For the Third Phase of the TOMODACHI High School Women Career Mentoring Program, Students Meet With Successful Global Career Women
From December 19-20, 2015, the third phase of the TOMODACHI High School Women Career Mentoring Program in Fukushima was launched at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center in Yoyogi, Tokyo. Three young professional women from eight companies, including female employees from Strategic Parnters Lawson and FamilyMart Co., Ltd. which comprises the TOMODACHI Combini Fund, participated in this phase of the program. Under the theme, “Choices for My Future,” the women shared the roles of their companies in society, experiences from being the workforce, their life stories, and closed with final words and messages to the high school students.
The participants divided into teams and discussed and presented their thoughts on key factors that make adults vivacious and inspiring.
“Live life in the ‘now’” “Discover your passions” “Take action without fearing failure” were some of the comments that the participants made after hearing the speeches by the professional women.
The high school participants commented on the following regarding this program.
“My image of a “stuffy professional” has been swept away. I would like to use what I’ve learned to become an energetic and vibrant professional.”
“I realized that if I am passionate about what I want, it will communicate to people. Even if things are difficult, if you involve the people around you, you will be closer to becoming successful.”
“I have not completely defined by dream but I would like to take advantage of this time as a high school student to take my time and make an effort to determine my future goals.”
The two-day workshop became an opportunity for the students to think about their next steps and to find a role model, through these vibrant professional women.
The fourth and final phase of this program will be held in Iwaki, Fukushima prefecture on January 30 and 31, 2016. In this final phase, the participants will organize an event called, “Making Yourself, Making the Future” on January 31 for high school freshman and present what they learned to the students. The participants will share their stories about the program, what they learned during the program and how they’ve been impacted, and a message to the younger students.
“Making Yourself, Making the Future”
Date/Time：Januuary 31 (Sun), 12:30pm- 5pm
Venue: Iwaki Cultural Center
Participants: High school women living in Fukushima prefecture who are in their freshman year
Participation Fee: Free
For more information, click here (Japanese only)
