Internship Opportunities
The Japan Society volunteer 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 volunteer 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 specific projects. While at the Japan Society, interns serve 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
Japan Society's Communications Department seeks interns to assist with publicity and promotion for Fall 2012 (September-December).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.
- Contribute to Japan Society's blog and social media sites.
- 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.
- 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.
Corporate & Lecture Program Intern
The Corporate Program and Lecture Program seek a part-time intern to assist with various programming tasks.General Description of Position:
Work with Corporate & Lecture 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.
Lecture Program examines vital issues and themes in modern Japanese art, culture and design. Programming is designed to inform and to provide a gateway through which Americans can appreciate the powerful global influence of Japan’s culture and its many trend-defining artisans. Our programs bring together experts and practitioners for provocative discussions on diverse topics including aesthetics, consumer culture and cuisine.
Learning Opportunities:
- Learn firsthand about the people, issues and cultural trends that are of interest and relevance to the U.S.-Japan business community and to Japan enthusiasts 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
- 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
- Familiarity with Japanese language and customs
- Interest in and knowledge of international business
- Interest in and knowledge of Japanese cultural trends
- 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
Days per week: 3 or more days per week. Days and hours are flexible.
Salary: This is an unpaid internship.
To apply: email a letter of interest and resume to: jobs@japansociety.org. Please use “Application for Corporate & Lecture Program Internship” as the subject of your email.
Digital Media Intern
Japan Society Digital Media Program seeks a part-time intern to assist with presenting, writing, and filming a web and podcast series. Days will vary depending on filming and recording schedule (one day per week in office required).Duties include:
- Assistance in writing copy for video content.
- Co-hosting video series around New York City.
- Assistance with video and podcast production including set-up and breakdown.
- Fluency (Native-level) in verbal and written Japanese.
- Copy editing skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Fluency in verbal and written English.
- Interest in promoting Japanese culture.
Please email a letter and resume to Asif Iqbal at: aiqbal@japansociety.org. Please place "Digital Media Internship" in the subject line. No phone calls please.
Finance Department Intern
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 team with annual audit preparation
- 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
- Some background or coursework in finance or accounting is preferred
Days per week: 2 or more days per week, from 10 am to 4:00 pm, 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: jobs@japansociety.org. Please use “Application for Finance Intern” in the subject line. No phone calls please.
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.
- 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.
Please email a letter and resume to Larry Kong at lkong@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 part-time and full-time volunteer interns for Fall 2012 – Winter 2013.Since 1953, Japan Society’s Performing Arts Program has presented well over 600 of the finest Japanese theater, dance and music events. In addition to its annual season of eight to ten full-evening programs, educational workshops, lectures and demonstrations, the Society has been a pioneer in presenting works that are products of collaborations between Japanese and American/international artists as well as introducing Japanese contemporary performing arts to American audiences through local performances and North American tours. Please see our website for details: www.japansociety.org/performingarts.
Responsibilities include:
- Assist with various preparations for upcoming and future performances/workshops
- Assist with devising and implementing outreach strategies for marketing and promotion efforts for upcoming performances/workshops
- Assist with front of house operations at performances/workshops
- Upkeep and maintenance of Performing Arts archives, database and files
- Daily administrative support, including filing, mailings and copying
- Translation support as needed
- Strong communication, writing skills, and proofreading skills
- Familiarity with and interest in Performing Arts
- Ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment
- Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook and experience with social marketing tools
- Fluency in verbal and written English required; fluency in verbal and written Japanese language a plus
Days per week: 3 or more days per week. Days and hours are flexible. Some evening hours are required when there are program.
Salary: This is an unpaid internship.
* Japan Society encourages school credits if available
To Apply: Please email a letter and resume to Lara Mones at lmones@japansociety.org by August 1, 2012. Please place "Performing Arts Internship" in the subject line. No phone calls please.
Translator for Japan Earthquake Relief Fund & US-Japan Innovators Network
The US-Japan Innovators Network, a project of Japan Society, is responsible for the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund grants. The Japan Earthquake Relief Fund was started as a result of the March 11 earthquake and tsunamis that devastated the Tohoku region of Japan.
General Description of Position:
Under the supervision of the US-Japan Innovators staff, the intern/volunteer will assist with the translation of key material needed for making grants from the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund and research on Japanese organizations. This includes, but not limited to, the translation of information on Japanese organizations, newspaper articles, correspondence, grant proposals and grant budgets. In some cases, a synopsis or executive summary may be needed rather than a full translation of a document.
This is an excellent opportunity to learn about grant-making from an internationally-recognized cultural organization with a distinguished history of more than 100 years. The intern/volunteer will also gain a general overview of Japan Society’s programs and events.
Duties:
- Helping to translate a range of materials, including grant proposals, correspondence, background information on organizations, newspaper articles, and other supporting material as needed;
- Assisting staff in writing blog entries (in English) for Japan Society website based on the work of Japan Earthquake Relief Fund grantees;
- Assisting with research, in Japanese, of potential grantees, particularly Japanese organizations.
- Must be able to read and write Japanese fluently
- Experience translating material from Japanese to English
- Knowledge of word-processing in both English and Japanese, the Internet, and email
- Superior organizational skills, including ability to keep track of many details at once
- Motivated self-starter
Time Frame: Looking for someone to start in September 2011 and commit to 4-6 months.
Days per week: 1 or 2 days per week. Days and hours are flexible.
Salary: This is an unpaid internship.
To apply: email a letter of interest and resume to: jobs@japansociety.org. Please use “Application for Japan Earthquake Relief Fund Internship/Volunteer” as the subject of your email.
Japan Society encourages students seeking school credits to apply.
Calendar of Events
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Conference/Symposium
Japan After 3.11 - Recovery & Healing
