Internship Opportunities
The Japan Society Internship Program offers individuals opportunities to increase their awareness of contemporary Japan and gain knowledge of its history and cultural heritage while simultaneously preparing for professional and academic careers.
Select, qualified interns are invited to contribute their talents and abilities to assist Japan Society’s programs in the arts, business, education and public affairs. Interns participate in the day-to-day activities of these programs, in addition to working on specific projects. While at the Japan Society, interns work alongside experts on Japan from diverse disciplines and enjoy the benefits of its many resources.
About Japan Society
Founded in 1907 in New York City, Japan Society is an internationally recognized non-profit, non-political organization that offers opportunities to experience Japanese culture; fosters sustained and open dialogue on issues important to the U. S., Japan, and greater Asia; and improves access to information on Japan. Japan Society provides information and innovative programs, including Gallery exhibitions, performing arts, lectures, film series, contemporary forums, educational outreach, Japanese language training, publications, and more.
Internship Positions Currently Available:
- Communications Intern
- Corporate Development Intern
- Corporate Program Intern
- Digital Media Intern
- Education Program Intern
- Film Intern
- Finance Intern
- Information Technology Intern
- Performing Arts Intern
Communications Intern
Japan Society's Communications Department seeks interns to assist with publicity and promotion for the winter season (Jan-Apr 2010).
Interns for Japan Society's Communications Department assist with marketing the Society as a whole and dozens of individual events from the Corporate, Education, Film, Gallery, Lectures, Performing Arts and Policy Programs. By joining Japan Society's Communications team, candidates will have an opportunity to gain a well-rounded understanding of nonprofit communications while developing valuable skills in all facets of publicity, promotion and advertising.
Responsibilities:
- Assist drafting publicity materials (press releases, pitches, photo tips), and outreach to press.
- Maintain press archives and create press clips.
- Attend events and provide assistance for press check-in.
- Maintain press database.
- Construct press kits.
- Research publicity, promotion and advertisement opportunities.
- Distribution of promotional materials.
- Administrative duties including data entry, filing, photocopying, etc.
Qualifications:
- Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word & Excel.
- Ability to self-start and follow through on lengthy projects.
- A consecutive 15-20 hours per week (including some evenings) commitment is preferred.
- Interest in Japanese culture and Japanese language skills are a plus.
This is an unpaid internship. Please e-mail a cover letter and a resume to Kuniko Shiobara, at kshiobara@japansociety.org. No phone calls please.
Corporate Development Intern
Development is seeking an enthusiastic intern interested in learning more about our Corporation Membership operation. This is an extremely rare opportunity for someone to work closely with staff on fundraising strategy and execution.
Responsibilities:
- Assist in creating Corporate Membership marketing materials.
- Assist with direct mail solicitations to obtain new and renew existing corporate members.
- Update donors’ information in the Society’s database.
- Conduct prospect research on corporations.
- Assist in preparing renewal and acknowledgement letters to corporate members.
- Create project reports for corporate sponsors.
- Assist with proposal writing.
- Work at various Corporate Program events (lectures, lunches, etc.) and Gallery exhibition opening events.
Qualifications:
- Applicants should be organized and detail-oriented, have strong writing and proofreading skills, and be proficient in Word and Excel.
- Familiarity with Raiser’s Edge a plus.
- Interest in Japan and Japanese Culture a plus.
- Flexible weekday schedule, 20 hours per week, minimum 3 month commitment.
Begins immediately. Please fax or e-mail cover letter and resume to jobs@japansociety.org, fax: (212) 715-1262. No phone calls please.
Corporate Program Intern
The Corporate Program seeks a part-time intern for our upcoming Fall 2009 season to assist with various programming tasks.
General Description of Position:
Work with Corporate Program staff on implementing public programs. The Corporate Program provides the international business and public policy community uncommon access to the people and issues that define U.S.-Japan relations in a global context. Senior executives, policymakers, academics, journalists and other opinion leaders participate in innovative conferences, lectures, seminars, exchanges, fellowships and long-term projects recognized as invaluable for helping Americans, Japanese and others from Asia and around the world meet the challenges of the 21st century.
The Corporate Program caters to the 300 Japanese and American companies that comprise the Japan Society’s corporate membership. Each year, more than 2,500 executives participate in the Society’s rich mix of programs featuring business leaders and financial policymakers from both sides of the Pacific.
Learning Opportunities:
- Learn firsthand about the people and issues that are of interest and relevance to the U.S.-Japan business community in New York
- Discover how non-profit organizations interact with corporate sponsors
- Gain experience in the back-office tasks of ongoing program development and execution
- Interact with senior business executives from global corporations
- Conduct research on companies, individuals and industry sectors as needed
- Learn database management
Duties & Tasks:
- Responsible for program registrations and payments
- Handle and replenish sponsor materials
- Become familiar with corporate member firms and the benefits of corporate membership
- Assist Corporate Program staff at public events, including reception and registration, event A/V tasks, setup and breakdown
- Assist with program research and outreach as needed
- Assist to create badges, guest lists, name plates, and other program materials
- Maintain and update corporate membership records in Raiser’s Edge as needed
- Organize files and materials on programs and speakers
Qualifications:
- Familiarity with Japanese language and customs
- Interest in and knowledge of international business
- Knowledge of word-processing; knowledge of Internet, email and databases
- Superior organizational skills, including ability to keep track of many details at once
- Ability to work with a variety of people and different projects
- Superior writing and oral skills
- Flexibility in hours
- Ability to be self-starter
Please email application, cover letter and resume to Jane Fenton, at jfenton@japansociety.org. No phone calls please.
Digital Media Intern
Japan Society Digital Media Program seeks a part-time intern for the spring of 2010 to assist with various tasks. Days would include Monday, Tuesday, and/or Wednesday.
Duties include:
- Web updating and content uploading.
- Help with Email Campaigns.
- Proofreading of copy and source code checking.
- Assistance with design elements.
- Assistance with video and podcast production.
Requirements:
- Art and/or design background.
- Copy editing skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Familiarity with HTML, other programming experience helpful.
- Familiarity with Premiere, After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe programs.
- Fluency in verbal and written English.
- Interest in Japanese culture and Japanese language skills are a plus.
- Available Monday-Wednesday. Days and hours are flexible.
This is an unpaid internship.
Please email a letter and resume to Peter Sebeckis at info@japansociety.org. Please place "Digital Media Internship" in the subject line. No phone calls please.
Education Program Intern
Japan Society Education Program seeks a part-time intern with a background in Education, East Asian Studies, and/or Arts Administration, with interest in curriculum development, child development and a desire to work directly with Pre-K-12th grade children.
Responsibilities:
Reporting to Education & Lecture Program Officer the intern will assist with various tasks including, but not limited to:
- General web maintenance (proofing web material resources, uploading materials);
- Assisting at family and student programs;
- Developing printed educational materials and;
- Day-to-day administrative/office support.
Requirements:
- Excellent writing and oral communication skills
- Copy editing skills
- Superior telephone etiquette
- Excellent attention to detail, strong organizational skills
- The ability to work independently
- Knowledge of MS Office, Excel are essential
- Knowledge of Photoshop and Raiser’s Edge are preferred
- A commitment of three days per week is necessary; availability on weekends is a must
- College students or recent graduates preferred
- Knowledge of Japan and Japanese language a plus
This is an unpaid internship.
Please email application, cover letter and resume to Suzanne de Vegh, at sdevegh@japansociety.org. No phone calls please.
Film Intern
Winter 2009 - 2010
Responsibilities may include:
- Daily administrative support, including sorting files and archiving,
- Research, promotion, maintenance of blogs and other social media outlets,
- Assisting with Shinto dvd sales,
- Assisting and ushering events.
Please see our website for details on this coming season, as well as past seasons. www.japansociety.org/film
Qualifications:
- Good communication skills
- Computer proficiency in Word and Excel required
- Ability to organize and work in fast-paced environment
- Familiarity with and interest in film
- Fluency in verbal and written English required
- Fluency in Japanese language a plus
- Knowledge of Asian cinema highly desirable
- Film editing skills a plus
- Minimum of 3 half-days per week with a 3 to 6 month commitment (evening and weekend hours occasionally required); exact schedule is negotiable
* Japan Society encourages school credits if available
* Complimentary tickets available to performances
* This is an unpaid internship
To Apply:
Please e-mail your resume and a letter of interest, indicating your anticipated available time commitment, to sjamier@japansociety.org
Finance Department Intern
Winter 2009 - 2010
The internship will provide an opportunity to assist in financial and administrative functions. The intern will also gain a general overview of the Japan Society’s programs and events.
Responsibilities may include:
- Assist Finance department with annual 1099 Tax forms preparation, including departmental filing system, and generating vendor letters and files.
- Preparing, organizing and maintaining files and reports
- Maintaining and updating databases
- Performing various administrative duties
- Assisting in various projects
- Good interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
- Proficiency in Word and Excel
- A quick learner who is detail-oriented and very organized will succeed best in this role.
Time Frame: Approximately 2 to 5 months (negotiable)
Days per week: 3 or more days per week, Monday – Friday, days and hours negotiable
Salary: This is an unpaid internship. *
*Japan Society encourages school credits if available.
*Occasional complimentary tickets available to performances.
To apply: email a letter of interest and resume to: jfenton@japansociety.org. Please use “Application for Finance Intern” in the subject line. No phone calls please.
Japan Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse workforce.
Information Technology Intern
Japan Society’s Information Technology Group seeks an intern to assist with various tasks beginning in January.
Duties include:
- Installing Windows XP.
- Troubleshooting Windows desktop applications.
- Troubleshooting printing problems.
- Patch management
- Assistance with video and podcast production.
Requirements:
- Computer Science or Information Technology major.
- Good interpersonal skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Interest in Japanese culture and Japanese language skills are a plus.
- Available Monday-Friday. Days and hours are flexible.
This is an unpaid internship.
Please email a letter and resume to Juan Montes at jmontes@japansociety.org. Please place "Information Technology Internship" in the subject line. No phone calls please.
Performing Arts Intern
The Performing Arts Program of Japan Society seeks a part-time/full-time intern for our upcoming Spring 2010 Season to assist with various administrative tasks.
Responsibilities include:
- Daily administrative support, including filing and copying
- Assistance with digital marketing and social marketing initiatives (Twitter, Facebook, video)
- Assist with marketing and promotion projects, including outreach development, mailings, and occasional distribution of materials
- Assist with front of house, ushering, and/or merchandise sales on performance nights (evening and weekend hours required)
- Upkeep of various archives including DVD library and press clippings
- Upkeep of mailing list (Raiser’s Edge- training will be given)
- Reporting on audience surveys (Excel)
- Reporting on box office sales (Excel)
- Assist with final reporting for fundraising and grants
- Translation of Japanese documents into English
This upcoming Spring 2010 Season, we will present dance, music and theater programs in the theme of Japan Transatlantic: Tokio-Berlin.
Please see our website for details on this coming season, as well as past seasons. www.japansociety.org/performingarts
Qualifications:
- Strong communication and writing skills, proofreading skill a plus
- Computer proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook required; familiarity with Raiser's Edge database a plus; experience with social marketing platforms a plus
- Ability to organize and work in fast-paced environment
- Familiarity with and interests in Performing Arts
- Fluency in verbal and written English required; fluency in verbal and written Japanese language a plus
- 20+ hours per week plus performances (evening and weekend hours occasionally required); exact schedule is somewhat flexible
- Minimum of 4-6 months commitment
* Japan Society encourages school credits if available
* Occasional complimentary tickets available to performances
* This is an unpaid internship
To Apply:
Please e-mail your resume and a letter detailing your qualifications and interests by December 1st to:
Dawn Eshelman
Program Officer
e-mail: deshelman@japansociety.org
FAX: 212-715-1262
We do not accept any phone inquiries regarding this announcement or the result of the selection process.
Applications will be accepted through August 10. After the initial screening, selected candidates will be contacted for interviews during late August. The internship begins in early September.