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[Student PR Staff] Interview with Accepted Students Vol.3

student activities

2024.09.12

We, the student PR staff, disseminate information about JIU from a student perspective both inside and outside the university. We mainly interview students and cover events and disseminate information about them.

Student PR staff: Hikaru Miyata (3rd year Faculty of Management and Information Sciences)
Student PR staff: Sena Kijima (3rd year Faculty of Management and Information Sciences)
Student PR staff: Hideto Katayama (3rd year Faculty of Management and Information Sciences)

This time we interviewed Tomohiko Hirata, a senior at Faculty of Media Studies Department of Media And Communications Film and Performing Arts Course! Mr. Hirata had been actively participating in internships and "1-day work experience" programs since he was a sophomore in college. As a result of steadily increasing his strengths from an early stage, he successfully received a job offer from his first-choice company in May of his fourth year of college.

From deciding to go to university to receiving a job offer

When I was in high school, the COVID-19 pandemic was spreading, so I spent more time at home. I spent more time watching TV, and developed a strong interest in the TV industry and the media field. From there, I started thinking about my future career path and enrolled in Josai International University Faculty of Media Studies. In class, I learned about program production, and about 10 students produced programs introducing the area around the university and educational programs.
From my second year of university, I participated in internships at many companies. After the internships, I realized that I wanted to work in a video-related technical position, rather than a general position at a company. In the actual job interview, I talked about my experiences in class and the trial and error I went through during program production, and prepared a portfolio of programs I had produced, and used that information to promote myself. In May of my fourth year of university, I received a job offer from my first choice company, where I felt I could hone my skills in a workplace that suited me.

The difficulties of job hunting and interview preparation

Hirata explains about the interview practice

The interview booth used by Hirata

I especially struggled with creating my application form. I applied to about 10 companies, so I prepared a different application form for each one. I struggled with thinking about what I wanted to appeal to each company and how I matched with them.
As I interviewed at a number of companies, I felt that it was easier for the interviewer to understand if I thought about it and spoke for myself, rather than simply memorizing what I had practiced and remembering what to say. I wrote down my strengths and past experiences on large sticky notes and covered the entire wall with them. This allowed me to visualize my strengths, organize what I wanted to say, and prepare for the interview with the awareness of conveying them to the other person. However, since practicing too much for interviews can make you seem like a stereotypical student, I received guidance on interview etiquette and corrections to my application form at the Career Development and Placement Center so that I could still be myself.
 

Looking back on my job search

Since I was in high school, I had wanted to work in the video engineering field. In the summer of my second year of university, I participated in internships with several companies that I found on student job information sites and company websites, and received a job offer in May of my fourth year. By participating in the internships, I was able to increase the number of stories I could talk about during the actual selection process. I also believe that by proactively asking questions to employees, I was able to leave a lasting impression during the selection process.
I felt that it was important to participate in an internship and not be satisfied with it, but to participate and show off your skills. In my case, in addition to internships, I also looked for "1-day work experience" and participated in many of them, which I highly recommend.
My third year of university was the hardest time for me because I had to balance my classes with job hunting. I quit my part-time job as an event staff member, thinking it would help me in the job I wanted to do, and focused on job hunting.

Advice for juniors starting their job search

I think the most important thing is to first research the industry and try to participate in an internship in the industry you want to work in. Taking action early, such as attending company information sessions, will lead to early job offers. I started using the Career Development and Placement Center in my third year of university and visited alumni. I was introduced to other alumni by them, and was able to meet about six of them. I definitely think that when it comes to job hunting, you should take action early, gain lots of experience, and get used to it.