So, I know I go on and on and on and on and on about references, but I finally have a nice thing to say about them. You know that you have picked a good person to be your reference, when they ask you about your deadlines, ask about getting a copy of your resume, ask about the requirements, and ask to meet you in person to make sure the formatting is all right. One of my references this year is going to be a professor that I absolutely loved having. He taught my adolescent literacy class for my education minor and he does a lot of work with improving literacy education in the northeastern US. Basically, he is awesome. He is really nice, really smart, and a really good teacher. And he thinks I am a decent fit for the JET Program and is more than happy to help me out by writing a reference letter for me! I am super excited XD
In other news, there are more people on the forums almost every day ^_^ And the Miami coordinator is back and helping us with good advice and we have the LA coordinator this year too! It's great to see that there are so many people willing to take time to help us applicants out, even this early on.
Showing posts with label Forums. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Forums. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Good News About TEFL/TESL and JET
So, I know a lot of people want to beef up their JET application in any way they can and a lot of people think TEFL or TESL certification is a good way to go. The sad news is that it really isn't. If your application is borderline between an interview and not, it could push you over into getting an interview, but it isn't worth a ton of points in the grand scheme of things. So, don't get a TEFL/TESL certification, unless you think it will help you later on in life or you are legitimately interested in the program that you are about to poor tons of money into.
by ZacharyFukuiPA » Wed Jun 20, 2012 10:04 pm
However, I have good news! It is disheartening, when you really want to get your TEFL/TESL cert and everyone tells you how useless it is and how JET doesn't actually care about it and how you'll never actually be teaching, so it really doesn't matter. I know. I really wanted my cert, so I'm getting it anyway because I think it will help me in the future. And then someone was asking about a TEFL Advantage on the forums. The usual slew of depressing statements about how it won't matter and don't waste your money ensued, but a bright light of hope appeared. This is what was said, so take heart and know that though TEFL/TESL won't definitely get you an interview, it is something that some places in Japan do want and look for.
Re: TEFL Advantage?
by ZacharyFukuiPA » Wed Jun 20, 2012 10:04 pmWednesday, June 20, 2012
Is It So Hard to Be Nice?
So, I love the interwebz because the interwebz are horrible and wonderful at the same time. People are the internet are frequently creepy or mean. I think that a lot of this is because, in real life, we are expected to be polite and whatnot, but on the internet, we have no fear of retaliation. Honestly, I see no reason to take it that far. I am the first person to admit that I can be a bitch, but I try to keep my mean and sarcastic side to myself, unless I'm dealing with friends who can take it and know that I probably don't mean it. On the internet, people act like it is their God-given right to be ass holes. Obviously the nice person, the honest person, or the people who lack tough skin are the ones to blame, if they get offended. You should be a jerk or grow a pair or get off the internet. Not true. There is nothing wrong with being nice. There is nothing wrong with asking a seemingly dumb question. For JET forums, I don't know that there is anything wrong with asking a question that there might be an answer to 56 pages of threads ago.
Yeah, I like honesty. In fact, I hate lies, even kind ones. I would rather you be brutally honest. But, brutally honest and douche-y are different. There is no need to mock people or cut them down; tell them that they can find it, how to find it, where to find it, or just suggest searching on their own first, but don't just insult them. I think that, on the internet, it is especially important to be less of an ass because online you can't hear sarcasm. There is no sarcastic grammatical device that makes it seem less harsh. Plus, there are just a lot of assbutts (thank you, Cas) out there.
So, to the decent people, just keep being nice and ignore the people who have to be mean. If mean people want to hang out with mean people, that's great; I love being a jerk to my friends too, but not to new people and people that don't know me. I shall continue trying to be nice and helpful in response to all questions and maybe spread some friendliness ^_^
Also, if you don't act like a tool, you have far less of a chance of future employers finding your profile somewhere and going, "WOW!!! That guy's a prick, we don't want to hire him!" So, keep it nicer and you'll probably save yourself a lot of trouble, while still helping people.
/End rant :P
Yeah, I like honesty. In fact, I hate lies, even kind ones. I would rather you be brutally honest. But, brutally honest and douche-y are different. There is no need to mock people or cut them down; tell them that they can find it, how to find it, where to find it, or just suggest searching on their own first, but don't just insult them. I think that, on the internet, it is especially important to be less of an ass because online you can't hear sarcasm. There is no sarcastic grammatical device that makes it seem less harsh. Plus, there are just a lot of assbutts (thank you, Cas) out there.
So, to the decent people, just keep being nice and ignore the people who have to be mean. If mean people want to hang out with mean people, that's great; I love being a jerk to my friends too, but not to new people and people that don't know me. I shall continue trying to be nice and helpful in response to all questions and maybe spread some friendliness ^_^
Also, if you don't act like a tool, you have far less of a chance of future employers finding your profile somewhere and going, "WOW!!! That guy's a prick, we don't want to hire him!" So, keep it nicer and you'll probably save yourself a lot of trouble, while still helping people.
/End rant :P
Friday, June 8, 2012
Don't Be Afraid to Have an Extra Page
So, as I wait and wait and wait, I am still occasionally reading old questions on the JET forums. This is a great little suggestion that I did not make use of last year because I had failed to really think through all my information.
On the JET application, there is limited space, which can prove difficult if you have lots of things to say. For every section of the application, you can have an extra page, if you need it. So, in my case, as I've thought about stuff for my next app, I've realized that I technically do a lot of self-study on Japanese topics. But, on the application, there is only room for a couple of topics of self-study; I am planning to list self-study of Japanese language, Japanese literature/Tale of Genji, medieval garb, bento, and a few other things. I didn't even think of these things last year because I count them as hobbies, which was stupid of me. Looking at last years app, I can't fit everything on, so I shall need to attach an extra page. Here is what you need to know for adding extra papers and whatnot to your app:
1) If you add something, format it the same as the section you are adding to. If you are unsure of the formatting, do a print preview to see what it looks like after you print to submit.
2) Make sure you add it to every copy of your application. All three applications need to look exactly the same.
3) Don't be afraid to add. If you are unsure of something's value, add it anyway. The worst that can happen is that the reviewer ignores it; they will probably never count it against you.
There are other things you can add to your app, as well. the Miami Coordinator talks about sticky notes for clarification a lot and I think that is a really good idea. Maybe I'll talk about sticky notes some other time.
Anyways, you want to include all things that seem important. Things like teaching experiences, intercultural/international experience, learning about Japanese culture, all those are things you want to include everything possible. I have a bunch of teaching classes from college and I definitely want all of them in my application, never pick and choose with things like that. Make sure that you use those extra pages to your best advantage.
On the JET application, there is limited space, which can prove difficult if you have lots of things to say. For every section of the application, you can have an extra page, if you need it. So, in my case, as I've thought about stuff for my next app, I've realized that I technically do a lot of self-study on Japanese topics. But, on the application, there is only room for a couple of topics of self-study; I am planning to list self-study of Japanese language, Japanese literature/Tale of Genji, medieval garb, bento, and a few other things. I didn't even think of these things last year because I count them as hobbies, which was stupid of me. Looking at last years app, I can't fit everything on, so I shall need to attach an extra page. Here is what you need to know for adding extra papers and whatnot to your app:
1) If you add something, format it the same as the section you are adding to. If you are unsure of the formatting, do a print preview to see what it looks like after you print to submit.
2) Make sure you add it to every copy of your application. All three applications need to look exactly the same.
3) Don't be afraid to add. If you are unsure of something's value, add it anyway. The worst that can happen is that the reviewer ignores it; they will probably never count it against you.
There are other things you can add to your app, as well. the Miami Coordinator talks about sticky notes for clarification a lot and I think that is a really good idea. Maybe I'll talk about sticky notes some other time.
Anyways, you want to include all things that seem important. Things like teaching experiences, intercultural/international experience, learning about Japanese culture, all those are things you want to include everything possible. I have a bunch of teaching classes from college and I definitely want all of them in my application, never pick and choose with things like that. Make sure that you use those extra pages to your best advantage.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
New Friends
So, I'm really excited. Last year, I felt really impressed by merkypie, the person who started the Aspiring US JETs 2012 thread. I felt like she was on top of it and that the thread gave us all a place to hang out, stress out, and get everything out there. After not getting an interview, I simply posted that I didn't get an interview and quietly left because it was sad to see everything that I was no longer a part of. However, I've previously mentioned that once my friend Staci got her results as an alternate (now upgraded!!!), I was ready to get back on the boards, no matter how early it was.
Obviously, I was a bit over-zealous. I knew that, most likely, no one else would be on the boards, already preparing for the next application. But, I also knew that I wanted to start the Aspiring US JETs 2013 thread. I wanted somewhere for all the new JETs to give us a little advice as they finish waiting out their time as "aspiring JETs" and somewhere anyone as eager as myself could post. For the first few weeks, it was depressingly slow, but a bunch of the new JETs posted some advice and were pretty cool. I think that as more people get on the forums for the coming application, they can already find some useful info at the beginning of the thread and a place to get excited in ^_^
Now, there are a couple other people posting with me! I'm really excited about it. Apparently some of you readers are those very same posters ^_^ But, what I'm most excited about is that, after the time I've spent reading some old threads and compiling info from there and my own experiences, I feel like I am helping people feel confident. I know I'm not some great sage or anything, but I feel like between here and my thread, I might actually be useful and that's best of all. I'm hoping that, since we have so long together, we can become good friends and we can make this our year! For now, I'll be happy that I've managed to be helpful to a couple people and be even happier that I have some friends now!
(Sorry, I know this post was rather useless... But I'd love for anyone reading this, that plans to apply, come chat in the thread. And maybe someone wants to post a comment and say hi!)
Obviously, I was a bit over-zealous. I knew that, most likely, no one else would be on the boards, already preparing for the next application. But, I also knew that I wanted to start the Aspiring US JETs 2013 thread. I wanted somewhere for all the new JETs to give us a little advice as they finish waiting out their time as "aspiring JETs" and somewhere anyone as eager as myself could post. For the first few weeks, it was depressingly slow, but a bunch of the new JETs posted some advice and were pretty cool. I think that as more people get on the forums for the coming application, they can already find some useful info at the beginning of the thread and a place to get excited in ^_^
Now, there are a couple other people posting with me! I'm really excited about it. Apparently some of you readers are those very same posters ^_^ But, what I'm most excited about is that, after the time I've spent reading some old threads and compiling info from there and my own experiences, I feel like I am helping people feel confident. I know I'm not some great sage or anything, but I feel like between here and my thread, I might actually be useful and that's best of all. I'm hoping that, since we have so long together, we can become good friends and we can make this our year! For now, I'll be happy that I've managed to be helpful to a couple people and be even happier that I have some friends now!
(Sorry, I know this post was rather useless... But I'd love for anyone reading this, that plans to apply, come chat in the thread. And maybe someone wants to post a comment and say hi!)
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Fascinating Placement
I try to say interesting things, but today I can't seem to think of much. However, I do read some other JET related blogs (other blogs besides that) and one of these JETs has posted something super interesting, so today, I'm just going to link you there.
First some background. Merkypie is awesome. She started the US JET 2012 thread and has done SOOOO much on the JET forums. She is brave enough to give out answers and be brutally honest when people are just not being the adults they ought to be. I really admire her presence on the forums and the personality I've seen here on the interwebz. Her blog is pretty helpful on a few things too. I think it's in my blogroll... She started a thread on the Aspiring JETs forum for new JETs to note their placements and whether it was a preference or not, etc. So she made a post talking about it and I'm going to link you here ^_^
2012 Placement Trends as Interpreted by Merkypie
I think this is especially interesting because it gives some insight into how your placement request works or how it may impact where you end up. Don't assume you request something and will get it. But, do request something if you are interested. I think that it's really worth looking into and thinking about where you want to go. You may just want Hokkaido (like me ^^) because it is similar to where you come from or because it is your sister region (Hokkaido is the sister state/region for Massachusetts). You may be more specific; I didn't request Kyoto-shi last year because I know how impossible it is to get in there. This year, I will list it as one of my preferences because as I've done more research I found out it is the sister city to my beloved Boston and since it was my favorite place when I went to Japan, I really want to spend more time there and experience that fascinating mix of history and modernity that I feel Boston and Kyoto both have. But, put in the work and figure out what you really want to do. And don't be concerned when you don't get it. It's Japan! It's all wicked awesome ^_^
First some background. Merkypie is awesome. She started the US JET 2012 thread and has done SOOOO much on the JET forums. She is brave enough to give out answers and be brutally honest when people are just not being the adults they ought to be. I really admire her presence on the forums and the personality I've seen here on the interwebz. Her blog is pretty helpful on a few things too. I think it's in my blogroll... She started a thread on the Aspiring JETs forum for new JETs to note their placements and whether it was a preference or not, etc. So she made a post talking about it and I'm going to link you here ^_^
2012 Placement Trends as Interpreted by Merkypie
I think this is especially interesting because it gives some insight into how your placement request works or how it may impact where you end up. Don't assume you request something and will get it. But, do request something if you are interested. I think that it's really worth looking into and thinking about where you want to go. You may just want Hokkaido (like me ^^) because it is similar to where you come from or because it is your sister region (Hokkaido is the sister state/region for Massachusetts). You may be more specific; I didn't request Kyoto-shi last year because I know how impossible it is to get in there. This year, I will list it as one of my preferences because as I've done more research I found out it is the sister city to my beloved Boston and since it was my favorite place when I went to Japan, I really want to spend more time there and experience that fascinating mix of history and modernity that I feel Boston and Kyoto both have. But, put in the work and figure out what you really want to do. And don't be concerned when you don't get it. It's Japan! It's all wicked awesome ^_^
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Exploring the 2012 Questions Thread
So, I really want to provide useful info for myself and anyone else applying, now or in the future. In doing this, and my own general interests, I hang out on the Aspiring JETs Forum a lot. Seriously, a lot. I'm probably online there more than anyone else, thankfully I don't post more than anyone else or people would want to shoot me. I've been going through threads that sound interesting and one caught my eye. I did not see this last year when I was applying, but for people (like me) that want to find any and all advice available, I wanted to link to this thread here because I think it is wicked useful.
2012 Questions Thread
That being said, there is a lot of info in here and it can be hard to find exactly what you want. You can still ask in a new thread or come to the US JETs 2013 thread I started. But, I enjoy reading all the stuff. I am compiling info from various threads that I can post later with advice on things that seemed particularly helpful as I read them ^_^
2012 Questions Thread
That being said, there is a lot of info in here and it can be hard to find exactly what you want. You can still ask in a new thread or come to the US JETs 2013 thread I started. But, I enjoy reading all the stuff. I am compiling info from various threads that I can post later with advice on things that seemed particularly helpful as I read them ^_^
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Things to Do in the Interim
Some smart suggestions from the Miami_Coordinator on the JET Forums (in that questions thread that I mentioned) included things that you can and maybe should be doing, if you are getting a head start. These are things that make you a better applicant, but are not 100% necessary. But, they are all good things to do ^_^
-study Japanese (it's cool, you know you want to)
-volunteer
-attend some cultural classes/events (specifically for Japan would be good)
-study for a TEFL/TESL certificate (especially good if teaching ELLs is something you are interested in)
-work with international students
-assist with kids clubs or classrooms
All good things ^_^ Just some advice for passing the time. I'm currently studying Japanese, interning at a high school, looking into a TESOL program (with a practicum which is awesome!), and built a Writing Center. If I can do it, anyone can do it ^^; I promise it's not SOOO hard... Eheheheh... Heh... It may be harder once I have a place to live and a job, but for now, it's working okay >.>
-study Japanese (it's cool, you know you want to)
-volunteer
-attend some cultural classes/events (specifically for Japan would be good)
-study for a TEFL/TESL certificate (especially good if teaching ELLs is something you are interested in)
-work with international students
-assist with kids clubs or classrooms
All good things ^_^ Just some advice for passing the time. I'm currently studying Japanese, interning at a high school, looking into a TESOL program (with a practicum which is awesome!), and built a Writing Center. If I can do it, anyone can do it ^^; I promise it's not SOOO hard... Eheheheh... Heh... It may be harder once I have a place to live and a job, but for now, it's working okay >.>
Monday, May 14, 2012
Patience is a Virtue I Do Not Have
Patience is a virtue... A virtue I do not have. I despite waiting; waiting probably despises me. We just don't get along. Last year, the waiting was killing me. So, as I meandered the internet impatiently (obviously as long as I stayed online, the application would come out sooner, the interview list would be posted faster... everything would speed up if I kept on pacing the internet and refreshing), I ended up joining the Aspiring JETs forum.
I advise that anyone and everyone join the boards. It is filled with other people stressing, great advice from other applicants and previous applicants, and just good people. This was a saving grace for me. It didn't stop me trolling the internet, it didn't lower the amount of times I would hit refresh, and it didn't really remove my anxiety. But, the forums gave me people with the same issues, great advice, and somewhere to make friends. Plus, chatting with everyone is fun ^_^
And that is it for this fairly short post. Join the forums! Come join in and chat in the thread for US JETs for 2013! Just come have fun ^_^
I advise that anyone and everyone join the boards. It is filled with other people stressing, great advice from other applicants and previous applicants, and just good people. This was a saving grace for me. It didn't stop me trolling the internet, it didn't lower the amount of times I would hit refresh, and it didn't really remove my anxiety. But, the forums gave me people with the same issues, great advice, and somewhere to make friends. Plus, chatting with everyone is fun ^_^
And that is it for this fairly short post. Join the forums! Come join in and chat in the thread for US JETs for 2013! Just come have fun ^_^
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