Why did you decide to participate in the JET Internship Programme?

I wanted to expand my future job opportunities beyond teaching. The internship programme offered a chance for me to see other industries and better understand what it would be like to work there, as well as bolstering my future resume.

What type of work were you expecting to do before the internship?

I was expecting to primarily observe people in the company working, with little hands-on experience. My main expectation was to learn how to work in a Japanese company and better understand a different work culture than I was used to.

What type of work did you experience during the internship?

I was able to do more work myself than I expected. At the IT company I interned at, I was able to prepare many units and try out what I was learning on test units. They also very kindly had each department explain what they did and how their department connected to all the others.

What did you get out of the programme?

I got quite a lot out of the program. The most important would have to be a roadmap of how to get into the IT industry in Japan. It gave me clarity about how to start working in Japan and what companies look for that I could not have gotten otherwise.

After participating in the internship, how do you feel about working in Japan in the future?

I am very much looking forward to it. I am currently working on obtaining certificates and qualifications that I believe will bolster my resume, and I am excited for the road ahead.

Message to JET Programme participants who might consider participating in the JET Internship Programme in the future:

I would highly recommend it. The company I interned at was wonderful and truly helped me enrich my understanding of how companies in Japan work. I think this experience is indispensable for anyone who is thinking of continuing to work in Japan after JET.