JETAA Chapter Beat is a periodic mosaic of events taking place in the JETAA sphere. Compiled by AJET‘s Director of Alumni Relations Megan Buhagiar (Ishikawa Prefecture, 2017- Present)

1. JETAA UK

Tsurugu Shamisen and Japanese Folk Song Performance and Shamisen Workshop

DATE:                  October 13^th

TIME:                    14:00 – 16:00

VENUE: St Peter’s Chaplaincy, Oxford Road, Manchester

COST:    Free

DETAILS:

JETAA North West and Japan Society North West present a unique opportunity to experience Japanese traditional music. At this free event, Hibiki Ichikawa, a Tsurugu Shamisen player, will be accompanied by singer Akari Mochitsuki in performing traditional Japanese folk songs. Originating in Aomori, in North-Eastern Japan, Tsugaru Shamisen is played on the largest size shamisen, which has a deep, rich and percussive sound. In addition to a fascinating performance, there will be a workshop where members of the audience get a chance to try their hand at playing instruments, join in with the songs, and interact with the performers.

Hibiki Ichikawa has been playing Shamisen since he was 20. He came to the UK in 2012 and has been increasing his profile ever since. He teaches Shamisen to more than 20 students and has performed across the UK and regularly in Berlin. Additionally, he played shamisen for the soundtrack of the popular animated film Kubo and the Two Strings.

Araki Mochizuki is the only Japanese Blues (enka) singer in the UK. After moving to the UK, she studied drama in Cambridge and contemporary music in London. She started her career as a professional singer in 2009 and since then has performed at many events such as WOMAD 2010, HYPER JAPAN, and Japan Matsuri 2009, 2010 and 2012.

 

RSVP:    nwvicechair@jetaa.org.uk by October 6^th.

 

2. JETAA NY

Fall Harvest and Apple Picking *Save the Date*

Please *SAVE THE DATE*, set your calendars, and plan to join JETAANY on our annual day trip up to Dutchess County for the day on Saturday, October 6 to visit apple orchards and other fun sites. This year we will be renting vans, so there will be several convenient pick-up sites, and we plan to visit apple orchards and perhaps a dairy farm and an ice cream shop.

More information coming soon. Both JET Alumni and Friends-of-JET are welcome!

 

3. JETAASC

LA Job Fair

WHEN:   5^th – 6^th October

WHERE:              Pasadena Convention Center

300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101

Job Fair Center Website: here

Convention Center Website: here

Looking for a new job this Fall that utilizes your Japanese skils? Then sign up for the Los Angeles career forum! There will be opportunities to meet the representatives from big name industries and some companies may even offer a job on the spot. Please check out the website for more details and how to apply. What are you waiting for?!

 

4. JETAA WJ & JALT Resume writing and life after JET workshop, October 29^th

JETAA WJ & JALT Resume writing and life after JET workshop

On October 29th JETAA WJ will co-host with the Kobe JALT chapter an event for those who are interested in learning about how to polish their resumes (specifically in the language education field) to prepare for job hunting. JALT is the Japan Association for Language Teaching (https://sites.google.com/site/kobejalt/home).

In addition, we will have three current JET alumni (of both ALT and CIR background) to talk about their life post JET. The event will be followed by a networking dinner at The Sky Buffet, a short walk from the venue (Map: https://goo.gl/maps/AnsdPoo4S472).

Dinner is 1990 yen (+tax) per adult and all-you-can-drink alcohol is 990 (+tax) for women and 1290 (+tax) for men. Please indicate in the comments if you’ll be attending the dinner afterward. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

 

 

Event fee:

Free for current JETs and JALT members,
1000 yen for non-JALT members

Location:

Kobe International House 神戸国際会館
(Map: https://goo.gl/maps/H8Y2A8FHsNG2)
ROOM 804

Event details:

15:00 – 16:00 Resume writing workshop

Speakers:

Michael Parrish and Richard Miller

Michael Parrish and Richard Miller are long term residents of Japan. Richard is an associate professor at Kobe Gakuin University, and Michael is an assistant professor at Kwansei Gakuin University. They have been the JALT Job Information Center (JIC) coordinators for a number of years writing, giving presentations and running the booth at the annual JALT conference. They have given presentations, talks and workshops on professional development throughout Japan, Dubai and Kenya. Their regular columns appear in the JALT CUE publications as well as other publications and have an upcoming book chapter “Transforming your Academic Curriculum Vitae (CV) into a Career Strategy Tool” in Advancing the ELT Practices which will be published by Zayed University

16:00 – 17:00 JET Alumni panel (Q&A included)
Speakers:

Shari Yamamoto

Cory Ballantyne

Shari Yamamoto is a fourth generation Japanese-American born and raised in Hawaii. She first came to Japan as an exchange student on a year-long program and later returned to work as a Coordinator for International Relations for the JET Program after graduating from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. After raising three children, Shari rejoined the workforce as the only foreign administrative staff at an international exchange center at a private university where she gained experience in inbound/outbound student exchange and on-campus international exchange. She was fortunate to spearhead the implementation of a large scale Self-Access Learning Center and discovered a passion for student development, educational program development, and the internationalization of higher education in Japan. Starting another chapter in her life, Shari is currently pursuing a graduate degree in International Cooperation Studies at Kobe University.

17:00 ~ Dinner at The Sky Buffet

Please indicate in the comments if you’ll be attending the dinner afterward. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

 

 

5. JETAA DC

JET Talks Ramen Night

DATE:                  Saturday, October 6^th

TIME:                    17:30 – 22:00

VENUE: Tastemakers, 2800 10^th St NE, Washington, DC 20017

Buy your tickets here!

JETAA DC’s annual JET Talks event, Ramen Night, is back and bigger than ever! Come for the unlimited noodles, stay for the talk from our host and ramen expert, Josh, and learn about the history and techniques behind the bowls.

Due to the overwhelming popularity of this event, we will be offering two separate 2-hour time slots this year.

Choose between 17:30 – 19:30 or 20:00 – 22:00 and bring an empty stomach to slurp your way through the two full-sized bowls of ramen that come with your ticket and one free drink redeemable at the cash bar.

So when you’re full on ramen, why not try our signature chuhai-inspired cocktail, specially created by JETAA DC and Tastemakers for the event. Non-alcoholic drinks are, of course, available.

Ramen menu will include three of Joshua’s traditional tonkotsu ramen styles (Kurume, Tokotsu Shoyu, and Northern Nami), a vegetarian Miso (egg optional) and of course the spicy garlicky bowl called, “I’ll sleep on the couch”.

Stick around for Josh’s JET Talk at 19:30, and at the end of the night take home a bottle of Josh’s homemade ramen chili oil as a souvenir!

We’ve also moved locations: Ramen Night is now being held at Tastemakers, a hop community kitchen for food entrepreneurs & startups. Each ticket will include one free drink redeemable at the cash bar, so when you’re full on ramen, why not try our signature, chuhai-inspired cocktail, specially created by JETAA DC and Tastemakers for the event? And at the end of the night take home a bottle of Josh’s homemade ramen chili oil as a souvenir.

Tickets will be going fast, so make sure you buy yours soon! Former JETs and Friends of JET are welcome!

Calling for volunteers! We’re looking for about 10 volunteers to come and give us a hand. All volunteers will be assigned to 1-hour slots and given complimentary entry tickets to the event. Please send us an e-mail at jettalks@jetaadc.org with “Ramen Night Volunteer Sign-up” in the title if you’re interested.

 

6. JETAA NC, Hosted by US JETAA

Webinar: You’ve Finished the JET Program. Now What?

DATE:                  Thursday October 18^th

TIME:                   20:00 – 21:00 EDT

VENUE: Zoom Meetings

It can be difficult to make the transition to your life after JET. This webinar is here to help. Featuring JET alumni with expertise in careers and recruiting, this webinar will help you figure out how JET fits into your career path, help you describe your JET experience in a way that employers will understand, teach how to utilize LinkedIn, and much more!
 

Speakers:
Emily Frank (Hokkaido, 1993-1996) graduated from Smith College and was an AET in southern Hokkaido from 1993-1996. After spending a lot of time afterwards feeling lost, she eventually got a master’s degree in counseling and now helps others who are similarly lost regarding careers. She spent over 12 years working at a large public university, and has been in private practice since January, 2018. Emily is based in Denver but does distance work with clients from all over the globe. Through generous grants from organizations like Sasakawa Peace Foundation, she has also been able to offer free career counseling to JET alumni in the past, and has enjoyed reconnecting with fellow JETs that way.
Kamara Toffolo (Gunma, 2007-2008) is a resume writer, LinkedIn consultant, and job search strategist who helps her clients DARE to do work DIFFERENTLY! Whether a bold and brazen professional ready to shake things up and make a BIG career change, a go-getting manager primed to score a well-deserved promotion, or a high-impact executive strategizing their next career transition, Kamara helps her clients from around the globe land great-fitting gigs! Kamara has been a featured writer and expert in many publications including Forbes, Business Insider, Inc., Mashable, and The Muse to name a few. She is an Erickson Certified Professional Coach, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Entrepreneurial Management.
 

Rob Uy (Fukuoka, 1989-1991) is Principal of RSU Consulting and is a sought-after career coach who quickly and effectively establishes productive relationships built on mutual trust and respect. Rob draws on nearly 20 years of human resources leadership for Fortune 500 global technology and services firms and as a coach, trainer and consultant for individuals and companies across all vertical industries. Rob has developed a highly personalized method for working with professionals at all levels. He inspires them to “find their voice,” tell their story effectively, and experience a genuine and revitalized perspective on who they are and where they want to go.

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/621315342

Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +16699006833,,621315342# or +19294362866,,621315342#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 929 436 2866
Webinar ID: 621 315 342
International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/Bktgc2QF

 

 

7. JETAA Singapore

JETAA Homecoming Gala

DATE:                  Friday, October 5^th

TIME:                    19:00 – 21:00 UTC+08

VENUE: The Japanese Association

120 Adam Road, Singapore 289899

Dear JETAA Singapore Members

Come join us in welcoming back the new returnees of 2018 from the JET programme at the JET Homecoming Gala on 5 Oct!
Date: 5 Oct 2018 (Friday)
Time: 7pm to 9pm (registration starts at 6.30pm)
Venue: Japanese Association Singapore
Address: 120 Adam Road, Singapore 289899
Please sign up using this link https://goo.gl/forms/cfA76Ot5azyDch7k2
Hope to see you at the reception!

8. JETAA ABC

DATE:                  October 5^th

TIME:                    19:30 – 21:30 PDT

VENUE: JETAA ABC

495 West Georgia Street PO BOX 2462,

Vancouver, British Columbia

(To register, please enter your information in the following Google Sheet.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=141yCh0f6eixUdDoIdbzepPgxsszVXSRjbMZwrvX5Atg)

Welcome Back, JET Alumni of 2018!
お疲れ様でした! 　バンクーバーにようこそ！
そして、バンクーバー人の皆様、ただいま！

Come out and meet fellow JET alumni on October 5th, 2018. Come share all your amazing stories from your time on JET and about Japan in general.

To all the recent alumni as returnees to Vancouver or as someone who had just moved here post-JET: I’m sure most of you would have questions about things like reverse culture-shock, getting back into the groove of things in Canada, or maybe just about what to do in Vancouver, this would be the perfect event to get it all out of your systems!

To all the current alumni: Come greet your new fellow alumni! Revive your memories and excitement about your time in Japan and JET again. Share your stories and experiences over food and drinks.

Appetizers will be provided at the Welcome Back Reception. Please RSVP by following the link below by October 3rd, 2018 Hope to see you all there!

Our social will be divided into 2 segments. The details of our event are as follows:

Event 1: Welcome Back Reception
Location: Earls Test Kitchen
905 Hornby Street , Vancouver BC
Time: 7:30pm – 9:30pm

Event 2: Karaoke Nijikai (カラオケ二次会)
Location: Fantacity
1133 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1V9
Time: 9:30pm – whenever!
Feel free to register for either segment, or both!

To register, please enter your information in the following Google Sheet.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=141yCh0f6eixUdDoIdbzepPgxsszVXSRjbMZwrvX5Atg

If you have any questions or concerns please contact Ian at membership@jetaabc.ca

 

 

9. JETAA Toronto

JETAA Interchapter Adventure in Prince Edward County

Hosted by:          JET Alumni Association Toronto and JETAA Ottawa

DATE:                  Sunday, 27^th October

TIME:                    11:00 – 19:00 EDT

PLACE:  Prince Edward County

Our third annual JETAA Ottawa x JETAA Toronto interchapter event is coming soon, with this year’s adventure taking place in Prince Edward County. More details to come!

We will be checking out local breweries and wineries, having a meal (or two), and possibly making a trek over to Sandbanks Provincial Park for a hike. Other optional side tours include stops at a lavender and alpaca farms.

We will try our best to arrange carpooling to the event, so if you are looking for a ride or are willing to be a driver, please let your local chapter know.

Have you been to PEC? Do you have any suggestions of fun things to do, or have something unique you’d like to try? Send them along to Clarissa at chair@jetaatoronto.ca

10. JETAA Music City

Nashville Area Monthly Tomodachi-Kai

DATE:          Wednesday, October 10^th

TIME:            From 18:00

VENUE:       Nashville East Beer Works

320 E Trinity Ln,

Nashville, Tennessee 37207

oin former and future JETs and others in the Nashville area who have a connection with Japan for a relaxed hangout where networking is encouraged. East Nashville Beer Works extends their happy hour special for our group, so come get delicious pizza and beer while you meet

JETAAMC hosts a Tomodachi-Kai every second Wednesday at East Nashville Beer Works.

Lillian Rowlatt (Niigata-ken, 2003-2005) is starting a Kickstarter campaign that many JET alums might be interested in!

By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02). Justin has written about Japanese arts and entertainment for JETAA since 2005. For more of his articles, click here.

The Japan-centric events of the month ahead promise to be as rich and full as autumn itself—brisk and colorful, with a dash of unpredictability.

This month’s highlights include:

Oct. 4-7

New York Comic Con

Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, 655 West 34th Street

$50 (for Thursday, Oct. 4)

Breaking attendance records each year, the East Coast’s biggest gathering for fans of comics, film, anime and manga returns with its biggest roster of Hollywood talent to date, featuring exclusive screenings, gaming, cosplay photo ops, and more! Enjoy interactive panels on Oct. 4-6 from publishers Vertical Comics and Kodansha Comics, and check them out at booth #2109 to pick up con-exclusive merch and pre-release titles like APOSIMZ, Battle Angel Alita and The Ghost in the Shell: Global Neural Network. Special guests this year include Masako Nozawa (discussing the upcoming film Dragon Ball Super: Broly at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden Oct. 5), Toshihiro Kawamoto (Cowboy Bebop) and Akira Himekawa (The Legend of Zelda)!

Friday, Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m.

Hidejiro Honjoh x ICE: Shamisen Evolution

Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street

$38, $30 members

Listen to Hidejiro Honjoh, young shamisen prodigy and disciple of Hidetaro Honjoh, create this traditional instrument’s 21st-century voice in an evening featuring living composers from the U.S. and Japan. Joined by members of the most sought-after contemporary music group International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), Hidejiro delivers three world premieres composed by Grammy-nominee Vijay Iyer, Nathan Davis and Yu Kuwabara. The program also includes pieces by Yuji Takahashi and Dai Fujikura, along with the U.S. premiere of the full score of Scott Johnson’s Up and Back for shamisen, electric guitar, cello and piano. Followed by a MetLife Meet-the-Artists Reception.

Oct. 24-28

The Food Film Festival

Locations and prices vary

Taste what you see on the screen! The Food Film Festival specializes in creating multisensory food and film experiences. At their events, guests watch films about food and simultaneously taste the exact dishes they see on the screen…right in their seats! This year’s events include the world premiere of Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown / Lower East Side (Oct. 24), and Chikarashi: Sustainable, Chef-Driven Poke Bowl (Oct. 26), about the Manhattan-based contemporary sea-to-table eatery inspired by Japanese and Hawaiian cuisine. For a complete listing, click here.

Read More

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Job Title: Coordinator of Global Student Services
Posted by: St. John’s University
Location: Queens, NY
Contract: Full-Time

See below: An opening in the Office of Global Studies at St. John’s University.

The Office of Global Studies at St. John’s University is seeking a Coordinator of Global Student Services on our Queens Campus.  We request that all interested candidates apply with a cover letter and resume through the online University system by October 10, 2018.  Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Position Summary:  The Coordinator of Global Student Services will assist the Assistant Director of Global Student Services in helping to ensure the quality of the student experience on the University’s programs abroad by managing pre-departure processes, supporting the health and safety of students abroad, and providing resources to students upon return from Global Studies programs.  This position reports to the Assistant Director of Global Student Services, and plays a significant role in managing the inbound and outbound exchange program.  This is a great opportunity to work directly with students, hone project management skills, and enter the field of international higher education.  We are looking for someone who demonstrates initiative, is a good problem solver, has strong time management and communication skills, and emphasizes attention to detail.  More information on the Office of Global Studies is available here.

Detailed job description & application link: https://stjohnsedu.silkroad.com/epostings/?fuseaction=app.jobinfo&jobid=218468&version=1&source=listserv

St. John’s offers a competitive compensation program which is commensurate with your qualifications, experience, and contingent upon the departmental budget.  We also offer an extremely comprehensive benefits program to meet the diverse needs of our workforce.  Along with exceptional benefits such as medical, dental, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, tuition remission, generous 403(b) employer contribution, employee assistance program, and liberal paid time off policies, faculty and staff can also enjoy St. John’s performing arts, libraries, bookstores, dining facilities, campus recreation and sporting events.

St. John’s University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from women and minorities.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Job Title: Project Manager (Marketing/Advertising)
Posted by: WHM Creative
Location: Oakland, CA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to JET alum, Cameron Katamari (Chiba-ken) for sharing another job opening with his agency:

Read More

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Job Title: Senior Copywriter (Marketing/Advertising)
Posted by: WHM Creative
Location: Oakland, CA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to JET alum, Cameron Katamari (Chiba-ken) for the following job opening with his agency:

Hi, we’re WHM. We’re a small, but mighty team of marketing strategists, creative visionaries, designers, copywriters and account managers who solve problems—and we do it creatively. Every day, we’re on a mission to rid the B2B marketing world of “blah.” Here’s how we do it:

We run from run of the mill. We run from lazy marketing. We run from safe. From jargon. From boring. We run toward unexpected, educated, and compelling solutions that solve problems and make people think and feel and take action.

We’re powered by curiosity. We’re curious about data, about facts, about the story behind the story, and about the people we’re trying to reach. We transform all that information into insight and truly bold creative that delivers.

We play the long game. We’re hyper-focused on producing the best work possible and doing what’s right for our clients. Process and profit should never get in the way of that.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We’re in search of a creative, curious, optimistic and resourceful Senior Copywriter to develop and execute marketing and advertising campaigns and content for a wide range of clients. You have a big imagination, strong visual ideas to compliment your mastery of the written word, and a team-player mentality that’s equal parts assertive and collaborative. You’re driven to solve challenging problems and create engaging messages that make a connection and drive action.

You’ll be working with an intimate team of in-house and freelance creatives on projects for a diverse mix of clients, from a leading cloud computing enterprise (yes, that means you should like learning about complex subjects) to a new direct-to-consumer online diamond retailer. Brand development, integrated campaigns, digital media, content—it’s all up for grabs and it’s all in your wheelhouse. Read More

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Job Title: Staff Attorney
Posted by: Rutgers Law School
Location: Newark/Camden, NJ, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Here’s a couple of law positions for interested JET alumni:

Rutgers Law School has two non-teaching attorney positions available to work on joint projects of the Immigrant Justice Clinic and the Child Advocacy Clinic.

STAFF ATTORNEY

First, the Rutgers Child Advocacy Clinic at Rutgers Law School in Newark, New Jersey seeks to hire a full-time Staff Attorney to begin immediately.

The Staff Attorney will work on two separate, but closely related projects involving immigrant children: (1) The Staff Attorney will recruit, train, and mentor pro bono immigration practitioners who are willing to represent immigrant child clients where there is a potential claim for

Special Immigration Juvenile Status (SIJS); and (2) the Staff Attorney will provide immigration representation to children in North Jersey who are in the custody of the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency.  The position will be based on the Law School’s Newark campus, although there may be some ability to split time between the Newark and Camden campuses at the option of the attorney.

The ideal candidate will have 1-3 years of experience in either family law or immigration law, along with excellent oral and written communication skills.  Bilingual (Spanish) preferred, but not required.  Experience working with children preferred, but not required. Salary $65-75,000.  This position is externally funded and contingent upon available funds.  This is the third year of the project, which is anticipated to move from one-year to two-year contract cycles shortly.

Application Process: Please click here to apply.

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SUPERVISING ATTORNEY

Second, the Rutgers Child Advocacy Clinic at Rutgers Law School in Newark, New Jersey and the Rutgers Immigrant Justice Clinic at Rutgers Law School in Camden, New Jersey are seeking to hire a Full-Time Supervising Attorney (non-teaching) to begin immediately.

The supervising attorney will report to the Clinic Directors and will provide supervision on an externally funded Project where attorneys and a paralegal are providing legal representation to children in New Jersey’s foster care system with regard to their immigration needs. The supervising attorney also will handle a caseload and provide direct immigration representation to children in New Jersey who are involved with the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency. It is required that anyone applying for the position have at least five years of experience in immigration law and some exposure to family law. Additionally, the supervising attorney must be bilingual (English/Spanish) and have access to a car. The ideal candidate also will have some past supervisory experience. The position will be based on the Law School’s Newark campus, but some travel to the Law School’s Camden campus will be required. Please note that this is not a teaching position.

Salary $75-80,000. This position is externally funded and contingent upon available funds.  This is the third year of the project, which is anticipated to move from one-year to two-year contract cycles shortly.

Application Process: Please click here to apply.

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Job Title: Administrative Assistant, Public Affairs Section
Posted by: Embassy of Japan
Location: Washington, DC
Contract: Full-Time

Here’s a job via the Embassy of Japan:

The Embassy of Japan is seeking a highly motivated, team-oriented individual for the position of Administrative Assistant for the Public Affairs section. This individual is primarily responsible for managing the schedules and activities of diplomats in the Public Affairs Section. This position also assists with cultural events and programs as well as produces written materials for public distribution and handles press-related duties. Please see below for a detailed listing of responsibilities.

Working hours are 9:00 am – 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday, with lunch time receptionist duty once a month and regular weeknight and/or weekend events (paid overtime). Salary is commensurate with experience and skills of the candidate. Benefit includes group health insurance coverage, paid time off, sick leave and annual bonus. There is a potential salary increase based on individual performance.

Please note: Candidates must be either a U.S. citizen or a U.S. green card holder. Screening will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Only successful candidates will be contacted. Successful candidates will be requested to submit background check information.

Responsibilities:

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Job Title: Administrative Director, Japan-United States Educational Commission (Fulbright Japan)
Posted by: Fulbright Japan
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Contract: Full-Time

Here’s a JET-relevant job forwarded to us:

Position Summary 

The Administrative Director is responsible for planning, coordinating, and supervising all activities relating to administrative, financial, and personnel matters of the Commission and the Secretariat. In addition, the Administrative Director will assist in strategic planning for fundraising.

• Analyzes and prepares all budgetary aspects of the annual JUSEC program proposal for initial submission to the Commission and subsequently to the U.S. and Japanese governments
• Supervises all financial transactions and prepares all financial documents for annual audit by a public accountant
• Maintains commitment and disbursement records for individual grantees (approximately 100 yearly)
• Drafts all communications to the Finance Committee and U.S. State Dept. relating to budgeting, financing and accounting matters
• Manages personnel matters for the Secretariat such as: supervision of recruitment of new personnel; processing promotions; annual performance evaluations; annual cost-of-living adjustments; and makes recommendations for updating the Personnel Policy Handbook
• Devises strategy for and initiates fundraising outreach attempts with potential external corporate and private individual donors
• Coordinates all administrative logistical support functions including procurement of office equipment, supplies and services; space utilization and allocation, including negotiating office lease; processing of incoming and outgoing mail; and all communication systems
• Liaises with Japanese and US government officials relating to the budget, financial, and other administrative matters
• When the Executive Director is not present, the Administrative Director acts as the head representative and authority of the Secretariat

Read More

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Job Title: Temporary Development Coordinator
Posted by: Brookings Institution
Location: Washington, DC
Contract: Full-Time

A unique opening from former JETAANY President Yvonne Thurman-Dogruer who is the Director of Administration for the Brookings Institute in DC.

I am currently searching for a temp development coordinator at the Global Economy and Development program at Brookings in Washington DC.  If interested, please email me by Thursday September 27!

Development Coordinator (temporary)

This will be a three-month appointment, starting in early October, with an option to renew or go to perm.

Education/Experience Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree required. Minimum three years coordination and administrative experience required, preferably in a fundraising function within an international, non-profit organization. Familiarity with research-oriented work environments preferred. Interest in international economics, international development policy, and poverty issues also preferred.

Knowledge/Skills Requirements:

Excellent interpersonal, organizational, administrative, and communication skills, required. Strong writing capabilities, including exceptional grammar, spelling, proofreading, and editing skills. Must be able to coordinate a variety of tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, meet deadlines, and consistently follow-up on details. Must be highly attentive to detail, discreet, and dependable. Proficiency in Microsoft (MS) Office Suite, including database and spreadsheet skills in MS Excel, required. Must be able to exercise good judgment, take initiative, function independently, and work in close cooperation with others. Knowledge of or prior experience with with Raiser’s Edge preferred. Must be currently authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Contact:

Yvonne Thurman-Doğruer
Director of Administration
Global Economy and Development
Email: ydogruer@brookings.edu
Website: www.brookings.edu

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Job Title: Sales Support Administrator
Posted by: InsideAsia Tours
Location: Boulder, CO, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Attached is a job received directly from the company.

Our Values

In everything we do at InsideAsia Tours we aim to act in line with the company’s five core values: Trustworthy, Knowledgeable, Ethical, High Quality, Friendly. These are at the heart of the organization, and the company looks for every individual to demonstrate these values on a daily basis.

Leadership & Professionalism

InsideAsia Tours encourages everyone to take personal responsibility for leadership within the organization. Each member of the team is expected to exemplify the company values through their work and professional conduct. We expect everyone to set an example to those around them and to be conscious that they are representing the company when working with customers and partner organizations.

Job Purpose

To facilitate the booking of our customized travel packages and the subsequent creation of detailed documents for these.

Relationships

You will work within a team of Sales Support Administrators led by the Office Manager. You will work closely with Travel Consultants in the US office and the operations teams in our Nagoya branch. Collaboration with Product, Marketing and Small Group Tours administration teams will also be required, along with occasionally providing assistance to the Office Administrator with the Japan Rail Pass shop. Read More

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Job Title: Administrative Assistant, Defense Section
Posted by: Embassy of Japan
Location: Washington, DC
Contract: Full-Time

The Embassy of Japan is seeking a highly motivated, team-oriented individual for the position of Administrative Assistant in its Defense section. This individual is primarily responsible for managing the schedules and activities of diplomats in the Defense Section.

For more details regarding job responsibilities, pay and benefits, see the full listing here:http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/english/html/job-defense-assistant.html.

Please e-mail your resume and cover letter to defense@ws.mofa.go.jp by October 3rd, 2018.

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Job Title: Program Officer, Edmund S. Muskie Internship and TEACH USA Programs
Posted by: Cultural Vistas
Location: Washington, DC
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to a JET alum for passing along the following job opportunity:

Cultural Vistas is seeking a Program Officer to help implement and support the Edmund S. Muskie Internship Program and TEACH USA Programs, including organizing the selection of Fulbright participants, managing graduate intern placement processes, and developing orientation and debriefing sessions.

The Program Officer will also implement other inbound placements and Exchange Visitor and Grant Programs. Successful candidates include those that have prior experiences in government exchange programs and/or placement programs.

Candidates should apply directly through the link below.

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Job Title: Application Processing Staff Members
Posted by: JET Program Office
Location: Washington, DC
Contract: Full-Time Temporary

The JET Program Office at the Embassy of Japan is seeking application processing staff members for its fall 2018 processing season. Processing staff will have the opportunity to learn more about the JET Program from the inside, meet JET alumni, and become more involved with the JETAA and U.S.-Japan communities in D.C.

This is a temporary position from mid-October to late December 2018. Please find more information about the position below:

Responsibilities

• Checking online application materials for completeness
• Working with other processors to confirm completeness of application materials
• Preparation of application materials for review
• Organizing, scanning and data entry for piece mail documents

Position Details

• Staff will work in the JET Program Office at the Embassy of Japan
  • 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
• Working hours are Monday-Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Full-time staff are desirable but working hours are flexible within these times
• Orientation and beginning of the contract period will be mid-October
• Salary will be $15.00/hr
• As this is a temporary position, health insurance and benefits are not offered

Read More

Emily Frank (Hokkaido, 1993-1996) is a professional career counselor and coach who has worked with and helped JET alumni all over the world. Her website is www.DenverCareerCatalyst.com.

JETwit: Hi Emily. So, we know you’re a JET alum and a career counselor. What do other alumni most need to know about finding a job after JET?
Emily Frank: First of all, people have more potential than they probably know. For instance, I started my career when I got fired.

JW: Really? Tell us more! And how does this tie in with your JET experience?
EF: Absolutely! Right after JET, I found a job translating documents on rubber patent infringement, but just I couldn’t have been unhappier. I hated the work and the people, and then, to add insult to injury, the jerks fired me! It took me a while to figure out what I wanted, so now it’s my mission to help people not make those same mistakes. I help creative professionals and international workers returning home figure out how to find careers they love so they can flourish, both personally and financially.

As for how I got connected with JET, I have always loved Japan, so after I finished my East Asian Studies major, JET was the obvious choice. I spent three fabulous years living in a small Hokkaido town and mostly I learned I didn’t want to teach. When I got back to the US, I had no idea what to do or who could help me. I tried translation and working for a travel agency, but I didn’t care for those. So now I help people navigate those decisions.

JW: Who do you help, and what does that look like?
EF: I help people with experience living and working overseas, including lots of JET alumni, and people who are quirky and creative. International and artistic people often get stuck and confused when looking for work after they return to the US, or when they’re trying to change careers. They often don’t know what their options are, let alone how to move forward. This is very frustrating and scary. Who will pay the bills? How do I find something I enjoy? How do I apply if I can even find something? People keep telling me I have transferable skills, but what are they and how do I put them on a resume? How can I find something that fits me?

These are exactly the questions we answer in sessions. I take people through guided conversations about values, needs, skills, and goals. We identify things like work values, and then a few job titles the client would like to have. Only after we’ve done that do we work through the nitty-gritty stuff like resumes, cover letters, and interviews.

JW: Explain more about transferable skills. What does that mean and how can people emphasize them?
EF: Sure. Transferrable skills are abilities that you gain in one place that you can easily use in multiple places. They may not even be things you see as skills because they’re so much a part of what you do. For example, by learning to adapt to daily life in another country, JET alums have demonstrated skills in things like cross-cultural communications and creative problem-solving. But since these were things we just did routinely, they don’t really come up as unique talents when we’re writing our resumes. I help people quantify these skills

JW: How have you helped JET alumni?
EF: I am uniquely suited to work with this particular population because I am also part of this population! I get it. I know all about reverse culture shock and having to move back in with the parents and having friends get tired of your stories about Japan. I’ve been where you are, and I can help you make decisions that will make you happy. In fact, some alumni I’ve worked with have even gotten jobs in Japan!

JW: What’s your background, and how are you qualified to do this work?
EF: After I got fired from that translation job, I eventually found my way to grad school, where I got my M.A. in counseling. After that, I worked in higher ed as a career counselor and coach for over 10 years. In January, I moved into private practice so that I can devote more of my time to my ideal clients. In the past year, I’ve been working a lot with JET alumni, helping them define

JW: How do you locate JET alumni to work with?
EF: I have fabulous JETAA allies! With the help of people like JETAA Rocky Mountain president Adam Lisbon and JETAA USA’s Bahia Simons-Lane, I’ve gotten grants through CLAIR and Sasakawa USA, so a lot of the work I’ve done has been free to participants. I’ve also worked with other chapters to provide services to their alumni. I did a webinar for the Northern California chapter. I also went to Florida (through another Sasakawa USA grant) for their first ever career development workshop, where I presented on a number of career topics. And I gave another webinar for JETAA USA on life after JET, and am slated to be on a panel for another in October.

JW: What are the common mistakes people make when they’re looking for work?
EF: There are a few that I’ve noticed over the years. The biggest one is that people don’t spend time really getting to understand what they want. They focus too much on skills and previous experience, which locks them into jobs that are probably not fulfilling. And when a job starts off not being fulfilling, things only get worse! I don’t want people to get stuck doing things they hate doing. The other mistakes I see are people not using their existing contacts or making new ones, not tailoring the documents for the positions, and feeling like insta-applying to 50 jobs a day is the way to get things done.

JW: What should people do instead?
EF: I’m so glad you asked! I advise people to spend time figuring out what they like to do, even if this means taking a “gap job” in something like retail or food service. There are values quizzes available online, and most career counselors have their own versions, as well. (I do!) Once your values are clear, think about what you’ve enjoyed doing before, including hobbies. From there, the next step is to figure out who pays people to do those things. After that, tailor your resume and cover letter so they reflect the skills of the jobs you want, and then submit!

JW: You make it sound simple but that’s actually pretty hard to do.
EF: It is. I try to simplify it so that people understand what the steps are, but the reality is that this is a lot of work. I encourage people who are really struggling with this to reach out and get help. It’s a source of unending frustration to me that this stuff isn’t something we learn in high school, but since it isn’t, most of us have to spend some time and money figuring it out as adults.

JW: Well since you mention it, how do you recommend JET alumni go about this process?
EF: I’m glad you asked that, too! First of all, get involved with your region’s JETAA. As I mentioned, a couple of chapters have already found ways to fund some career development work, and yours may have something planned. Second, follow those chapters on social media, or subscribe to their newsletters. We’re hoping to get another round of grants (mostly these grants follow Japan’s fiscal year, so pay attention in April!), too, and that info will get posted by the various chapters. Finally, if you want to work with me privately and right dang now, reach out to me at Emily@DenverCareerCatalyst.com. Tell me you’re a JET alum or that you read about me on JETwit and I’ll give you a special discount!

If you’ve benefited from Emily’s career counseling service, we’d love to hear from you! Please feel free to share your experiences to jetwit@jetwit.com