Last week, I had the pleasure of joining a panel for returning JETs, organized by JETAANC and the Japanese Consulate in San Francisco. As a former JET myself, it felt a bit like coming full circle.
What struck me most was the energy in the room. These were bright, thoughtful, globally minded young people who had spent years in Japan and were now figuring out their next chapter back in the US. Some were looking for their first "real" job. Others were trying to pivot into something completely different. And many were carrying a very real sense of anxiety about the job market.
I wish I could say we had all the answers.
The truth is, all any of us on the panel could really offer was encouragement: trust your strengths, be patient with the process, and don't compare your path to someone else's.
I found myself sharing the same advice I always seem to come back to: invest in your network.
Looking back, almost every major opportunity in my own career can be traced back to a conversation, an introduction, or a relationship. Former JETs have helped me. University alumni have helped me. More recently, the GLOBIS community has opened doors and created connections I never would have found on my own.
It was also great to see that many of these networks were represented in the room. GLOBIS was there, as was the Japan Chamber of Commerce, along with several other organizations that have become part of my own professional journey over the years. It was a reminder that careers are rarely built alone. They are shaped by communities and by the generous people who share advice, make introductions, offer encouragement, and sometimes simply take the time for a conversation.
So my message was simple: reach out. Talk to other JETs. Connect with alumni from your school. Reconnect with people you've met along the way. Most people are far more willing to help than you might think.
I also mentioned a concept that has stayed with me since I first read Deepak Chopra's book Synchrodestiny many years ago. The idea is that our lives are shaped not only by planning and hard work, but also by meaningful coincidences and unexpected connections. Whether or not you buy into the philosophy behind it, I think there's something powerful about recognizing when opportunity appears and being willing to act.
When I look back on my own career, many of the defining moments were not part of some master plan. They came through chance encounters, introductions, unexpected projects, or simply being open to possibilities I hadn't considered before. In other words, a bit of synchrodestiny.
Of course, being in the right place at the right time isn't enough. You also have to recognize the opportunity when it appears and have the courage to grab it.
For those returning from Japan and wondering what's next, my hope is that they remember this: your experience abroad has already changed you in ways that matter. Stay curious. Stay connected. Keep showing up. Build your network.
And when synchrodestiny comes knocking, make sure you answer the door.
You never know where it might lead.
