Returner's Conference
Monday's conference started at 2, so we got into Yokohama (MinatoMirai) around 12. We grabbed the materials for the conference and then Mark and I went to the hotel next door the Intercontinental, and tried to check in, though we were two hours early. They let us, woo! And we soon went up to our room on the 14th floor. Not super high, but high enough to have a really nice view of the bay.
We ate quickly and made it to the opening ceremony/key note address. I think the keynote may have been the highlight of the conference. Anyway, we spent the afternoon listening to people talk and finished around 6:30.
I discovered that Katrina Dato, my former ICC roomie was also at the conference so we met up for dinner at TGIFridays with Mark and a few of her friends. We had a good time and didn't go too over board with the greasy, yummy food.
On Tuesday we had talks about different jobs. I went to Journalism/Publishing, Marketing, Event Planning, and Tourism. I can't say they were all that helpful. In my opinion, the conference can be split into two categories: helpful if you want to work in Japan and helpful if you want to work at home in your own country. I obviously fall into the latter category and unfortunately for me, the conference was split to about 90%/10%. I wasn't happy and I spent a lot of time complaining. It's what I do.
Tuesday night, Mark and I met up with another college friend, Mike Chesnik, who works near Yokohama, in Chinatown. We wandered a bit and found a restaurant that didn't cost too much. Thilmin joined us and we had a lovely dinner.
The next morning I decided to skip the panel discussions because there is nothing I hate more than people asking stupid questions. 90% of Jet conferences go something like, "Well, see, at my school, we do this, and I know that's like no one else, and well, I want to know, what I can do, and how I can do it, and I am totally unique and this question doesn't apply to anyone and I know you are going to say, well that depends, but....." Garr! Unfortunately, I didn't get too far before I realised that the stores don't open until 11am. So I ended up back at the conference. So much for being a rebel. The last thing was a business panel and there was actually a girl who is an artist. So it was relatively interesting and helpful. And then we were finally free, free to get SUBWAY!!!!!!!
Mark and I trained back to Dana and Michel's and then drove back home, pausing briefly to Photograph Fuji.
And we got back around 6. Good times over all, though I was disappointed in the speakers and also in the job fair. Perhaps I am the minority, wanting to leave Japan after three years, but I think not. When I am rich and powerful and living in America, I'll make time to come speak at the returner's conference to give people like me hope.
We ate quickly and made it to the opening ceremony/key note address. I think the keynote may have been the highlight of the conference. Anyway, we spent the afternoon listening to people talk and finished around 6:30.
I discovered that Katrina Dato, my former ICC roomie was also at the conference so we met up for dinner at TGIFridays with Mark and a few of her friends. We had a good time and didn't go too over board with the greasy, yummy food.
On Tuesday we had talks about different jobs. I went to Journalism/Publishing, Marketing, Event Planning, and Tourism. I can't say they were all that helpful. In my opinion, the conference can be split into two categories: helpful if you want to work in Japan and helpful if you want to work at home in your own country. I obviously fall into the latter category and unfortunately for me, the conference was split to about 90%/10%. I wasn't happy and I spent a lot of time complaining. It's what I do.
Tuesday night, Mark and I met up with another college friend, Mike Chesnik, who works near Yokohama, in Chinatown. We wandered a bit and found a restaurant that didn't cost too much. Thilmin joined us and we had a lovely dinner.
The next morning I decided to skip the panel discussions because there is nothing I hate more than people asking stupid questions. 90% of Jet conferences go something like, "Well, see, at my school, we do this, and I know that's like no one else, and well, I want to know, what I can do, and how I can do it, and I am totally unique and this question doesn't apply to anyone and I know you are going to say, well that depends, but....." Garr! Unfortunately, I didn't get too far before I realised that the stores don't open until 11am. So I ended up back at the conference. So much for being a rebel. The last thing was a business panel and there was actually a girl who is an artist. So it was relatively interesting and helpful. And then we were finally free, free to get SUBWAY!!!!!!!
Mark and I trained back to Dana and Michel's and then drove back home, pausing briefly to Photograph Fuji.
And we got back around 6. Good times over all, though I was disappointed in the speakers and also in the job fair. Perhaps I am the minority, wanting to leave Japan after three years, but I think not. When I am rich and powerful and living in America, I'll make time to come speak at the returner's conference to give people like me hope.