Kokoro Care Packages – Kickstarter Campaign
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Lillian Rowlatt (Niigata-ken, 2003-2005) is starting a Kickstarter campaign that many JET alums might be interested in!
JQ Magazine: Nippon in New York — New York Comic Con, ‘RWBY,’ ‘Spirited Away’
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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:
FUNimation
Oct. 4-7
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)!
Vijay Iyer © Barbara Rigon; Nathan Davis © Sylvia Milo; Scott Johnson © Patricia Nolan
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.
Courtesy of Foodcurated.com
Oct. 24-28
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.
Job: Coordinator of Global Student Services – St. John’s University (Queens, NY)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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.
Job: Project Manager – WHM Creative (Oakland, CA)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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:
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.
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. And, we think that process and profit should never get in the way of that.
At WHM, we believe in four things:
- Good People
- Hard Work
- Creative Genius
- Happy Clients
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
We’re looking for a curious, optimistic, and resourceful Project Manager with a team-player mentality that’s equal parts assertive and collaborative. Project Managers who succeed at WHM are driven to solve challenging problems and inspire their colleagues to produce their best work every day. They have an entrepreneurial spirit, owning projects end-to-end, with an eye for details, efficiency – and the bottom line. Our team of Project Managers are pure naturals when it comes to nurturing client relationships through standout service – and just the right amount of charm and fun. And they have an innate ability to identify potential risks and roadblocks, anticipate needs, and spot new opportunities.
WHAT YOU’LL BE WORKING ON
Working with an intimate cross-functional team of in-house and freelance creatives, strategists, and techies, you’ll be managing a range of projects for one of our largest technology clients (yes, that means you enjoy geeking out over complex and nerdy topics). Integrated campaigns, digital media, content creation, mar-tech implementation—it’s all up for grabs and it’s all in your wheelhouse.
As the link between WHM and our clients, you’ll be the owner of day-to-day client relationships and delivery of projects, driving the team to meet agreed upon timelines and budgets for the full project lifecycle.
More specifically, you’ll:
- Maintain all project documentation, including project briefs and estimates, technical documentation, status reports, client presentations, feedback, and approvals
- Author, assign, and manage creative tasks in Asana
- Create, update, and manage schedules
- Schedule meetings with stakeholders and capture/distribute action items to team
- Lead status meetings
- Track burn rates on active projects
- Partner with resource manager to match talent to client needs – and secure creative resources for projects through our internal planning tool
- Shepherd projects through the creative development process
Your arsenal of tools will include Asana, Box, Function Point, Microsoft Office, and Google Docs, Sheets, Slides and Drive. Knowledge of Marketo is also a plus.
Job: Senior Copywriter – WHM Creative (Oakland, CA)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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
Job: Staff Attorney and Supervising Attorney – Rutgers Law School (Newark/Camden, NJ, USA)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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.
—
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.
Job: Administrative Assistant, Public Affairs Section – Embassy of Japan (Washington, DC)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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:
- Help plan and organize receptions, cultural events, meetings, and seminars under the direction of diplomatic staff.
- Draft speeches, press releases, correspondence and newsletters related to Embassy activities.
- Handle the process of exchange program such as MEXT Scholarship and JET (the Japan Exchange and Teaching) program with JET coordinators.
- Conduct research related to public affairs such as cultural/social events and media outlets.
- Handle administrative duties such as making appointments, developing itineraries and transportation arrangements for diplomats, answering phone calls from the public.
- Other responsibilities as needed and appropriate, including but not limited to: leading tours of Embassy cultural assets, MCing at events, supporting receptions in the evenings, providing internal translations and transcribing recordings.
Job: Administrative Director, Japan-United States Educational Commission – Fulbright Japan (Tokyo, Japan)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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
Job: Temporary Development Coordinator – Brookings Institution (Washington, DC) (Applications Close today 9/27)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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
Job: Sales Support Administrator – InsideAsia Tours (Boulder, CO)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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
Job: Administrative Assistant – Embassy of Japan (Washington, DC)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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.
Job: Program Officer – Cultural Vistas (Washington, DC)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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.
Job: Application Processing Staff Members – JET Program Office (Washington, DC)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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
Using your JET Experience to find a Great Job
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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
Suzanne Kamata to reveal “The Truth about Writing Contests”
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Posted by Tom Baker
The Japan Writers Conference, a free annual event that invariably attracts at least a few JETs, will be held at Otaru University of Commerce on Oct. 13 and 14. One of the JETs giving presentations this year will be Suzanne Kamata, who will be giving two of the 36 presentations scheduled for the big weekend. One of them was described in a previous JETwit post. Here’s the official description of the other:
“The Truth about Writing Contests”
Short lecture with Q & A
I will describe various kinds of writing contests, the pros and cons of entering said contests, and give advice on how to improve an entrant’s chances of winning.
There are many contests for writers. Some may think that it’s not worth the time or the cost of the entrance fees. After all, many contests get hundreds of submissions, and judging is often somewhat subjective – every reader has different likes and dislikes. However, thanks to winning or placing in writing competitions, I have received plane tickets to Paris, Sydney, and Columbia, South Carolina (from my home in Japan). I’ve also been awarded cash, medals, trophies, and plaques and shiny prize stickers for my books, not to mention bragging rights and prestige. A contest win can also be an excuse for a burst of publicity. Contests may lead to recognition, getting an agent or publisher, and book sales. So how do you decide which contests to enter? How do you win? In this session I will share my expertise as a frequent contest entrant, sometime winner, and occasional judge.
Suzanne Kamata has won many awards for her writing including a grant from SCBWI for her forthcoming novel tentatively titled Indigo Girl (GemmaMedia 2018), a grant from the Sustainable Arts Foundation for her as-yet-unpublished mother/daughter travel memoir Squeaky Wheels, the Paris Book Festival Grand Prize for Gadget Girl: The Art of Being Invisible (GemmaMedia 2013), and an IPPY Silver Medal for her most recently published novel The Mermaids of Lake Michigan (Wyatt-Mackenzie Publishing 2017).
