Daniel Gordon, Contributor at Large
For Kit Cox, a dream international move became reality.
Originally from Georgia and previously working as a broadcast engineer in California, Kit fell in love with Japan at an early age, immersing herself in the rich history and language, both from afar and in numerous trips. When she discovered that Mini-Circuits Japan needed a field applications engineer, the stars aligned perfectly.
“I had an advantage in that I had already been to the country many times,” Kit said of her 2022 relocation, which was preceded by extensive training at Mini-Circuits’ Brooklyn, New York headquarters.
Kit found additional comfort in the welcoming, supportive environment created by Regional Sales Director Thomas Joyce, who, having moved to Japan from Ireland many years ago, had all the info and connections Kit needed to tackle the exciting (though at times tiring) process of getting settled. “Thankfully, Thomas was helping me, because he’s lived here for over 30 years. He’s pretty much Japanese at this point.”
Mini-Circuits Japan is located in Yokohama, a bustling city with small-town charm. Some areas almost feel rural. Instead of commuting in rush-hour traffic, Kit walks through a lovely park to get to work. Of course, living in the Land of the Rising Sun still took some getting used to compared to visiting. For example, when Kit’s father flew to Yokohama to celebrate Thanksgiving, chicken became the main dish because turkey is virtually impossible to find in Japan. But Kit says she didn’t mind. A change of routine is a small slice of what makes adapting to a new culture so fulfilling.
Family members aren’t the only visitors Kit has shown around Yokohama as a local. Mini-Circuits members from around the world fly in as well. “One of my favorite parts of the job is facilitating the international arrivals,” she says. “I like seeing their reactions to new things we can show them. And I think everybody learns something new by the time their trip is over.”
Kit’s daily life in Japan offers a blend of work and leisure. As a field applications engineer, she typically starts the day in the office by reviewing what happened over the last 12 hours in the U.S. and translating documents.
Kit’s role is highly social, too. She often speaks with sales reps who stop by the office, and a few times a week, she travels to see them. She visits customer sites as well. The social aspect of being a Mini-Circuits engineer is especially satisfying because Kit feels like she has an answer for every customer.
“The Mini-Circuits product line is so wide that we’re one of the few companies out there that can customize,” Kit said. “Somebody can come to me and say, ‘Hey, we’ve got this problem. How can we solve this?’ And usually I can reply, ‘We can do this for you.'”
After work, Kit’s time is dedicated to Japanese language classes from 7 pm until about 9 p.m. Any leftover time is given to band practice—yes, band practice! Kit joined a traditional Japanese band soon after moving and loves how the music connects to the country’s past. The band plays instruments like the horizontal flute, taiko drums and bells. They also participate in lion dancing, a nod to Japanese Noh theater. Each member of the band rotates instruments and roles.
Back at work, being a part of the Mini-Circuits team aligns Kit’s professional purpose with her passions. She can explore Japanese culture and live like a local while engaging in meaningful work. “We’re contributing to the development of society and the next step,” Kit says of Mini-Circuits’ innovative and essential products. “I’m proud that Mini-Circuits can be a part of that.”
Life may bring Kit more travel opportunities in the near future. The band she’s in participates in cultural exchanges with Yokohama’s sister cities in Canada, China, France, and the U.S. “I haven’t traveled yet as part of the group. But when I do, it’s going to be very interesting,” Kit said, noting lightheartedly that she doesn’t necessarily look Japanese.
As she continues to embrace life in Japan, Kit also looks forward to experiencing new cultures and building relationships with Mini-Circuits members worldwide.
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