Believing in Myself: Finding My Path to Finance

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.

Q. Why did you choose the Faculty of Economics?

I’ve always enjoyed English and wanted to interact with people from different countries. Since I hoped to study abroad, Sophia stood out for its extensive network of overseas partner universities and its internationally diverse campus.

I chose the Department of Management because my family runs a real estate business, which sparked my interest in management. Sophia offered both the global environment and academic focus I was looking for, making it a natural choice.

Q. What were you most involved in during your time at university?

I had spent 18 years training seriously in swimming with the goal of competing at the national level. Wanting to find something I could be equally passionate about at university, I joined the windsurfing club.

At first I was overconfident and underestimated how difficult it would be. I got off to a slow start, partly because I approached it too casually. My results improved after I became more committed in the second half of my second year, but I still regret not taking it seriously from the start. It taught me that excelling at something takes both passion and sustained effort.

Q. What role did you play in the windsurfing club?

I became fully committed to the club when I took on a leadership role in my third year. As the club’s finance officer, I was responsible for collecting travel expenses, managing cash, and overseeing the club’s finances.

The club often faced financial challenges, and alumni donations alone were not enough to cover expenses. So I worked with other members to launch an annual alumni membership fee system and helped manage its first year. Working closely with our alumni and solving problems as they arose helped us build trust along the way.

Managing the club’s finances also gave me an opportunity to apply what I learned in the Department of Management.

Q. How did you approach your job search?

I initially considered real estate, but through swimming and windsurfing, I realized I enjoy environments where I can succeed through my own efforts. That led me to finance, where individual expertise and performance matter.

During my job search, I met with around 150 Sophia graduates. The advice that stayed with me most was that no matter which path you choose, it’s up to you to make it the right one. Realizing that it was okay to be unsure, and that no single path was inherently right or wrong, helped me approach my job search more positively and broadened my perspective.

Q. What was the most difficult part of your job search?

Throughout the process, I tried to treat every encounter as a unique opportunity and approached both alumni and potential employers with respect. What made job hunting difficult was the lack of clear answers. I often struggled with self-doubt, so I turned to Sophia’s Career Center for support.

Their encouragement gave me the confidence to be myself, while their advice on applications and interviews helped me stay positive throughout the process.

Q. Why did you choose Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation?

One reason was the opportunity to develop both specialized expertise and a broad range of career paths. That aligned closely with what I was looking for in a career and with my goal of building my own strengths as a professional.

The other was the people. Their prompt responses and sincere support left a strong impression on me, and the way they consistently treated me with care ultimately made the difference.

Q. What did you learn through the job-search process?

Until then, I had often measured myself through the eyes of others. But during my job search, I realized there’s a limit to how much you can rely on other people’s evaluations. That made me look inward and focus more on my own values. I came to believe that job hunting centers on being honest about who you are and finding a company that appreciates you for it.

When guided by your own values, you can choose your path with confidence, and I think that leads to a more fulfilling career.

Q. Any messages for current students?

Don’t rush. Take time to figure out what you truly want to pursue, and don’t force yourself down a path that doesn’t feel right. At the same time, never stop trying new things. Studying abroad in Canada during my fourth year changed my life and gave me the confidence to express my own opinions. Whatever you choose, pursue it with passion.

※Please note that the information in this article is current as of October 2025.