Council
Type: Full-time
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Salary: Annual salary will be commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits include health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, and health club reimbursement; annual tuition or student loan reimbursement; outstanding pension plan and tax savings program
Overview:
The Marketing Writer will work closely with the Managing Editor and SSRC program directors to realize communications and editorial projects, which may include but will not be limited to brochures, conference proceedings, press releases, print and digital publications, web features, and program webpages/sites.
Requirements:
- Training and/or professional experience in the social sciences (experience in the humanities may be considered)
- Minimum of four years of successful editorial and/or marketing experience, including budget and project management
- Relevant experience in an academic, foundation, or not-for-profit environment
- Knowledge of digital publication and media is a plus
- Experience in publicity and/or development is optimal
Application Instructions:
Interested applicants should send a detailed letter describing their background and interest in the SSRC, their resume, a relevant writing sample, and the names of three professional colleagues who can serve as references to: applications @ ssrc.org (please indicate “Marketing Writer” in the subject line of your e-mail). Click here to find out more about position.
The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) is an independent, nonprofit international organization devoted to the advancement of interdisciplinary research in the social sciences through a wide variety of workshops and conferences, fellowships and grants, summer training institutes, scholarly exchanges, research, and publications.
WIT Life #247: Takao Osawa bonanza!
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WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends along with her own observations.
Two of Japan’s best current actors, Tatsuya Fujiwara and Takashi Osawa, in Takashi Miike’s Shield of Straw
I’m interpreting for a client in L.A. this week, and on the cross-country flight I had the chance to watch two interesting Japanese movies that were just released this year, making the long journey pass by much more quickly (Thank you Delta!). They both starred one of my favorite Japanese actors, the always かっこいい Takao Osawa. In this blog I have mentioned his appearances in other films, such as in 終の信託 (Tsui no Shintaku or A Terminal Trust) as the intimidating prosecutor. Osawa’s work never disappoints, and even though these particular movies were not necessarily of a genre I would usually opt to watch, he made sticking with them to the end worth it.
The first film was 藁の楯 (Wara no Tate or Shield of Straw), directed by the legendary Takashi Miike and based on the eponymous book by Kazuhiro Kiuchi. It features another one of my favorite performers, the fabulous Tatsuya Fujiwara who I recently highlighted from the film I’M FLASH! which debuted at this year’s Japan Society Japan Cuts film festival. Fujiwara plays a serial killer named Kiyomaru who targets young children, and Osawa is in the role of one of the Special Police assigned to safely escort him from Fukuoka to Tokyo (with Nanako Matsushima as his cracker jack partner). The grandfather of Kiyomaru’s most recent victim offers 1 billion yen to Read More
Job: Program Assistant for the Kakehashi Project at The Laurasian Institution (Seattle)
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Posted by Jayme Tsutsuse (Kyoto-fu, 2013-Present). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Program Assistant
Posted by: The Kakehashi Project
Type: Full-time
Location: Seattle, WA
Salary: $28,000-$29,000
Start Date: to start October 1, 2013 and end on March 31, 2015
Overview:
The Kakehashi Project is a large-scale youth exchange program between Japan and the United States. As part of an international team, the Program Assistant supports planning and implementation of study tours for a variety of ages. Groups of students from schools throughout the U.S. travel to Japan for two weeks, and Japanese students visit the U.S. in a reciprocal program. The Program Assistant will be responsible for:
- Serving as a liaison between U.S. schools and partner organizations in Japan
- Working with a team to develop educational itineraries for incoming tours of Japanese students and travel with groups as needed
- Maintaining content on website and in print materials
- Responding to inquiries, organizing receipts, writing reports, and other duties as assigned
Requirements:
- Highly functional English and Japanese abilities (minimum JLPT Level 2/N2 or equivalent)
- Work experience in any or all of the following fields: Japanese educational system, youth exchange, grassroots internationalization, event planning, and non-profit organizations
- Ability to handle emergencies and work under pressure
- Strong communication skills, both oral and written
- Tech-savvy highly preferred; familiarity with FileMaker, Dreamweaver, Adobe Creative Suite, FileZilla, Word, Excel, a strong plus
- Flexible schedule; ability to travel up to two weeks at a time and work overtime as needed
Application Instructions:
Send your resume and cover letter to Megan Bernard at mbernard@laurasian.org . (No phone calls)
Additional Information:
For more information please visit their website and Job Listing.
The 2013 Canada Conference Report
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Via JETAA Ottawa. Posted by Gemma Villanueva (Fukushima 2008-11), the current newsletter editor for the JETAA Ottawa Newsletter.
Note from JETAA Québec/Atlantique:
The 2013 JETAA Canada Conference, nicknamed “CanCon”, was held in Montréal, Québec, from May 24 to 26. It was hosted by JETAA Québec/Atlantique, with the support and sponsorship of CLAIR (Council of Local Authorities for International Relations) through the Japan Local Government Center (JLGC) in New York, and MoFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) of Japan through the Consulate-General of Japan at Montréal.
In attendance were JETAA delegates from the 5 of 6 other Canadian chapters, namely BC/Yukon, Southern Alberta, Manitoba/Saskatchewan, Toronto and Ottawa; representatives from the JLGC, as well as staff from the Japanese Consulate at Montreal. A representative of the Embassy of Japan was also present as an observer.
This year’s keynote presentation, “JET: From Classroom to Career”, addressed the challenge of what is seldom a fluid transition from Japanese classrooms to a career back home.
Download your copy of the 2013 JETAA Canada Conference report now! (PDF, 1.81 MB) Direct link here: http://www.jetaaottawa.ca/images/pdf/2013%20jetaa%20canada%20conference%20montral%20-%20report.pdf
Let’s Talk Japan Podcast, Episode 15 – JET Alumni Bike Shikoku’s 88 Temple Pilgrimage
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Let’s Talk Japan is a monthly, interview format podcast covering a wide range of Japan-related topics. Host Nick Harling (Mie-ken, 2001-03) lived in Japan from 2001 until 2005, including two great years as a JET Program participant in Mie-Ken. He practices law in Washington, D.C., and lives with his wife who patiently listens to him talk about Japan . . . a lot.
In this episode, Nick speaks with JET Program alumni Chelsea Reidy and Elayna Snyder about their upcoming 900-mile bicycle tour of Shikoku’s famous 88 temple pilgrimage.
Listen to hear them describe their creative “Temple by Temple Project,” which they are funding through Kickstarter, and how they plan to share their adventure with others.
To learn more, check out their website, www.bigricefield.com, and the Temple by Temple Project on Kickstarter.
Enjoy!
Nick
Job: Modern/Contemporary Japanese Literature, Film, Cultural Studies, Assistant Professor – Princeton University
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Thanks to JET Alum Journalist Tom Baker for sharing this job listing he saw on the Shinpaideshou blog (which I think is run by a JET alum). Posted by Kim ‘Kay’ Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Assistant Professor, Modern/Contemporary Japanese Literature, Film, Cultural Studies
Posted by: Princeton University, East Asian Studies
Type: N/A
Location: New Jersey
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A
Overview:
The Department of East Asian Studies at Princeton University invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor in Japanese literature, film, or cultural studies with a focus on modern or contemporary Japan. The successful candidate should have a strong commitment to excellence in teaching and research.
Candidates should submit a vita, detailed letter of application, writing sample (25 pages max), dissertation abstract and chapter outline, and three letters of recommendation. A Ph.D. must be in hand or expected by September 1, 2014. The review of applications will begin on October 15, 2013. Applications will be considered until the position is filled. AA/EOE.
Please apply online and upload your documents to http://jobs.princeton.edu (Req. # 1300546).
We ask that referees send their letters to: Chair, Japanese Literature/Film/Cultural Studies Search Committee, East Asian Studies Department, Princeton University, 211 Jones Hall, Princeton, NJ 08544.
Website: http://jobs.princeton.edu
Job: Asian Art Museum – Executive Assistant to the Museum Director (SF)
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Via the Foundation Center. Posted by Kim ‘Kay’ Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Executive Assistant to the Museum Director
Posted by: Asian Art Museum
Type:
Location: San Francisco, California
Salary: Competitive Salary and Benefits Package
Start Date:
Overview:
The Asian Art Museum seeks a skilled, resourceful, and motivated individual to serve as a confidential assistant to the Museum Director, relieving him of a variety of administrative and organizational matters, and managing the daily operations of the Executive Office. This is an exciting opportunity for a dedicated high level professional assistant to participate in the management of a major San Francisco institution supporting a renowned scholar and distinguished leader.
The ideal candidate will possess superb interpersonal and organizational skills; impeccable tact, discretion, and judgment; and exceptional initiative.; A good cultural fit for this position is someone who has an exceptional work ethic, is passionate about the museum’s mission, and is flexible, positive, and committed to excellence. A sense of humor and a broad perspective are also very desirable. The nature of the position requires the exercise of independent judgment on complicated and difficult administrative matters; the addressing of delicate, sensitive, and confidential information for management in an expeditious and effective manner.; Additionally, the position requires the establishment and maintenance of effective working relationships with the staff, members of the Commission and Foundation, volunteers, the general public, and outside organizations. The Executive Assistant will maintain and manage schedules and work flow; handle inquiries, correspondence, visitors, and telephone calls; arrange travel, meetings and events; develop and implement office procedures and systems; organize and maintain files and records; administer expense reports, budgets, and other related financial matters; research, compile, and summarize a variety of informational materials; and perform a variety of special projects in support of the Director. Read More
Job: Administrative Assistant to Executive – Japanese OR Spanish (Detroit area)
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Thanks to JETAA Chicago’s Victoria Nugent, who works for the Consulate in Chicago, for sharing this listing. Posted by Kim ‘Kay’ Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Administrative Assistant to Executive – Japanese or Spanish.
Posted by: Foreign Staffing, Inc.
Type: Full-Time/Permanent
Location: Greater Detroit Area
Salary: $50,000 to $60,000
Start Date: Immediate
Overview:
The Administrative Assistant will provide executive level administrative support to the Vice-President, as well as, coordinate functional group meetings and travel arrangements.
Language Requirement:
-Fluent in English and Japanese OR
-Fluent in English and Spanish
Experience:
-Minimum of 5 years’ experience in an executive administrative role
-Extensive experience with coordinating international travel
-Extensive experience supporting directors, VPs, and C-suite executives Read More
Job: Staff Assistant – Department of German, Russian and Asian Languages & Literatures a Tufts University (Boston)
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Thanks to Carleen Ben for passing on this international education exchange listing. Posted by Kim ‘Kay’ Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Staff Assistant -Department of German, Russian and Asian Languages & Literatures
Posted by: Tufts University
Type: N/A
Location: Medford, Massachusetts
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A
Overview:
The Department of German, Russian & Asian Languages & Literatures at Tufts University offers two master’s degrees in German (M.A. in German and M.A. in German with Teaching Licensure), undergraduate majors in German Languages and Literatures, German Studies, Chinese, Japanese, Russian Languages and Literatures, Russian and East European Studies and – in conjunction with other departments -, Asian Studies, Judaic Studies and International Literary & Visual Studies. There are also programs in Hebrew and in Arabic Language. Students can minor in Arabic, Chinese, German, Hebrew, Japanese, Russian, and in conjunction with other departments – Asian Studies and Judaic Studies. Read More
JQ Magazine: Book Review – ‘Pink Globalization: Hello Kitty’s Trek Across the Pacific’
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“Pink Globalization is a culmination of over ten years of Yano’s fieldwork and research on the international ubiquity of Hello Kitty as an example of Japan’s actions as a tastemaker in global kawaii.” (Duke University Press)
By Jessica Sattell (Fukuoka-ken, 2007-08) for JQ magazine. Jessica is a freelance writer and a graduate student in arts journalism. She readily admits that while she is an avid Hello Kitty fan, she is always going to like Chococat more.
For many, young and old, female and male, Hello Kitty (or Kitty-chan, as her diehard fans lovingly call her) has been a lifelong friend. As I toted around my review copy of the new Pink Globalization: Hello Kitty’s Trek Across the Pacific—to my part-time job, to coffee shops, on a recent trip—strangers cooed over the cover’s soft pink color scheme and photograph of one of artist Tom Sachs’s renditions of the famous feline. Kitty led the way into my very first experiences with Japan, and her ever-presence has enriched my life in ways that I didn’t fully understand until diving in to Christine R. Yano’s research.
The wide-eyed little cat has been Japan’s acting ambassador for decades, and her global travels had (and continue to have) profound impacts on generations of consumers and culture shapers. Pink Globalization is a culmination of over ten years of Yano’s fieldwork and research on the international ubiquity of Hello Kitty as an example of Japan’s actions as a tastemaker in global kawaii.
Yano, who is Professor and Chair of Anthropology at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, explains that Kitty’s rise, development and continuing presence as perpetuated by both parent company Sanrio and an ever-growing fandom provides a rich text from which to examine a multitude of contemporary issues. Yano coins the term “pink globalization” here to refer to the spread of “cute” goods and images from Japan to other parts of the world, and it connects the actions of global capitalism with Japan’s “coolness” in its soft cultural products.
JETAA UK Networking Reception in the Midlands (UK)
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Via JETAA UK. Posted by Kim ‘Kay’ Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Job: Cultural/General Information Assistant at the Consulate General of Japan, Edinburgh
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Via JETAA UK. Posted by Kim ‘Kay’ Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Cultural/General Information Assistant
Posted by: The Consulate General of Japan
Type: Temporary Position To Cover Maternity Leave – 9 Month Contract
Location: Edinburgh
Salary: £70.00 per day
Start Date: October 7th 2013
Overview:
The Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh is seeking to recruit a temporary member of staff.
The post offered is for a Cultural/General Information Assistant to cover maternity leave. The contract is for a period of approximately 9 months.
Main Duties
- Assist diplomats when required, for example, letter/speech writing and arrangement of cultural events and receptions.
- Assist diplomats with matters relating to the JET programme.
- Answer telephone/email/visitor enquiries from the public and press.
- Cut out Japan related newspaper articles and copy to diplomats.
- Post magazines/cultural information when required.
- Update website when required.
- Assist other diplomats when required. Read More
Job: Study Abroad Advisor, Emory University, Center for International Programs Abroad (Atlanta)
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Thanks to JET Alum Carleen Ben for sharing this posting. Posted by Kim ‘Kay’ Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Study Abroad Advisor
Posted by: Emory University, Center for International Programs Abroad
Type: N/A
Location: Atlanta, GA
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A
Overview:
- Advises for several semester study abroad programs and serves as point person for issues pertaining to these programs.
- Assists with general study abroad advising, pre-departure orientations, classroom presentations, and other marketing/recruiting events within the University.
- Coordinates International Transient Study.
- Advises semester and summer students with visa processes, including international students going to a third country.
- Advises semester and summer students on internal and external scholarships, and coordinates travel grant and other program-specific scholarships managed by CIPA.
- Assists with Minority Outreach Initiative.
- Coordinates various processes related to CIPA summer programs including faculty offer letters and external program arrangements.
- Manages the cipa@emory.edu
- Serves as CIPA’s First Year Experience (FYE) liaison with Campus Life and the Global Cultures residence hall.
- Maintains and updates brochure pages and budget sheets for advising areas on the CIPA website.
- Serves as front-line advising staff and covers reception as needed. Read More
Japan Writers Conference
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Tom Baker (Chiba, 1989-91) recently posted a video about the Japan Writers Conference on his Tokyo Tom Baker blog. One of the writers featured in it is novelist and anthology editor Suzanne Kamata (Tokushima, 1988-90). Also shown is novelist Holly Thompson, who first came to Japan in connection with the pre-JET MEF program.
The Japan Writers Conference is an English-language event held in a different part of Japan every year. There are usually about 30 presentations by writers in different fields on a variety of topics.
This video was made at the sixth annual JWC in Kyoto, where some of the presenters described what they had spoken about, what other presentations they had enjoyed, and what advice they might have for anyone thinking about going next time.
The seventh annual conference is coming up in November in Okinawa. You can find details on the official website HERE.
Incidentally, you can see video highlights of a past JWC presentation by Tom HERE, and you can learn more about Suzanne and her many books at her website HERE.
