| COUNTRY |
| India |
| EDUCATION |
| Bachelor in Civil Engineering, Savitribai Phule Pune University |
| COMPANY |
| Japan-based company that provides civil engineering and construction services domestically and internationally |
| SUMMARY |
| The aspiring civil engineer traces his passion back to childhood curiosity, strengthened by his father’s encouragement and later transformed by discovering Professor Ishikawa, whose quality‑management philosophies revealed the depth of Japanese engineering. Inspired by Ishikawa’s influence on structures like the Tokyo Tower and Mishima Skywalk, he pursued Japan for its advanced civil engineering culture, ultimately studying Japanese, joining Hirameki classes, and securing a dream job through FAST OFFER International. |
Civil Engineering Has Fascinated Me Since Childhood
Whenever we travelled during my childhood, I would observe all the construction properties we’d encounter. I gawked at bridges, roads, buildings, and other huge structures. These got me interested in how construction activities work. I wondered about how much labor it takes to build these, and what a contractor’s role was in these projects. Eventually, through my civil engineer uncle, I learned the answer.
My father is a farmer with an Electronics and Telecommunications degree who shared my fascination with civil engineering marvels. We were both enamored by my uncle’s stories about Civil engineering. My father, who thinks a career change is out of the picture for himself, encouraged me to pursue the dream for both of us. So, I was happy to pursue a Civil Engineering diploma, then a bachelor’s degree.
Professor Kaoru Ishikawa: How One Man Revolutionized Civil Engineering
In my final year in college, I gained practical civil engineering experience that affirmed my desire to work in this industry. In my Program Management course, I chanced upon a professor long before my time who changed the industry: Kaoru Ishikawa.
Professor Kaoru Ishikawa pioneered quality management tools, expounded on quality circle tools, and even created the Ishikawa diagram that’s now used worldwide in analyzing industrial processes. He was key to the shift in perception of Japanese companies as producers of the highest calibre. He piqued my interest so much that I decided to do research on him and Japanese Civil Engineering.
I fell into a rabbit hole! It was amazing how Kaoru Ishikawa’s tenets shaped a lot of Japan’s industries in the present day.
I realized that the Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree were all part of a bigger picture. These modern spectacles were born of a culture shaped by systematic quality control. My favorite of all, the Mishima Skywalk, the longest suspension footbridge in Japan, designed to give pedestrians a panoramic view of Mt. Fuji and Suruga bay, is an engineering feat made possible by such a culture. All in all, this put Japan’s civil engineering industry was on a different level.
I realized that many of these advancements, and plenty of the norms in Japan, cannot be found in India. This difference meant that there was so much more to learn in Japan. Because I wanted to see how these civil engineering concepts worked in real life, and not just theoretically, I decided that Japan was the place to be when it came to developing as a Civil Engineer.
Starting on My Journey to Japan On My Own
Once I decided that I wanted to build a career in Japan, I started looking into its culture. I watched YouTube videos about various facets of Japan, and got to learn about its culture and traditions. Then, I attempted to learn the language, initially through Duolingo. Unfortunately, after three months of study, my only substantial learnings were the words mizu (water), gohan (rice), and isha(doctor). I felt that I needed to switch things up if I wanted to improve fast.
ASIA to JAPAN’s Hirameki Japanese Classes Was The Boost I Needed
That is when a close friend of mine introduced the ASIA to JAPAN’s Hirameki classes to me in Pune. Seeing them getting placed made me happy and inspired me to give the program a try as well. I was given the program link and QR code and sent an application. After months of waiting, I got selected! During the waiting period, I had been receiving job offers from different companies in India. I remained unfazed, serious about pursuing a role in Japan, so I declined all of them! Instead, I put all my eggs in one basket and began the four-month intensive Japanese course with Hirameki. I even moved away from home to live in a nearby dorm to concentrate on my studies.
Learning Japanese – Immersion is Key!
Having lived in the countryside all my life, moving to the city to study Japanese was a new experience for me. However, it was enjoyable as I got to learn at the pace I wanted. I also got to make friends who shared my passion. Plus, the teachers were very good!
Though I started from scratch, I was able to build my skills slowly but surely. Starting with Japanese characters first, I then tackled the books. Then, I engaged in listening practice through YouTube and class modules. Then I doubled down on speaking practice through kaiwa “Japanese conversations” with my friends.
It was difficult to talk in Japanese at first, so to build immersion, my friends and I made it a point to practice speaking in Japanese daily. The topics we studied in the classroom would be brought outside through our simple conversations. As we talked in Japanese, we felt our skills improve. Back then, we used mainly Japanese in conversations, and up to now, this remains unchanged.
How I Became Fluent in Japanese in Just Four Months
- Get Expert Help
- I signed up for ASIA to JAPAN’s Hirameki 4-Month Intensive Japanese Classes. Expert teachers guided my journey efficiently and effectively.
- Practice with Friends
- The most important skill that would help you get a job in Japan is your ability to carry on a Japanese conversation. This directly translates to how you’ll handle Japanese job interviews. The only way to get better is to practice! My friends and I agreed to only talk in Japanese.
- My Number 1 Tip for Learning: Move Closer To Where You Want to Learn
- I temporarily moved closer to the school. In the same way, I succeeded with my university studies; being just a few minutes away from my education saved me a lot of time and energy that commuting would have drained away from me. In the same way, that’s also why I want to work in Japan as a civil engineer!
The Job Placement Journey with ASIA to JAPAN’s FAST OFFER International program
Because Hirameki is connected to FAST OFFER International—ASIA to JAPAN’s program arm that helps with the job hunting—the transition from Japanese learner to job hunter was pretty smooth.
After passing the classes, FAST OFFER staff interviewed us to determine our readiness for the job hunt. Through mock interviews (mendan) and coaching sessions, we were able to develop our skills. Soon, we were ready to start applying to different companies. I got a B for my mendan, which was relatively high compared to the rest. Fortunately, my friends got such grades as well!
After passing the mendan, our profile was updated in the system. We then had to wait to be selected by companies for an interview. If three or more companies chose us, we’d get to fly to Japan! Our sensei kept us hopeful yet realistic, and helped manage our expectations.
Qualifying for the Free Trip to Japan for the Japanese Job Interviews
Fortunately, we did not wait too long before we were selected. I soon found out that I was qualified to fly to Japan! With this, my friends and I flew to Japan after receiving our visa. FAST OFFER International was incredibly helpful with the visa process.
We were touched by how friendly and helpful Japanese people were. They often offered assistance and advice in anticipation of needs. As it was the first time for many of us to fly out of the country, this was immensely helpful.
Preparing for the Japanese Job Interviews
We prepared for our interviews thoroughly before flying to Japan with the help of my FAST OFFER mentor. To prepare for interviews, the sensei talked about potential questions they would ask us, how they would ask them, and the general direction of these questions. We also used ChatGPT to generate other questions that the panel may think of. This huge pool of questions helped me formulate answers to various questions. It also enabled me to think quickly, mix and matching responses, and learning new words. I even practiced how to talk about Professor Kaoru Ishikawa being vital to my journey.
Maximizing Every Job Interview in Japan
With this technique, I was able to clear the first round of interviews from all four companies that selected me! To help me concentrate on the more important second round,w e revisited how I ranked the companies based on my interest. I dropped one company to better focus on the three left. After passing the second round for all three companies, my top two companies gave me job offers!
The Best Kind of Happiness Is The One You Share With a Community!
Passing the interviews was overwhelming for me. When my mentor told me that I got selected for two companies, one of them my priority company, the tears just fell. Just when I thought I’d reached the peak of my emotions, I also found out my friend got selected in the same company too. I burst into tears even more! I rarely cry, but I must have cried with happiness for a good 10 minutes.
My parents were the next to know via video call. My father, who did not cry for anyone, shed tears for me. I don’t easily cry, but looking back on the efforts my friends and I put in, made me gush with tears.There was relief in finally all the work paying off. We never stopped learning, practicing Japanese even just on the way to the convenience store. It was all worth it! Finally, I would be working in Japan!
This whole journey wasn’t a walk in the park. I constantly experienced new challenges. The interviews were particularly intimidating. But I steeled my mind and kept my wits about me. I focused on understanding the questions and answering them carefully. I believe it was my disciplined, consistent preparations and immersions with Hirameki, my friends, and FAST OFFER that helped me succeed. My mentors, potential employers, and my future bosses all gave me positive feedback! That’s why I truly believe that if you’re willing and determined to give it your all and you find the necessary support, anyone can achieve their goals!
Visiting My Future Company
After receiving the results, I was able to visit my future company. I was assigned a future coworker to tour me around the office to see the different departments. We even rode the metro to the office together. I remember mentioning that I wanted to see the Tokyo Tower. Then, as we exited the metro nearest the office, she told me casually, “Look back.”
There, just behind me, as seen from the station, lo and behold, stood the Tokyo Tower. My office would be just five minutes away!
I can’t wait to be a civil engineer in Japan, surrounded by inspiring infrastructure, in a workplace that embodies Kaoru Ishakawa’s teachings.
The Future that Awaits in Japan
I remember that as we were flying to Japan, my friends and I were on the lookout for Mt. Fuji. It would be the ultimate sign we’d entered Japanese airspace. We took a photo of the iconic mountain from the plane window to commemorate seeing it for the first time.
Everything that happened since that photo, though, has made something clear to me: I’m only at the foot of the mountain. There’s still so much to hike, to see, to explore, to discover, and to improve on!
I’ve achieved one goal, and I’m already excited to achieve the rest on my list! I’m looking forward to putting into practical use all my theoretical knowledge. From just reading about Professor Kaoru Ishikawa, I’m eager to see his teachings in practice. Everything I wondered about Japan, I will soon get to see and participate in for myself. I’m eager about the work and how it will all push me to grow.
Aside from my professional aspirations, I can’t wait to hop on a bike and travel all of Japan with friends. I’m so lucky that I’ll get to experience a lot of Japan with my friends! I even have one of my closest friends joining me at the same company! Perhaps we’ll go to Hokkaido first for the delicious dairy treats, then visit Shirakawa Go for the architectural marvel.
