I had been interested in assisted reproductive technology for animals since I was a high school student, so I applied to Okayama University to learn about this field at a professional level. The university also offers the Special Course for Global Human Resource Development in which students from any faculty can enroll and gain overseas experience. This was another main reason why I chose to study at Okayama University.
 In research, I set a goal of attending an international conference during my studies and worked hard on research. I found research in the undergraduate project very fulfilling, such as working part-time at a ranch on Saturdays and Sundays and going to a ranch in the morning to obtain research samples of bovine uterus. Eventually, with guidance from my professor in the lab, I was able to present my research results at an international conference.
 Regarding overseas experience, I studied at the University of Alberta in Canada for 10 months in my third year. There were very few Japanese in the area and as I felt that the local people knew little about Japanese culture, I organized a Japanese culture festival together with other Japanese students studying there. We introduced the local community to Japanese culture by sharing typical customs, such as yukata, rice cakes and kendama.
 At the University of Alberta, I attended lectures on business as well as my major of agriculture. Learning about areas other than agriculture gave me an opportunity to reconsider my future career, and I became interested in professions requiring interaction with many different industries and people.
 After returning to Japan, I lived in the International Student Shared House at Okayama University and spent the days with international students from various countries, which formed many memories. I think that Okayama University made this possible.
 Career advisers at university and my professor in the lab were very supportive and gave me good advice, and I joined PwC Consulting LLC. I chose to become a technology consultant working in many industries through technology because if I had chosen to be a business consultant, the areas of industry with clients might have been limited. Currently, I am often in charge of a project management office (PMO). I was recently assigned the PMO role of selling “connected cars” that connect IT with automobile(s). With the help of senior colleagues, I managed to successfully launch a sales campaign. While there is still much to learn, I have been kept motivated since starting my career by being involved in big business deals.
 It is a hard role with many tasks, but I have progressed using the strengths and management skills that I gained through the research project at the university. I also think that attitudes cultivated while studying abroad are helpful, allowing you to respect and accept diversity as well as gaining a good command of English. There are many people out there who think differently from you. Because your normal is not always normal for everyone else, sharing your opinion can help give you a deeper understanding from various perspectives. I try not to hesitate because I am new to the company but instead share my opinions, especially those unique to me or unique to a new recruit. I feel that the many international experiences I had during university, such as studying abroad and living in the International Student Shared House, taught me the importance of communication.
 If you are interested in being successful globally, I would encourage you to focus on what you want to do and actively work toward it. Various experiences will broaden your horizons and open up possibilities you would never think about otherwise. I have seen the excellent technological capabilities of many Japanese companies through my job, and this gave me a new goal of disseminating Japanese companies’ know-how overseas. I intend to keep actively promoting the excellence of Japan abroad.

As of November 2020