JetWit Blog Beat by Crystal Wong (Iwate-ken, 2002-04) is a recurring item featuring posts from the blogs of various JET alumni. Crystal is a formerEnglish-language writer for Kyodo News. She now works as a media planner in Chelsea and sorely misses all her favorite midtown ramen joints.
Hello, JET alumni! We trust you have all been having amazing summers. From the latest look at the blog rolls, it certainly looks that way. Let’s take a look:
Writer Kelly Luce (Kawasaki, 2002-2003) shares her latest adventures in writing from Fishtrap, a writing conference in Eastern Oregon.
Congratulations to Robert P. Weston (Nara-ken, 2002-04), the Toronto-based author of the rhyming children’s novel Zorgamazoo, who has just announced that Zorgamazoo has been selected as a contender in One Book One Brampton.
Check out JET alum Chen Reichert‘s cool new boto attack ukiyo-e designs here.
Having trouble with figuring out what to wear for those warm summer days and cool nights? Check out Janice Momoko Chow‘s (Saitama, 2005-2006) write-up of StyleCaster, a great new site and app for anyone who loves to shop.
Last but not least, congratulations once again to James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06) on his victory versus Neil Gaiman for the 2009 Newbery award. Read the full details here.
The latest from Way of the West, the official blog of Robert P. Weston (Nara-ken, 2002-04), the Toronto-based author of the rhyming children’s novel Zorgamazoo:
Good news, everyone: I’ve had an offer to publish Zorgamazoo in Germany!
Jacoby and Stuart wants to have the book out in Spring of 2010, and in hardcover, no less. Because of the challenging translation presented by Zorgamazoo, they’re currently on the search for a well-known, well-experienced translator.
Whoever they find, may I wish them the very best of luck! I don’t expect it’ll be easy.
(JetWit is still stuck on the question of how one would pronounce “Zorgamazoo” in German?)
Job: Translation of the Kurodahan Press’ Speculative Japan Series
Jobs, Translating/Interpreting, Writers 
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JetWit job poster Stephen Palanik (Fukushima Ken, 2004-08) learned of the following freelance translation opportunity through the Honyaku E <> J Mailing List and thought it might be of interest to former JETs. Stephen is a translator based in Hamamatsu city, Shizuoka Ken, and he periodically posts job listings and event information for JET alumni.
The contents of the second volume of the Kurodahan Press’ Speculative Japan series of anthologies has been finalized, and they are looking for good translators. If you would like to be considered for one of these stories, please contact either Mr. Edward Lipsett or Mr. Stephen Carter by e-mail.
See the list of available works for more information.
If you have never worked for the Kurodahan Press, you should probably take a look at their FAQ for prospective translators, because it is highly likely that you will be asked to demonstrate your ability as a translator and a writer before you are contracted to handle a story.
Event: “Behavioral Selling – Getting inside your Client’s Brain!” (Tokyo)
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JetWit job poster Stephen Palanik (Fukushima Ken, 2004-08) learned of the following career workshop being held by CareerCross, and thought it might be of interest to former JETs in the Tokyo area. Stephen is a translator based in Hamamatsu city, Shizuoka Ken, and he periodically posts job listings and event information for JET alumni.
Are you selling at your maximum potential? Do you wonder why you turn some prospects “on” and some “off”? How much more sales could you make if you could better understand your prospects/clients, their strengths & weaknesses and how they react?
People are different, and buy for different reasons. A salesperson that understands Behavioral Selling knows how to recognize behavioral styles, adapts accordingly, and closes more sales!
CareerCross is proud to offer Dr. David Sweet’s popular Half-Day interactive workshop “Behavioral Selling – Getting Inside Your Client’s Brain!” At this workshop, you will learn the styles to which you naturally sell well and which are costing you sales. By improving your understanding of buyer motivation and client needs, you will improve their trust in you leading to increased success.
International education: Houston Community College Has Global Appeal
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A significant number of JET alumni are working in, or interested in working in, the field of international education programs, also sometimes referred to as student services. With that in mind, here’s a good written and radio piece from NPR’s Weekend Edition titled “Houston Community College Has Global Appeal.” The piece delves into a trend of community colleges reaching out to international students and even setting up school outposts in foreign countries, partly as a way to recruit.
For any JET alumni interested in getting into the field of international education programs, it’s worth being aware that there may be some great opportunities available at the small college level.
Japanese Language Instructor (Arlington, VA)
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Via Global Language Translation, Inc.
* Position: Japanese Language Instructor
* Location: Arlington, VA
* Job Description: Provide basic, intermediate and advanced language instruction to U.S. government and other personnel. Assist with the evaluation of students and academic counseling. The position is full time (40 hours/week). August 17, 2009 through August 20, 2010.
* Required Experience:
- Native speaker of the target language.
- Educated in target language through secondary school.
- Fully knowledgeable of the target culture and current usage of the language.
- The ideal candidate will have at least three years experience teaching adults coupled with solid experience inlanguage education and methodology and adult education.
- Extensive experience preparing and presenting language platform instruction within a learning center environment is a definite plus.
* Education Experience: Degree in the language, teaching methodology or a related field; or comparable directly-related work experience.
U.S. Citizenship, Green Card or authorization to work in the U.S. required.
To Apply: Please submit your resume identifying language teaching skills and experience along with information regarding earliest availability to dmitchell[at]globalltinc[dot]com
Career Advisor at Temple University, Japan Campus
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Via Human Resources at Temple University:
Temple University, Japan Campus is now hiring a bilingual, innovative, and student-oriented Career Advisor.
Position: Career Advisor
Department: Career Development
Position type: Full-time staff
Report to: Manager, Career Development
Work hours: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday
Salary/Benefits:
Commensurate with experience.
Eleven days paid vacation in the first year, increasing to 20 days after 6 years of employment, plus 5 paid “personal days” each year. In addition, approximately 2 weeks university-wide break over Christmas/New Year. Japanese social insurance and pension, commuting allowance, and tuition benefits for Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) programs. Read More
Personal Assistant in the Home – Japanese-speaker preferred (Midtown, NYC)
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Via GLOCAP:
Successful finance executive seeks motivated and diligent person to work as a full-time Personal Assistant in the home for him and his wife. The candidate should be able to adapt to a constantly changing environment and love a challenge. The Executive and his wife are extremely busy and are looking for a Personal Assistant to help manage their time more efficiently. The ideal candidate will have experience as a Personal Assistant, be resourceful, thoughtful, and have a strong work ethic.
This is the couple’s first time having a dedicated Personal Assistant so they are not accustomed to having a senior level professional Personal Assistant in this role. They are embarking on the next phase of their lives and they are looking for someone who possesses a solid foundation of assistant skills to support them and the role will evolve as their lives do. Read More
Web Designer (Bellevue, WA)
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Via JETAA Pacific Northwest:
We are looking for an entry level or intermediate level web designer to work with a small software company that specializes in Japanese language software, internet applications and web development. This company is based in Bellevue, WA and would be a 6 month contract to permanent role. This position will report to the Technical Services Manager.
Position requirements include:
1) HTML/CSS skills
2) Illustrator / PhotoShop knowledge
3) Ability to document the projects
4) Basic knowledge about Internet and Web
5) Flash, JavaScript
6) Ability to communicate in Japanese
For more information please contact Erik Koch @ 206-384-0299 or erik[at]averro[dot]com.
Internship with the Mainichi Newspaper (NYC)
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Via JETAANY:
The Mainichi Newspaper, a Japanese national daily newspaper headquartered in Tokyo, seeks part-time interns in its New York office. This is an unpaid internship opportunity.
Main Tasks and Responsibilities:
- Research, transcribe interviews, make appointments, and assist in other editorial and clerical works.
- Have to be able to work for 2 to 3 days in a week.
- Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience:
- Must be fluent in English (native-speaker level).
- Have in-depth knowledge of American culture, society and politics.
- Be familiar with international affairs.
- Have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Must be energetic, creative, and self-motivated.
How to Apply:
Send a resume with a cover letter explaining why you are interested in Mainichi’s internship position to mainichi[dot]newyork[at]gmail.com by July 22, 2009. Selected candidates will be notified of interview dates.
About the Mainichi Newspaper:
The Mainichi Newspaper was founded in 1872 as the oldest national daily newspaper company in Japan. Mainichi is currently recognized in Japan as one of the leading national daily newspapers, and has garnered a reputation as a provider of unbiased reporting, poignant editorials and other information vital to modern society. Mainichi’s nationwide circulation is 4 million copies.
Its New York office mainly covers the United Nations, American politics and culture, Major League Baseball, and other major events happening mainly in the eastern United States and Canada.
Internship with Nippon TV (NYC)
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Via JETAANY:
Nippon TV (NTV), Japan’s oldest TV network has openings for enthusiastic news interns at New York News Bureau. The responsibility for the position is to assist our reporters in creating daily news stories, breaking news and longer feature stories to a Japanese audience.
The ideal candidate would be a fluent English speaker (Native/Business level) and conversational in Japanese, have great interests in news and be able to work long-term, more than 3 months. We don’t assist in any visa support.
Interested candidates should send their English and Japanese resume to contact[at]ntvic[dot]com.
Suzanne Kamata interview in The Telegraph (UK)
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Yesterday The Telegraph (UK) ran a nice interview with Suzanne Kamata (Tokushima-ken, 1988-90), who lives in Japan and is the editor of LiteraryMama as well as the author of books such as Losing Kei and Call Me Okaasan: Adventures in Multicultural Mothering (which recently won several prizes in the 2009 Indie Book Awards including the Grand Prize for non-fiction overall).
Read the interview here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/5833776/Raising-a-mixed-race-family-in-Japan-can-be-hard.html
For additional interviews and information about Suzanne:
- Interview with Suzanne by fellow JET alum Cristy Burne (Hyogo-ken, Kawanishi-shi, 1998-2000), author of the soon-to-be-released children’s book Takeshita Demons.
- Also, another JET alum writer, Liz Sheffield (Hokkaio-ken, Sapporo-shi, 1993-95), has an interview with Suzanne about the book on her blog motherlogue.wordpress.com.
- To learn more about Suzanne you can visit her website at http://www.suzannekamata.com or her blog at http://gaijinmama.wordpress.com (RSS feed here).
- Read an interview with Suzanne Kamata on children’s books and diversity by the blog Kabiliana.
- Go to the Authors/Books section of the JetWit Library to see a complete list of JET alum authors (at least to JetWit’s knowledge).
James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of The Order of Odd-Fish continues to redefine the standard job description for “author.” In his latest adventure, he gave a speech at the American Librarians Association where he forcibly took the Newbery Award from “Neil Gaiman.” And that’s not even the most shocking part.
After watching the video clips below, you may find yourself contemplating the young Japanese students James once taught. What has become of them and how have their lives been affected, or perhaps more appropriately, distorted? Perhaps a film-making member of the JET alum community could set out to produce a documentary on the subject.
Until then, watch and enjoy below. Or watch and read the post on James’ site: “I Win the Newberry”
Video 1: James announces his intention to strip Gaiman of his Newbery.
Video 2: Freya and Erin act out a scene from his novel The Order of Odd-Fish.
Video 3: Neil Gaiman and James fight for the Newbery.
Need a little more James Kennedy? Click here to see video of him reading at the JET Alumni Author Showcase.
A recent question from a fellow JET alum:
“Does anyone know a truly informative, enjoyable way to get a TESL/TEFL/ or CELTA certification? Does anyone have any personal experience they can share.”
If you can help, please post your response in the comment section below, or e-mail jetwit [at] jetwit [dot] com.
J-News Mini-Roundup: Dealing with Disasters in Japan
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J-News Mini-Roundup is a recurring feature written by Friend Of JET, Jon Hills, who maintains the blog for Hills Learning (www.hillslearning.com).
Hills Learning is a NY-based language learning services company offering customized and personal Japanese language learning options. Their main service is private one on one Japanese language lessons in the NYC area, where the student chooses where and when to have lessons. They’ve also recently expanded to include the Korean and Chinese languages.
Background: For most Americans, more specifically Americans who come from states not on the Pacific Coast, the most frightening part of living in Japan is an Earthquake. Most people when they travel to Japan experience earthquakes for the first time, and wonder just how fragile the land they’re standing on is. The biggest Earthquake I experienced was a 5+, and it shut down the subway for about 2 hours leaving 2-3 million commuters stranded.
Earthquakes and natural disasters are ubiquitous throughout Japanese media and movies. Dealing with disasters is part of their lives, in particular earthquakes, but also from today’s news articles other disasters as well. Each newspaper wrote about a different tragedy Japanese people are working to overcome.
Asahi “Mountain Expedition Leads to Disaster for 17 Climbers”
