So Hot! Job Camp – High School Work Experience Program

Every summer, a program called Job Camp is held for students from 35 metropolitan high schools in Tokyo. It gives students the opportunity to experience real workplaces.

< Job Camp >
https://jobcamp.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/

In this program, high school students choose a company they are interested in and visit it to learn about work directly from professionals. Many career consultants participate in this initiative, supporting the students' learning. I recently took part myself, and it was truly refreshing.

The program runs in three-day cycles. On the first day, career consultants visit high schools or orientation venues to conduct a pre-visit session with the students. This includes the very basics, such as how to greet people when visiting a company, how to bow properly, and other fundamental etiquette.

Then we look at the company’s website and explore together what kind of business it is and what kind of work they do.

Things get more serious from the second day onward.
We meet the students at the nearest train station to the company and head there together. Usually, 4 or 5 students form a group, accompanied by one career consultant. If the company is larger and accepts around 10 students, then multiple consultants join the visit.

On the second day, staff members from the host company serve as instructors. They explain the company’s operations and give students a tour of the workplace.
That said, not all employees are accustomed to teaching high school students, so sometimes the explanations can be a bit awkward or disorganized.

This is where career consultants play a key role — assisting the session by asking guiding questions or encouraging students to speak, helping the visit proceed smoothly.

On the third day, students receive another lecture, but at the company I visited, the focus shifted more to hands-on work. The students worked quietly alongside adults in the workspace. They seemed to enjoy this more than sitting through lectures.

At the end of the third day, there's a reflection session. Together with the students, we reflect on what they learned and felt during their workplace experience.
The conversation can take many directions — from their future career goals to what kind of part-time job they’d like to try during summer break. Their answers were full of youthful energy and humor, making it a really enjoyable time.

After the three-day program ends, we say goodbye to the students.
Although it’s a short time, sharing such a special experience together creates a certain sense of closeness, so parting feels a bit sad. But since Job Camp happens every year, I might meet them again next summer.

While school education and vocational education have different goals and target groups, collaboration between the two is becoming increasingly important.
One aspect of being a career consultant involves playing the role of an educator. Participating in Job Camp reminded me of that once again.

As this sweltering summer continues, Job Camp will run through the end of August.
To all the high school students taking part — and to my fellow career consultants — I want to say: hang in there, and good luck!

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