[Student PR Staff] Interview with Accepted Students Vol.5

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: Otsuharu Kawashima (3rd year, Department of International Exchange Studies Faculty of International Humanities)

This time we interviewed Yamaguchi Karin, a fourth-year student Faculty of Social Work Studies, Department of Social Work Studies. Yamaguchi is studying hard to obtain two national qualifications: a social worker and a mental health and welfare worker. Her job offer is from the same psychiatric hospital where she did her internship. Yamaguchi talked about her job hunting experience, in which she gained the trust of the staff at her internship, which led to her job offer.

The desire to "serve others" began in elementary and junior high school

Yamaguchi answering questions in an interview

Growing up in an educational environment where I had many contacts with people with disabilities is what inspired me to pursue a career in welfare. I had many opportunities to interact with people with disabilities, such as studying in the same classes as them in elementary and junior high school and participating in exchange events with local facilities. This is what made me want to pursue a career in welfare. Although I also wanted to study anime and manga, which I loved, I decided to study disability welfare in depth at university, and decided to enroll at Josai International University University. After enrolling and experiencing hospital internships, I began to feel a desire to enrich the lives of patients with limitations in certain areas, even if only a little, and so I began to think about working in a hospital.

Building trust through internship experience that led to job offer

The curriculum changed in my year, and I was to go on two internships in my fourth year. It was hard to balance my studies with my internships, but I was able to use what I learned at the internship site, and I feel that I was able to gain the trust of the staff at the internship site because I was able to convey that I was studying hard. I wanted to get a job at the hospital where I was doing my internship, but the recruitment information was not public, so I contacted the hospital myself and was given a special opportunity to interview. In the interview with the director, I was asked about my academic background (what I focused on as a student), my reasons for applying, my strengths and weaknesses, etc. Although the results of the internship were important, I was able to speak confidently by thoroughly preparing in advance for the interview and being prepared to answer any questions. Also, by preparing some funny stories, it also helped to get the staff interested in me.

Advice for students looking for jobs

I think the time when you get a job offer varies from person to person. I got my job offer around the summer of my fourth year. If you are worried about job hunting, I think it's a good idea to start preparing early in your third year. Considering that you will be busy with your practical training in your fourth year, it may be a good idea to make a plan and take action early. I also volunteered at a B-type employment support facility and helped with events at the facility. In Department of Social Work Studies you can actually feel the atmosphere of the facility through practical training and volunteering, so I think it's easy to imagine working there. Of course, daily classes and student life are also important. I learned the importance of working with others through interprofessional education classes and open campus staff. Please cherish the daily accumulation and spend Campus Life.