Gabi Li, a graduate of Ritsumeikan's CRPS, is an active professional in Japan's trading industry. Come discover her journey to reach her desired career goal with my fellow Peer Mentor Support Group, Chi, as she interviews and discovers great tips and tricks to her career in Japan.
This article is part of the Alumni Talks series. Visit the collaboration page to see a full list of all our Alumni Talks here.
Alumni talks series / #2 of a 5 Part Series
Keeping up with our alumni’s journeys, we bring you Gabi’s story as she shares anecdotes of her life at Ritsumeikan that helped her transcend to graduate studies at Kyoto University and find a stable job in Japan. In conversation with my fellow Peer Mentor Support Group member, Chi Thao Dinh, Gabi sheds light on the grad school application process and working culture of Japan through her experiences.
"Fall 2021 semester has officially started, and I have a recommendation for you to watch this weekend. Tune in to another episode of our Alumni Talks where we welcome Gabi Li, an alumna from the CRPS Class of 2017. I know what you all must be thinking,“We need something to chill.” And as much as I understand that, as a final year student, let me tell you an uncomfortable truth: We have time, but we got to make the most of this time. So, if you are someone who is figuring stuff out about your future in Japan, this might be exactly what you need."
Sakshi
Prepared for each step after earning her bachelor's degree, Gabi has been on a roll since then. She went on with higher studies pursuing her master's at Kyoto University’s School of Global Environmental Studies before she decided to settle with a stable job. Turning in your grad school applications while pursuing your undergraduate degree is hectic to say the least, hence she comes up with useful tips that can help us all balance out our stress.
Gabi worked through several applications and even though she started early on she went through her own set of rejections. “Have a second choice, since we are not lucky to get into our dream university”, she adds on this bitter truth when revealing her rejection by the University of Tokyo. As the conversation proceeds, Gabi does not shy away from spitting facts that may not sound all fun but definitely helps in the long run. She asserts that GPA (Grade Point Average) is very important when working your way up for master's and hence, studying hard, especially for the initial years is vital. “Working part-time for at least a year will help you improve your communication skills in the Japanese language, especially keigo (literally "respectful language"), which can be really hard”, she explains indicating the importance of both academics and extracurriculars to amplify chances of getting into a good university.
Additionally, she encourages the current students to get assistance from the Ritsumeikan’s faculty, by contacting their professors who can in turn connect them to their future supervisors in other Japanese universities. “Use your resources at Ritsumeikan properly”, she asserts.
During her second year at Kyoto University, Gabi began her job hunting in Japan. She landed her first internship through her research supervisor that gave her a good idea on the working prospects in Japan. “Japanese companies do not look for skills, they teach you after you join”, Gabi points out, therefore the key is to “critically choose the personality traits that fit your dream job when applying.” To do that requires some self-reflection; Gabi’s mantra is to start early and take almost 4-6 months in deciding your preferred companies that can match your interests.
Since soft skills tend to be the key drivers in determining your job application, Gabi emphasizes that communication skills in Japanese are essential, while English skills give a cutting edge to international students. All these things make a lot of sense, since all these aspects have paved her way into getting a job at a trading company in Tokyo today.
In an almost a 45-minute-long conversation, Gabi throws light on many minute details which, I believe, we may miss in all the stress and chaos of the application process. A good GPA score with a reputed background of Ritsumeikan and Kyoto University, proficient Japanese communication skills along with her active zeal of just going for it has helped Gabi to be where she is today. “If you want to learn and explore more about yourself, you should work in Japan,” she mentions. With that thought in mind, I wish her the best for her journey where she continues to grow and explore new adventures in life.
Ritsumeikan is proud of her, all the best for future endeavors, Gabi!
Sakshi
If you are still interested in knowing all the details, then I recommend you watch the whole interview by clicking on the video below!