8th Annual OAA Career Seminar
(Japanese .pdf also available)
On February 23, 2002, our 8th Annual Career Seminar was held in the Shoan and Shizuko Yamauchi Building. As all three speakers spoke about their careers, they emphasized how much they loved their jobs. For all the young people, they recommended that you talk to people about their jobs and what your interests are, do volunteer work or internship in that field and be open to opportunities of other venues of career choices. They spoke eloquently and were very knowledgeable of their chosen careers. As a special feature, Allison Arakawa spoke on the Kempi Scholarship (all expenses paid) for a one-year study in Okinawa.
Russell Nakada – Graphic Design & Print (We print to help people communicate!)
Russell grew up in Gardena, attended 135th St. School, Peary Jr. High and graduated from Gardena High School. He received his B.A. degree from USC. He is the general manager of his family owned “Label Service, Inc.” in Torrance which consists of the three Nakada brothers and 10 employees. He knows the capabilities of his business and his employees so he can estimate sales and schedule printer material to meet the needs of the customer. He emphasized the importance of knowing the community your business is located in and taking opportunities to interact with people by your involvement in community activities which have generated business opportunities for his company. He has attended workshops to learn of new technologies such as digital printing and to network with others in this field. Although the snowball effect of 9/11 terrorist attack is affecting the small business too, he is optimistic of the future and the opportunities it will bring.
His community involvement includes the OAA and the Hokubei Kin Club. Last year, he captured the audience in his “Elvis” costume as M.C. for our New Year’s Party. During his leisure time, he enjoys racketball, karate – (Shorinryu-black belt and Ashihara), Las Vegas, shakuhachi, drinking, dancing, hiking and fishing. He is the son of Sachiko and the late Minoru Nakada.
Dr. Eric Ige – Optometrist (self-employed)
Eric grew up in Torrance and continues to live in Torrance with his wife, Charlene, and three children. He graduated from California State University at Long Beach and the Southern California College of Optometry in Fullerton. His office is at the Professional Vision Care Office of Dr. Taniguchi, Dr. Eric Ige and Dr. Stan Matsuoka on Crenshaw Ave. near Artesia Blvd. There are three kinds of eye care professionals – Optician (makes glasses and contact lenses), Optometrist (detects, diagnoses & treats vision problems and ocular diseases) and Opthomalogist – medical and surgery doctor. It is a highly competitive field but the work time is very flexible so it is a good career for women. It takes eight years of education (four years college & four years of optometry school) before taking the state license test. He loves his job so he serves as a mentor for UCI students and welcomes any interested youth to talk to him or spend a day at the office for an in-depth view of optometry. His community involvement includes being the treasurer of the Asian American Optometric Society. During his leisure time, he enjoys spending time with his family. He is the son of Frank and Gloria Ige.
Albert Kaneshiro – Architect
Upon graduation from University High School, Albert earned a B.A. Degree in design and an M.A. Degree in Architecture. He works at Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum, (HOK) Inc. as an architectural designer and project architect. He designs, plans, organizes and coordinates ideas for the construction of commercial and institutional buildings such as the Japanese American National Museum and the Long Beach Aquarium. There are two types of architecture – residential housing and the commercial & institutional buildings. The California state license consists of nine written tests and an oral exam. He must be a “jack of all trades” because teamwork is required to get each project done. Although his work hours fluctuate from project to project, and he works on the average of 40 to 60 hours per week, he loves his job. It is a white male donimated profession with Asians as the high minority.
Albert says, as a youth, he started with an interest in the arts and the sciences so he pursued his education in graphic design, but after an architect internship in Okinawa, he directed his study towards architecture. His community involvement is participating in our OAA activities when time permits. He and his wife, Tami, recently bought their first home which keeps him busy around the house. During his leisure time, he enjoys running, golf and travel. He spoke at the 5th Annual Careers Seminar as the Kempi scholarship recipient. He is the son of Takeo and Yoshi Kaneshiro.
Allison Arakawa – 1994 Kempi Scholarship Recipient
Allison grew up in Hawaii and moved to California last year. She graduated from the University of Hawaii with a B.A. Degree in English. She works for Buena Vista Data Casting as the Sales and Marketing Administrator to support the VP of sales and marketing team. In 1994, she became the recipient of the Kempi Scholarship for a year long study (all expenses paid) at the University of Ryukyu in Okinawa. She had to take four classes in Japanese Kanji, grammar and speaking with tutors to help her. The weather was very hot and humid during the summer and very cold and rainy during the winter. Walking and riding the bus was the main mode of transportation in Okinawa. She lived in dorms with other international Kempi recipients from North and South America, Asia and Europe. Although she was very homesick in the beginning, she did make friends and began to enjoy the gracious and hospitable Okinawan people. She studied sanshin with Terukina Sensei, attended Goju-ryu karate classes and studied singing with Composer Tuneo Fukuhara and Chieko Iha. Allison recommends all Okinawan youths to apply for the Kempi Scholarship which is a very unique opportunity to learn about their Okinawan heritage and culture. In 2000, she won the NHK Shiro Oto Nodo Sima Singing Competition in Hawaii. She has shared her singing talent with the OAA at the 3rd Anniversary Open House and the 2003 New Year’s Party. She is the niece of Hideo & Katsuko Arakawa.
Curtis Shoji Yamauchi – Moderator
Curtis grew up in Gardena, attended Amestoy, Peary Jr. High and graduated from Gardena High School. He earned his B. A. Degree from California State University in Pomona in mechanical engineering. He is a past scholarship recipient from the OAA in 1992. For relaxation, you can find Curtis fishing or playing golf. He is an avid sports fan and is often a referee at basketball games. He is the eldest son of Shigeko Yamauchi and the late William Yamauchi.
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