125 Female High School Students from Fukushima Become Inspired and Find Role Models from the Session with Female Professionals

From December 16 to 17, 2017, STEP3 of the TOMODACHI High School Women Career Mentoring Program in Fukushima 2017 supported by the TOMODACHI Combini Fund was held at the National Olympic Memorial Youth Center in Yoyogi, Tokyo. A total of 24 female employees from seven TOMODACHI Sponsor companies (EVOLUTION FINANCIAL GROUP, Kikkoman Corporation, All-Nippon Airways Co., Ltd., Pasona Inc., FamilyMart Co., Ltd., Mizuho Bank, Ltd., Lawson, Inc.) were joined by three TOMODACHI employees to conduct a session titled “Your Own Future Choices”.

Before the session began, participants first presented the results from the personal challenges they set for themselves in the previous session. Students reported on their various achievements, including one student reporting that she participated in an event in Kanto on her own and performed hula, while another noted that she made it a habit to set one challenge a day. Others students shared such experiences as helping students study for the entrance exams from a student council president’s perspective; researching Nepal’s water issues and presenting it on the school broadcast; reconciling with a friend that had become distant; and actively speaking up once a day in class to change a timid personality. Students applauded one another’s challenges and achievements.

Afterwards, the female professionals went on stage and discussed their careers and struggles around the theme of “Choices for my Future.” They each talked about how their own companies contribute to the wider society as well as what they have gained from their working experiences. They also talked about their own lives and delivered personal messages to the high school students.

The participants who listened to the female employees’ discussion got together in teams and presented about “the important qualities to become a successful adult in the future.” They were able to envision their own “ideal adult image,” which including such qualities as: continuing to reach for a goal; continuing to challenge yourself because there will be people who are supportive even when you fail; not giving up and not putting yourself down; continuing to progress by believing in yourself and others; and believing in and appreciating your fellow colleagues.

The high school students participating in the program shared the following about their experiences:

“I was able to learn about many things from the female employees and collect information that will be helpful when deciding my own career path.”
“It was wonderful to hear their valuable life stories, which made me realize that I do not have to be the same as everyone else and that I should pursue my own path.”
“I was able to set my own goal as to what kind of adult I want to be in the future.”

During the two-day session with the female employees, who are also actively pursuing their careers in their respective companies, the students were able to find their future “role models” and get an idea of the kind of future that they want to have.

On the second day of the program, the students prepared the presentations that they will present in the STEP4 session for freshman high school students. Each team presented their proposals and had strategy meetings with other members of each school to discuss ways to recruit more students. They devised new ideas, such as holding a school information session, negotiating with teachers to put up posters around the school, and presenting a school broadcast to promote their event.

STEP4 will be held in Iwaki-shi, Fukushima from February 3 to 4, 2018. The theme of the event on February 4 will be “An Opportunity to Making Oneself and to Making a Future: LIVE.”  As a culmination of the program, the students will present what they have learned and how they have grown from the program for their ‘kohais.’

 

“An Opportunity to Making Oneself and to Making a Future: LIVE”
http://jibunmirai.com/tomodachi/live.html
Date: February 4, 2018; 12:30-17:00
Place: Higashi Nippon International University, Kamata Campus
Application Requirement: Female students who are in their first year of high school and who are attending a school in Fukushima
Participation Fee: Free
How to Apply: Use the link below
https://ws.formzu.net/fgen/S82208763/