In September this year, JET alumni and chapter committees supported JLGC London to organise an online Careers Fair for JET Returnees together with the Embassy of Japan in the UK. The online Careers Fair took place on the 29 September, 11 am – 4.30 pm using the online event platform Hopin, with greetings from His Excellency Ambassador of Japan Hajime Hayashi and JLGC Director-General Suzuki
There were panel discussions with JET alumni well established in a variety of careers on using the JET experience to find work, with an additional session on international and public sector job options after time in Japan, as well as a variety of breakout sessions. The whole event was presided over by Rob Gorton our JET Alumni Association UK Chairman.
All JET alumni invited who attended were interested either as a job seeker, regardless of when they came back from Japan, or as a mentor to share their work experience and expertise. Any company wanting to set up a free virtual booth to recruit talented JET alumni was also welcome.
Participants registered for the event can still connect and network with JET returnees, speakers and exhibitors using the dedicated LinkedIn page which can be accessed HERE
The panels’ discussions and breakout sessions were recorded and will be uploaded to the JETAA UK website HERE (last year’s event is currently available with speaker details below the videos, and a JETAA UK online membership is needed to view videos – sign up to the website mailing list to get notification about when this year’s videos are available).
The event provided the opportunity for former JETs to receive advice and insight on the post-JET experience and job opportunities around the UK, as well as network with professionals from a wide range of industries. It is always a well-attended event, with the majority of the attendees being newly returned JETs who are seeking employment or further education.
This year’s attendees numbered some 179, with up to 133 people watching the main stage at one point. 21 companies and organisations attending, either hiring or providing information about Japanese culture or links, plus funding opportunities for postgraduate study were also in attendance.
The JET Programme was started in 1987 to increase mutual understanding between the people of Japan and the people of other nations. It aims to promote internationalisation in Japan’s local communities by helping to improve foreign language education and developing international exchange at the community level.
Over the past 35 years, it has seen significant growth, from its original 848 participants from four countries in 1987 to 5,761 participants from 57 countries at present. There are currently approximately 1,000 local government organisations, including 45 prefectures and 18 designated cities that host JET participants, including 560 UK participants currently working in Japan, the second-largest cohort by numbers after the USA.
Many thanks from JLGC London to all those alumni and chapter members who supported us on the day, we would not be able to hold the event without you.
Interested organisations and individuals who would like to know about future events, can email JLGC alumni support staff at jetaa@jlgc.org.uk.
