Anime Fans in the Real World

rosie · November 19th, 2009, 16:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waldroon

Actually fuck, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that I doubt there are many people anywhere in the world who got a job because they mentioned their love of anime, cosplay, pera-pera dancing, video games and conventions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hive

besides the guys who got a job at Super Potato

Or, you know, MIT sociologists.

word · November 19th, 2009, 16:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosie

Or, you know, MIT sociologists.

I doubt that's true. In fact, he's a good example of what Waldroon is talking about. I'd be willing to bet that Professor Weeaboo got his job by NOT mentioning the fact that he's jerked off to Sailor Jupiter every night for the past 12 years. He probably sounded very intelligent, well-meaning, and cultured when he applied for the job. Once he had it, he was able to write plays featuring cardboard robots and dudes dressed as Japanese schoolgirls. Learn the lesson here.

rosie · November 19th, 2009, 16:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by word

I doubt that's true. In fact, he's a good example of what Waldroon is talking about. I'd be willing to bet that Professor Weeaboo got his job by NOT mentioning the fact that he's jerked off to Sailor Jupiter every night for the past 12 years. He probably sounded very intelligent, well-meaning, and cultured when he applied for the job. Once he had it, he was able to write plays featuring cardboard robots and dudes dressed as Japanese schoolgirls. Learn the lesson here.

Dude, okay, no. Look, I apologize for whatever whatever in advance, but: I took classes with this guy, spent time at this school, and participated in projects similar to the ones he runs. My degree is in a media studies field, which includes elements of cultural studies and anthropology related to what Condry does.

My point -- and I really do have a point here, and pretty much only one -- is that you CAN, in fact, get a job and make a life out of studying what you love, even if what you love happens to be Sailor Moon. Admittedly, there are not a gazillion jobs for cultural anthropologists out there -- that's true whether your field of interest is "global anime" or "highly respectable fieldwork among the disappearing tribes of the Amazon."

But, look -- the average JET is early-twenties, college graduate, and loves Japan. The only point I'm trying to make is that if any of you feel like you love Japanese popular culture enough to want to go to graduate school about it at some point, and BECOME A PROFESSIONAL WHO SPECIALIZES IN ANIME, COSPLAY, PERA-PERA DANCING, VIDEO GAMES AND CONVENTIONS, you should know that it is possible. Don't listen to people like Waldroon and word. They don't appear to actually know this subject.

Yes, of course you have to work hard to get there. But you don't actually have to spend all your time pretending you don't love the things you love.

Hell, maybe I'll go put together a list of graduate programs that might be appropriate for people with these interests. That would at least make me feel useful for five minutes.

(And, Word, you happen to be wrong about how Ian Condry got his job. I'm sure he'd laugh at being called Professor Weeaboo, and agree with you... but you know you're only calling names because you're jealous.)

Off the soapbox now. Goodnight, everyone.

Cataphract · November 19th, 2009, 17:17

whoa there

edit- also, its nice that your buddy got the job as weeaboologist and all that, but just 'working hard' probably isn't enough for the average anime fanatic to get a job working at MIT

a) the dude is probably pretty damn sharp and b) i'd imagine a good amount of luck allowed him to land the position that so many other people would want to have

word · November 19th, 2009, 17:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosie

I love Professor Weeaboo, and he told me I can get a job watching anime all day, too!

(And, Word, you know you're only calling names because you're jealous.)

Ah, I forgot I deleted that post. I was pretty honest when I discussed Professor Weeaboo back in the "Post your SoP here" thread...

Quote:

Originally Posted by word

Also, having said all that, I would love to have his job. Hanging out in Japanese clubs on the university's tab? Watching anime all day while getting the salary of an MIT professor? Shit, whose dick do you gotta suck to get that job?

However... this is one of those things that represents the exception rather than the rule. You said this yourself, when you mentioned the shortage of available jobs for Sailor Jupiter jerkers. There are people who will come here and defend those exceptions. Yes, there are people who have been accepted into JET by professing a fanatic love of all things anime. There are also morbidly obese people with multitudes of health problems, socially awkward weirdos, people with various mental illnesses, etc... However, those folks are all pretty rare. The vast majority of people who are accepted into the program write professional, goal-focused SoPs that don't delve deeply into the hideous depths of anime obsession.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosie

Don't listen to people like Waldroon and word. They don't appear to actually know this topic.

Good point. You shouldn't listen to people who have been through the JET application process (and been accepted). You should listen to a new poster who is not only competing against you for a position, but is also disagreeing with what almost every other poster in this thread has stated. For those of you who missed it, here's the essentials of the thread in review (minus the nasty bits from Waldroon and myself, since we clearly don't know what we're talking about):

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebecca09suzanne

I, personally, wouldn’t mention it...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hive

Can't you just suppress that stuff for the time being? There's no shame in enjoying those things, but for the SoP I think you want to appear as professional as possible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kalliea

If you had a deep love of baseball, would you consider putting it into your SoP? Probably not, unless it came directly back to your reason for applying or future career goals. Now, if you are applying because of your love of anime, then...please, just don't apply.

As Hive said, you are trying to appear professional.

Quote:

Originally Posted by patjs

It doesn't make for a very convincing argument as to why you bring more to the table than the two thousand other applicants who are anime nerds too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ten_of_spades

I wanted to do JET for no other reason than the fact my girlfriend moved back here after university. I didn't feel the need to share that in my SoP, however.

If they want someone to teach the kids about anime or Japan, they'll find a Japanese person to do it.

The point of JET isn't to teach Japanese kids about Japanese culture, especially not the most vapid aspects of it.

Think about it, if JET were an American program, what chance would someone who writes 'I've been interested in America ever since I watched 'Full House' as a child.." have?

Second, in addition to showing why you are a good choice to internationalize the kids, you have to show what you bring to the table that no one else does. I bet 80% of the apps mention anime. Significantly fewer mention guys like Yukichi Fukuzawa or Kowa Seki. Not mentioning anime is probably a great way to separate yourself from the pack.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ten_of_spades

Those are a lot easier to spin than 'I started liking Japan because of Sailor Moon".

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gusuke

Mentioning that in my SoP would have also been the kiss of death, and I feel anime would do the exact same thing to you, no matter how well you think you spin it!

SURELY you people who want to talk about anime in your SoP have something else that you can elaborate on?

...that's a lot more substantial and meaningful than talking about how you were introduced to Japan via Sailor Moon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alibo

I've steered clear of [anime]...

Quote:

Originally Posted by thewingedwitch

THEY DON'T CARE THAT YOU WATCHED KARATE KID [or anime] WHEN YOU WERE 4

I'm definitely focusing mine around what I can bring to JET, rather than why I want to go to Japan (other than a few brief mentions). Can't speak for what they want, but it seems much more professional and likely to impress.

Quote:

Originally Posted by violetessence

I don't think anime is necessarily the kiss of death, but I do think it's pretty hard to spin it positively, because it's not interesting or useful to JET. You don't have to lie or betray your true personality to strategically choose answers that would make a good impression on a job application.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meelynn

Talking about tea ceremony and talking about anime are one and the same. How about not name-dropping various Japanese things in your essay and making it strictly a cover letter kiddos?

Hmm. Seems like a pretty consistent message to me. I personally think you might just be trying to trick stupid applicants into confessing their yaoi obsession.

Waldroon · November 19th, 2009, 18:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosie

Dude, okay, no. Look, I apologize for whatever whatever in advance, but: I took classes with this guy, spent time at this school, and participated in projects similar to the ones he runs. My degree is in a media studies field, which includes elements of cultural studies and anthropology related to what Condry does.

My point -- and I really do have a point here, and pretty much only one -- is that you CAN, in fact, get a job and make a life out of studying what you love, even if what you love happens to be Sailor Moon. Admittedly, there are not a gazillion jobs for cultural anthropologists out there -- that's true whether your field of interest is "global anime" or "highly respectable fieldwork among the disappearing tribes of the Amazon."

But, look -- the average JET is early-twenties, college graduate, and loves Japan. The only point I'm trying to make is that if any of you feel like you love Japanese popular culture enough to want to go to graduate school about it at some point, and BECOME A PROFESSIONAL WHO SPECIALIZES IN ANIME, COSPLAY, PERA-PERA DANCING, VIDEO GAMES AND CONVENTIONS, you should know that it is possible. Don't listen to people like Waldroon and word. They don't appear to actually know this subject.

Yes, of course you have to work hard to get there. But you don't actually have to spend all your time pretending you don't love the things you love.

Hell, maybe I'll go put together a list of graduate programs that might be appropriate for people with these interests. That would at least make me feel useful for five minutes.

(And, Word, you happen to be wrong about how Ian Condry got his job. I'm sure he'd laugh at being called Professor Weeaboo, and agree with you... but you know you're only calling names because you're jealous.)

Off the soapbox now. Goodnight, everyone.

Nice soapbox.

Now, if you'll listen for a second:

I said I doubt many people in the world get jobs like this, I never said it was impossible to do so.

That being said, the main issue here is that the number of people doing jobs like his are very few. And for good reason, there simply is not much of a demand for weeaboo qualities in the job market. Not that anything you said disproved what word brought up, i.e. that he probably didn't blab on about how much he loves schoolgirl animes during his interview.

Which brings me to my next point: The people applying to JET by and large aren't MIT Professor material. Even if this guy can discuss these topics in a compelling and intellectual manner that grabs the readership, the essays I've seen written by weeaboos have generally been bad. They are bad because instead of focusing on what the JET program presumably wants to hear (i.e. how you're qualified, what you bring, why you won't freak out and go home, etc.) instead they have a lot of random tidbits about "I watched Sailor Moon as a kid and now I love Japan!".

There are very few things that are generally accepted as black marks on an application, and being wildly weeaboo during it is high on that list. Can anyone prove that they are black marks? No. But I can't think of any SOPs I've read that included numerous references to anime, manga, cosplay, etc. written by people who eventually got in. And even if there are some, and I'm certain there are, they would appear to be a distinct minority.

So when you advocate including these activities, you are probably screwing over JETs who, had they simply written a more normal essay, would have gotten in.

Oh wait, I get it now.

Carry on.

kalliea · November 19th, 2009, 18:27

Waldroon, I actually like this idea. We should make every person write about anime. If they can't do it professionally, they can get cut. Everyone else gets an interview.

Seriously - It isn't the topic that will hurt your chances, it is how/why you talk about it.

Gusuke · November 19th, 2009, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosie

Dude, okay, no. Look, I apologize for whatever whatever in advance, but: I took classes with this guy, spent time at this school, and participated in projects similar to the ones he runs. My degree is in a media studies field, which includes elements of cultural studies and anthropology related to what Condry does.

My point -- and I really do have a point here, and pretty much only one -- is that you CAN, in fact, get a job and make a life out of studying what you love, even if what you love happens to be Sailor Moon. Admittedly, there are not a gazillion jobs for cultural anthropologists out there -- that's true whether your field of interest is "global anime" or "highly respectable fieldwork among the disappearing tribes of the Amazon."

But, look -- the average JET is early-twenties, college graduate, and loves Japan. The only point I'm trying to make is that if any of you feel like you love Japanese popular culture enough to want to go to graduate school about it at some point, and BECOME A PROFESSIONAL WHO SPECIALIZES IN ANIME, COSPLAY, PERA-PERA DANCING, VIDEO GAMES AND CONVENTIONS, you should know that it is possible. Don't listen to people like Waldroon and word. They don't appear to actually know this subject.

Yes, of course you have to work hard to get there. But you don't actually have to spend all your time pretending you don't love the things you love.

Hell, maybe I'll go put together a list of graduate programs that might be appropriate for people with these interests. That would at least make me feel useful for five minutes.

(And, Word, you happen to be wrong about how Ian Condry got his job. I'm sure he'd laugh at being called Professor Weeaboo, and agree with you... but you know you're only calling names because you're jealous.)

Off the soapbox now. Goodnight, everyone.

Chill out man

para para hasn't been popular since 99, so I hope nobody mentions it in their SoP.

I'm with Word and Waldroon on this, they know the score. If there are people like us who all got in saying to not mention these things, that really does say something.

Miniver · November 19th, 2009, 18:51

tenderRondo · November 19th, 2009, 18:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miniver

I'd like to think most people would have the sense to know that anime is one of those things you probably don't want to bring up to anyone in a higher position than you, unless you know beforehand that they have a keen interest in it.

Keep your Dragonballs at home, and hide your power level.

How do you expect to ever become an animeologist if you dont talk about japanimation all the time?

Miniver · November 19th, 2009, 18:58

Absolute · November 19th, 2009, 19:00

The SoP is basically a cover letter for the job, so like any job app, you tailor your cover letter/CV/app to emphasise your skills that they are looking for.

So even if mentioning anime isn't the kiss of death, why would Japan bother bringing over someone who just studied it, when they could hire someone within their own country who works within the industry?

They want people to go and help teach English. You have to explain why you'd be able to do that better then the 10000 other people that apply and that you also won't run away until your contract is up.

tenderRondo · November 19th, 2009, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Absolute

So even if mentioning anime isn't the kiss of death, why would Japan bother bringing over someone who just studied it, when they could hire someone within their own country who works within the industry?

Becauase the Animeologists, and Japanimationagraphers from America can speak english. The only similarity would be the bad hygiene

princessmarisa · November 19th, 2009, 21:02

Quite surprised this debate is still going on! I am finding it easy that I thought to focus it all on my interest in teaching and my experience in teach assisting

first kinda rough blabby draft of the first part of the UK SOP
"set forth your reasons for wishing to participate on the JET Programme."

reads

Quote:

I believe that I possess the skills and personality to be a successful JET participant as an ALT. I have always prided myself on my ability and willingness to communicate with others from all backgrounds. I am often described as a “people-person” and throughout my academic life have always enjoyed helping others to achieve. This interest in helping to teach others started at Middle School where I was a designated ICT Helper, and has continued in many guises from running Science Clubs at the local library where I worked, to a full time voluntary placement in a Primary School as a Teaching Assistant. I am curently involved in the Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme where I act as a mentor and teaching assistant for a group of Upper School students with English as an additional language.
I have also studied Japanese as an individual interest since around 2004, mainly self taught, and would relish the opportunity to practise and improve my abilities. I initially found the idea of studying a very different writing system fascinating, and from my desire to learn more about the language have since developed an interest in aspects of Modern Japanese Culture such as popular music, tv-dramas, and some film. I visited Japan twice last year, and really enjoyed my time there, and am excited by the prospect of being able to work and live there for a year or longer. I want to attempt living abroad as I feel it will help my own personal development, and be extraordinary life experience. It also gives me a chance to represent my country and educate those interested about life in England.

ignore grammar and phrasing for now, would just like to know if I am on the right track here?

ScienceDivison · November 19th, 2009, 22:22

Please mention it. Talk about your wild anime fantasies. Go in-depth about how great you felt when you first beat the pokemon game (pick one) and how fast you did it; a second time around. While your still at home next year, I'll be downing sake in the land of the rising sun.

Just to stay a bit on topic, I personally collect Japanese art. Now some of the art is from animated films; I have spent thousands in-fact on such endeavors. But I would never dream of mentioning this in my SoP. Why? Because in the end, your applying for a professional job, not an otaku position at your nearest anime-manga book store. Unless you got some crazy Ph.D or aided in the production of such said anime, you can't be helping your chances. I would be willing to wager that those individuals that got into the program while being overweight / anime obsessed (indicated on SoP) had amazing references, a wealth of teaching history, and basically a near perfect individual other then that (note: not saying watching anime is bad, but professing your love in this situation appears to be a poor decision).

In the end, if you want to talk about how much you love anime, do it.

princessmarisa · November 20th, 2009, 00:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by kalliea

Write it as you sound. One long comma-less sentence. Then go back and break everything up in to short, concise, comma-less sentences/paragraphs. The feeling of you will still be there, but it will be professional and easy to read. Then make sure your ending and beginning are connected, and everything flows easily, and you're done.

And umm...I wouldn't include the slang. Just my opinion.

Lol i wasn't being serious about the slang, it was an attempt at a joke...

Tarquin · November 20th, 2009, 08:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosie

Dude, okay, no. Look, I apologize for whatever whatever in advance, but: I took classes with this guy, spent time at this school, and participated in projects similar to the ones he runs. My degree is in a media studies field, which includes elements of cultural studies and anthropology related to what Condry does.

My point -- and I really do have a point here, and pretty much only one -- is that you CAN, in fact, get a job and make a life out of studying what you love, even if what you love happens to be Sailor Moon. Admittedly, there are not a gazillion jobs for cultural anthropologists out there -- that's true whether your field of interest is "global anime" or "highly respectable fieldwork among the disappearing tribes of the Amazon."

But, look -- the average JET is early-twenties, college graduate, and loves Japan. The only point I'm trying to make is that if any of you feel like you love Japanese popular culture enough to want to go to graduate school about it at some point, and BECOME A PROFESSIONAL WHO SPECIALIZES IN ANIME, COSPLAY, PERA-PERA DANCING, VIDEO GAMES AND CONVENTIONS, you should know that it is possible. Don't listen to people like Waldroon and word. They don't appear to actually know this subject.

Yes, of course you have to work hard to get there. But you don't actually have to spend all your time pretending you don't love the things you love.

Hell, maybe I'll go put together a list of graduate programs that might be appropriate for people with these interests. That would at least make me feel useful for five minutes.

(And, Word, you happen to be wrong about how Ian Condry got his job. I'm sure he'd laugh at being called Professor Weeaboo, and agree with you... but you know you're only calling names because you're jealous.)

Off the soapbox now. Goodnight, everyone.

It's "Para-Para"

kalliea · November 20th, 2009, 09:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by princessmarisa

Lol i wasn't being serious about the slang, it was an attempt at a joke...

I was joking as well.

tenderRondo · November 20th, 2009, 13:49

Can Kall and Princess Marissa please keep the SOP talk in the SOP thread. If you do not stop I will notify the moderators and have you infracted for cluttering up this thread about japanimation.

princessmarisa · November 20th, 2009, 19:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenderRondo

Can Kall and Princess Marissa please keep the SOP talk in the SOP thread. If you do not stop I will notify the moderators and have you infracted for cluttering up this thread about japanimation.

It's Marisa with one S.
Also my super happy funtime thread about what is and what isn't the right path to go down regarding UK Personal Statements.
So neeerrrr tbh

Also major lols at the people who are replying without having read even half the posts along the way where I have come to realise what the P.S is and isn't for.

Oh and cba to quote but yay to whoever corrected the fools who keep saying pera-pera.

Unless it is some kind of double entrendre calling me talkative

November 19th, 2009, 17:17	#4 (permalink)
Cataphract Applying Forum Moderator Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2,464	whoa there edit- also, its nice that your buddy got the job as weeaboologist and all that, but just 'working hard' probably isn't enough for the average anime fanatic to get a job working at MIT a) the dude is probably pretty damn sharp and b) i'd imagine a good amount of luck allowed him to land the position that so many other people would want to have Last edited by Cataphract; November 19th, 2009 at 17:19.

November 19th, 2009, 18:27	#7 (permalink)
kalliea Yawn Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Middle or Wheat field USA --> Middle of Rice field Japan Posts: 7,845	Waldroon, I actually like this idea. We should make every person write about anime. If they can't do it professionally, they can get cut. Everyone else gets an interview. Seriously - It isn't the topic that will hurt your chances, it is how/why you talk about it. __________________ Numbers and colors are my bread and butter

November 19th, 2009, 18:51	#9 (permalink)
Miniver Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 43	Last edited by Miniver; November 30th, 2009 at 10:33.

November 19th, 2009, 18:58	#11 (permalink)
Miniver Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 43	Last edited by Miniver; November 30th, 2009 at 10:33.

November 19th, 2009, 22:22	#15 (permalink)
ScienceDivison Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: East Coast Posts: 315	Please mention it. Talk about your wild anime fantasies. Go in-depth about how great you felt when you first beat the pokemon game (pick one) and how fast you did it; a second time around. While your still at home next year, I'll be downing sake in the land of the rising sun. Just to stay a bit on topic, I personally collect Japanese art. Now some of the art is from animated films; I have spent thousands in-fact on such endeavors. But I would never dream of mentioning this in my SoP. Why? Because in the end, your applying for a professional job, not an otaku position at your nearest anime-manga book store. Unless you got some crazy Ph.D or aided in the production of such said anime, you can't be helping your chances. I would be willing to wager that those individuals that got into the program while being overweight / anime obsessed (indicated on SoP) had amazing references, a wealth of teaching history, and basically a near perfect individual other then that (note: not saying watching anime is bad, but professing your love in this situation appears to be a poor decision). In the end, if you want to talk about how much you love anime, do it. __________________ "Psychologically, you have to have confidence in yourself and this confidence should be based on fact."

November 19th, 2009, 19:00	#12 (permalink)
Absolute Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NZ Posts: 148	The SoP is basically a cover letter for the job, so like any job app, you tailor your cover letter/CV/app to emphasise your skills that they are looking for. So even if mentioning anime isn't the kiss of death, why would Japan bother bringing over someone who just studied it, when they could hire someone within their own country who works within the industry? They want people to go and help teach English. You have to explain why you'd be able to do that better then the 10000 other people that apply and that you also won't run away until your contract is up.

November 20th, 2009, 13:49	#19 (permalink)
tenderRondo Assistant ITIL Spokesperson Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sorry Pablo Posts: 7,626	Can Kall and Princess Marissa please keep the SOP talk in the SOP thread. If you do not stop I will notify the moderators and have you infracted for cluttering up this thread about japanimation. __________________ Ducks Fly Together

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