I currently work for the R&D Strategy Department of a Japanese beauty & cosmetics company. We analyze the environment of our industry from various angles and develop business strategies that will allow us to effectively compete in the market. We then reflect on those strategies and envision the products and services that will best realize the proposed strategies. Eventually, we decide which technologies, capabilities, and projects are necessary for the realization of the strategic directions as well as technologies & capabilities that can open new doors and future opportunities to invest our resources in.

I have worked in the pharmaceutical industry, the biotech industry, the beauty industry, the hospitality industry, academia, and more. I even tried professional MMA fighting and had a disastrous attempt at a modeling career. Every job I did led me to learn something new either about the profession’s industry or about myself.

It was an eye opening experience. Other than the well designed and balanced curriculum, I had the chance to discuss many topics that are either not openly discussed in the mainstream or usually discussed within normalized groups of people with similar thought and conduct. Listening to diverse opinions and discussing different topics allowed me to have a wider perspective and become significantly more aware of my own biases as well those of others.

The individual project* was the culmination of my MBA experience.

I had to combine many bits and pieces of the knowledge I gained over the past 2 years and implement it practically. I remember having to go back to the Strategy course, Business Planning course, Business Policy, Digital Transformation, and many other courses in order to come up with a comprehensive plan.

Now, being in the Strategy department, I am picking bits and pieces from my Individual Project and trying to implement them slowly over time. I know the essence of my proposal is the right way to go, and I will continue to push it forward.

*At the start of the second year of Shizenkan’s MBA program, students are divided into seminars of five to six students; over eight months of seminar activities, they make an individual project with presentation and a concept paper on what challenges they will tackle as future leaders for the culmination of their two years of studies.

Leadership is an everyday conduct, starting from leading yourself, your close ones, and then the society and environment around you. Although I have always longed to become a leader, after graduation I realized that leadership is a great burden. So I decided that before I try to lead others I must lead myself and be sure that I am going the right way. 

Every single person at Shizenkan has something to teach you, so take on that opportunity while you can. And you will make forever lasting friends.

All the topics you will learn are deep and varied, and in order to most effectively acquire the knowledge you came to learn, you must be proactive and always dig deeper on your own.