[No. 135] Maki Aoyama (née Nakamura)

I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to *Jukuin Raiou*, a relay column for graduates of the Faculty of Science and Technology. Although ten years have passed since I graduated from university in 2007, my four years at university were truly fulfilling and more intense than the ten years I have spent as a working professional. As it is unusual for a graduate of the Department of Biosciences and Informatics to work at a trading company, I would like to use my unique background as a 'woman who pursued science, then took a non-science job after graduation' to introduce how "studying at Keio's Faculty of Science and Technology holds many possibilities."

Since elementary school, I was good at math and science, which require applied skills, and conversely, I felt weak in humanities subjects that require memorization, and I grew up that way through high school. For the university entrance exams, I had no choice but to compete with my science subjects, so I was in a situation where I had to choose the Faculty of Science and Technology. My father, although from a different department, also graduated from Keio's Faculty of Science and Technology, so in retrospect, the path to Keio's Faculty of Science and Technology felt like a natural fit.

For the first three years of university, which were filled with lectures, I was devoted to getting A's on my tests (laughs) and to the club activities I will describe later. Balancing these two was quite difficult, and my days were spent on just those two things. The university lectures were very enjoyable; they taught us the fundamentals, such as how the formulas we had simply memorized were derived, which helped me understand the principles and deepen my comprehension. When I heard that my friends in the humanities were intentionally skipping classes, I wondered, "Why wouldn't you attend when the classes are so much fun?"

The reason I chose the Department of Biosciences and Informatics in my second year was that it was the closest to the field of biology, which I was interested in. What I learned in the department was broad, and I was able to study cutting-edge knowledge and technology without bias, which allowed me to narrow down my interests and decide "I want to delve deeper into research in this field."

In my fourth year, I was assigned to the Ota Laboratory and was given the important theme of a joint research project with a certain company. The year I spent in the lab was very meaningful, and I have only fond memories of spending time harmoniously with my seniors and juniors. Amidst all that, I realized that "research is a lonely battle with oneself." Unlike practical training where the outcome is predetermined, in actual research, you have to derive the results yourself, so every day was a process of trial and error, figuring out how to proceed effectively.

Although it was a club, I belonged to a cheer dance club that was as rigorous as the Athletic Association, and I continued with it from the time I entered university until I retired. I was able to keep going because the sport of cheer dance has a culture of helping one another. Balancing it with my studies was tough, but I was blessed with great members, and the days I spent with my friends were fun.

The greatest sense of accomplishment I gained from my club activities was planning and executing the club's first-ever dance performance at the Yagami Festival, held on the Yagami Campus. I wanted students of the Faculty of Science and Technology, who don't usually go to the Mita Campus, to enjoy cheer dance, so I consulted with the Yagami Festival executive committee to make it happen. I vividly remember that many people came to watch our dance that day, and the stage was incredibly lively. I am proud that this event continued in the following years.

In March, at the end of my third year, after being assigned to the lab, I seriously confronted my future for the first time. Until then, I had thought I might pursue a career as a researcher, but I came to feel that I wanted to work in an environment that required teamwork rather than continuing with research, which is an individual battle. My father, who graduated from the same university and faculty, had joined a trading company after his undergraduate studies. Coupled with my own love for overseas travel, I decided, "I will become a person working at a trading company like my father," and focused my job search solely on trading companies for the interviews starting in April.

My research theme involved culturing bacteria, and since bacteria are living organisms, they require daily management. When I couldn't be at the university due to job interviews, Professor Miyamoto would cover for me. I am truly indebted to Professor Miyamoto.

After joining the trading company, I spent eight and a half years in overseas sales of chemical products. I have been to more than ten countries, from Europe to Asia and South America. Being in a department that handles chemicals, I was able to make full use of the knowledge I gained at university and could proceed with meetings with engineers without hesitation. Also, while the trading company industry is still dominated by male salespeople, having grown up in a science-oriented environment, I blended in without difficulty. In fact, being a woman was a novelty that gave me an advantage in sales, and I handled business trips and negotiations with ease. I have now transferred to a different department and am engaged in work centered on performance management.

There have been many times in my professional life that I have felt the greatness of Keio. First, as soon as I joined the company, a networking event was held with Keio seniors, and through the "Keio" connection, I was able to get to know many employees at once, regardless of their seniority. I imagine such events are held at companies other than my own as well. Because it is a university with strong solidarity, you can build relationships where you can talk casually even with senior executives. Even with clients, once it's known that they are from Keio, the barriers that were there instantly crumble, and the pace of business negotiations accelerates in a fascinating way.

I am still in touch with Professor Ota and Professor Miyamoto, who took care of me in the lab. I have traveled to Nagasaki with my seniors and juniors to visit Professor Ota, who became the president of the University of Nagasaki, and I sometimes visit Professor Miyamoto at his home. I believe that being able to maintain these connections even after graduation is one of Keio's great strengths.

To all prospective students aiming for Keio's Faculty of Science and Technology, you have much to look forward to. We are waiting for you to join us.