Yuria Tani Fourth year, Faculty of Liberal Arts （received a job offer from a global financial firm）
Study abroad, extracurricular activities, clubs, volunteer work, internships – fulfilling their dreams to grow themselves as individuals. In these seven conversations, students who have challenged themselves speak about how they’ve changed and grown from enrollment to the present.
I first became interested in Sophia University after attending its open campus in my third year of junior high school—the atmosphere felt like a great fit. Later, I spent a year in the United States as a first-year high school student, which made me want to keep learning in English at the university level. The Faculty of Liberal Arts, where English is the main language of instruction and students can study a broad range of subjects in English, aligned perfectly with what I was looking for.
Because I had a vague interest in working for the United Nations someday, the Development Economics course immediately caught my attention. One thing that stood out was learning about case studies and practical approaches to poverty—for example, how simply having access to textbooks can influence children’s development. The class helped me clarify my desire to pursue a career where I can contribute to addressing social issues.
I first learned about a long-term internship program offered by a global software company when my marketing instructor mentioned the opportunity in class. I decided to apply because some graduates from my faculty had joined the company, and I expected to have many opportunities to use English. I also felt that working over a longer period would allow me to learn more deeply. I ultimately spent about five months there during my junior year. I was placed in the pre-sales department, where I mainly proposed solutions to clients and provided follow-up support for those already using the company’s products.
In the pre-sales department, being able to answer any customer questions was simply expected, which meant I needed a solid understanding of the product features to make appropriate recommendations. Memorizing such a large amount of product information was challenging at first, but my assigned buddy, a full-time employee, supported me by sharing study materials and giving me opportunities to practice what I had learned.
Another challenge was balancing the internship with my classes. To manage both, I planned my daily schedule in advance and made a conscious effort to maintain a healthy balance between my work responsibilities and my studies.
One standout experience was accompanying my buddy to client meetings, where I observed real negotiations unfold up close as both sides worked to align their needs. I learned a lot from my buddy’s communication style and negotiation skills. I also received hands-on guidance in professional fundamentals—from exchanging business cards to writing meeting minutes, sending emails, and preparing proposal materials. These experiences helped me build essential skills for the workplace.
While the work at my internship was intellectually stimulating, I have long been interested in addressing social issues and eventually realized that investment could be a meaningful way to contribute to positive change. By working in the asset management industry, where I can apply the economics I focused on at university, not only do I want to help solve various social issues, but I also aim to contribute to a better society by investing in companies that can drive positive impact.
If something sparks your interest or promising chance comes along, don’t be afraid to go for it. When I was preparing for internships and job applications, I often felt nervous and held back because I compared myself to others. Eventually, I decided to take that first step, thinking that making an effort might lead to change, and I soon discovered new learning experiences and met many inspiring people.
You may even find doors opening in ways you never expected, so I encourage you to approach new opportunities with a positive mindset and confidence.
Performing with a band club
I joined a band club in the fall of the second year, playing both bass and keyboard. The photos show our performances at the club’s spring live event and on stage at the Sophia Festival. I’ve always loved metal music, so practicing and performing overseas metal and rock with friends who shared the same passion made those times special to me. Even rehearsals were enjoyable, and bringing our music to the stage turned those moments into truly memorable experiences.
※Please note that the content of this article is correct as of October 2024
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Applying Long-Term Internship Experience to Address Social Issues Through Investment
