Not Only Engineer, But Also Businessman Thanks to MBA

May 27, 2020

From the Japanese car industry to an MBA in Vienna

Can you, please, share with us your career development until now? What stages in your life have had the greatest impact on you and why?

The greatest impact in my career was brought at the time when I moved into France for my master degree on science. It was the first foreign country I have ever visited and even lived. I do remember many of good experiences but also tough challenges that I went through during that period. However when I look back, these experiences helped me much in both my personal and professional growth.

Did you originally want to pursue a different career? If so, what made you change your plans?

No. My career wish was always to work in the automotive industry as an engineer. I was somewhat interested in mobilities since when I was little. One unexpected thing was the location where I work. I could imagine myself working in Japan, but I could only dream myself working abroad. After MBA, I want to pursue my career not only pure engineer perspective but also business perspective.

What was your biggest professional/personal success?

My personal biggest success was to have completed a sailing training to be a skipper. The time I spent with other crews were spectacular. I want to have trainings further, and eventually travel around the world with a sailing boat. I hope it will be the new biggest personal success.

What was your biggest challenge? What was your biggest professional mistake (from which you learned a lot)?

My biggest challenge was when I worked as a team leader in an urgent project. The project was mainly challenging due to technical difficulties and time pressure. I certainly spent hard time through the project. When I look back now, I was also sometimes rough edged in team communication due to the pressured situation, which I think I wasn’t handling well. However even this circumstance I received the great motivation and support from the team, and this rolled the project forward. I leant much about team work, and trusts built based on heart-to-heart communication.

Which 3 most important experiences in your life have led you to where you are right now?

First to come is my travel experiences. They are sometimes hearty, sometimes adventurous. The most valuable thing was to experience something different from my own world. Second is the passion spent for my hobbies. I have tried several hobbies all apart from my professional topic such as yoga practice, saxophone playing, sailing training. I usually continue any activities more than 3 years to get to know the essence of them. Third, yet very important, is the decision I made to leave Japan and fly to France for my study. This led me to a new stage and a challenge that I had been looking for.

When you think of the most talented high potential in your company, what 3 pieces of advice would you give him to live a successful and fulfilling life?

I should admit I may not be in a suitable position to advise people while I strongly believe I have a lot to learn and experience more. But speaking based on my experience that I could share, I have the following three.

• First is to give always the best of what you can. I have often tried to give my best. I leant the best experience comes when I do my best, and it sounds simple yet it is hard to truly commit.

• Second is to be always honest. I started to realize being honest is good for myself, but also one of best ways to be respectful for others. It seems to work generally every circumstance.

• Third is to keep the balance between work and private. This works best to keep my health in mind, but also creates opportunities that I can spend my energy on hobbies or friends, family, …etc.

Using just 5 words, how would your team describe you as a leader?

Responsible, Respectful, Passionate, Balanced, Patient

What has changed in your career because of your MBA degree? How did the program support you in reaching your career goals? What concrete career opportunities have opened up for you?

It doesn’t appear as a significant change in my personal career since I am still on the half way of my MBA journey. However I am truly grateful for the given opportunities that I meet many different professionals and directly share thoughts as well as learn from them, which I expected almost none before my MBA journey.

As far as the workload is concerned, how did you manage an MBA next to a demanding job and your family life?

I changed my attitude in planning. I became more selective and prioritize things that would be in my schedule. I start to believe this is a good exercise for my professional career.

What do you consider a “great luxury”?

Great luxury is the time when I can fully concentrate and dedicate to my things without noise. The things can be anything such as hobbies, even work.

What was the last book/movie you really enjoyed?

I enjoyed watching documentary from BBC, planet earth series. This documentary shows nature and animals on earth, which motivated me to go again adventurous. At the moment I am occupied by my MBA study, but after this, I will definitely go travel again.

If you could change places with anyone for a day, who would it be?

To be honest I cannot name anyone. I have never thought of this. At least I sometimes reflect myself to people who have achieved or contributed whatever things are with their passion. They do not necessarily belong to famous stories or certain people, but in general.