Bjorn Apprenticeship

[HankDio]

I imagine Bjorns requirements are similar to what he went through as an unpaid apprentice for what, 5-7 years at Eisei-en. I think I recall he even stayed on an additional year as a thank you after he was technically finished, but I could be wrong.

In Japan I believe it is traditional to do the 4-6 year apprenticeship, and THEN you "gift" your master an extra year as thanks. I am not sure of Bjorn or Ryan did this but I have heard this is the custom over there.

 

[vp999]

doubtful. I don’t think anybody in bonsai in the US at least is making huge sums of money.

I didn't 100% mean financial wise...But the skill and knowledge to be a great bonsai artist.

 

[Wulfskaar]

Well... just be careful and be smart. Good luck to the applicants.

 

[HankDio]

Even if the "apprentice" agrees, it doesn't make it legal. Ancient Japanese labor laws do not apply here. And even if it is legal, which it appears it may be in that state, it doesn't make it ethical.

Also, there is only a very small chance of a big pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

This makes me wonder just how many applicants did 3 months or less of free work... only to move on or get let go... only to have the next recruit start his/her 3 months of free labor. It just screams scam to me, but hey, I'm a "western" guy with modern values, so what do I know?

Again, go for it if that's what you want, or if you're very desperate to break into the nursery business. I just don't think it's smart unless you're financially able to handle the lack of pay and absolutely know that bonsai is all you ever want to do.

Your "Modern Western Values" still love to exploit unpaid cooperate labor, underpaid physical labor, menial minimum wage, and lackadaisical gig-economy scraps. It's perfectly legal in most of The South because of our lessee-faire "right to work" labor laws. I've explained my own experienced with internships in professional environments. You are clearly not interested, and you have your reasons, but there is nothing that is sketchy here based on my experiences tangling with corporate America. You just don't get something (read: skills and experience) for nothing.

 

[Wulfskaar]

Your "Modern Western Values" still love to exploit unpaid cooperate labor, underpaid physical labor, menial minimum wage, and lackadaisical gig-economy scraps. It's perfectly legal in most of The South because of our lessee-faire "right to work" labor laws. I've explained my own experienced with internships in professional environments. You are clearly not interested, and you have your reasons, but there is nothing that is sketchy here based on my experiences tangling with corporate America. You just don't get something (read: skills and experience) for nothing.

Yeah man, you do you.

 

[Dav4]

I’m just gonna go ahead and bet that Bjorn buys the first round of beers for his apprentice every Saturday night… And probably the second one, too

 

[Carol 83]

I’m just gonna go ahead and bet that Bjorn buys the first round of beers for his apprentice every Saturday night… And probably the second one, too

I just applied.

 

[Ohmy222]

i can't believe this post took off... he lays it out. wish all job descriptions were so thorough. I just posted a couple of positions at work and I am clearly lying my ass off in the descriptions.

 

[Hartinez]

I’m just gonna go ahead and bet that Bjorn buys the first round of beers for his apprentice every Saturday night… And probably the second one, too

This.

 

[ShadyStump]

Wasn't @Njyamadori talking about looking for an apprenticeship a little while back?
Where has that kid gone to anyway?

 

[yenling83]

Great opportunity for the right person!

 

[Maloghurst]

Seems to me that Bjorns detailed explanation of duties was perfect.
It immediately got rid of a huge group of people who are not dedicated enough or are afraid of hard work.

 

[vp999]

I’m just gonna go ahead and bet that Bjorn buys the first round of beers for his apprentice every Saturday night… And probably the second one, too

If they’re allowed to drink at al lol.

 

[vp999]

Great opportunity for the right person!

Like a mid 20s guy who hit it big in crypto and doesn’t need the income anymore lol.

 

[Texasbonsai98]

Everyone talking about “unpaid internships” for college students and people right out of college. I don’t have much experience of how it was in the past, but I can say certainly that almost every single skilled internship today is paid and paid decently well. Seems like some of y’all are living far in the past.

 

[yenling83]

Like a mid 20s guy who hit it big in crypto and doesn’t need the income anymore lol.

This coming from a college grad who also has a portfolio made up of about 10% crypto.

For someone who's interested in pursuing Bonsai at the highest level and making it a career, this is a great opportunity. I went to the University of CA and got a Sociology degree. It cost me a whole heck of a lot and I ended up going into Business because I actually wanted to make some money. For the right driven person, you'll have the opportunity to make more money in something your passionate about while spending less than many 4 year universities.

 

[Scorpius]

Seems to me that Bjorns detailed explanation of duties was perfect.
It immediately got rid of a huge group of people who are not dedicated enough or are afraid of hard work.

I'm dedicated and a hard worker. Stop generalizing people.

 

[HankDio]

Everyone talking about “unpaid internships” for college students and people right out of college. I don’t have much experience of how it was in the past, but I can say certainly that almost every single skilled internship today is paid and paid decently well. Seems like some of y’all are living far in the past.

Trust me, unpaid internships are not a thing of the past.

 

[Hartinez]

I just don’t fully understand some of the mentalities. Unless I’m an awful judge of character, or Bjorn has done an excellent job pulling the wool over our eyes, I’d imagine this opportunity is not the gulag, slave situation some are is assuming it is. I’m willing to bet that being at that garden and being present for one of the best artists in the world would yield some amazing experiences and knowledge. I’d also imagine the Bjorn is amazing as a person to be around, regardless of the situation. Clearly this internship is not for most who are on this site including myself and THATS OK. It is for a number of folks out there though.

 

[Texasbonsai98]

Trust me, unpaid internships are not a thing of the past.

"skilled" ones are. There are so many opportunities out there if you don't make the cut for a paid internship and have no other choice than a unpaid internship, then you just weren't good enough.