Hello! My name is Yuko, and I am from Kobe, Japan. I was born and raised in Kobe and stayed there through college. I majored in foreign languages (Italian) and learned not only about languages but also about cultures, which made me realize that I wanted to work globally. I took a year off from college and spent about six months in Italy, attending a local language school in Rome. I knew I wanted to work on a global scale since high school and chose Italy because I was motivated to learn something new. Going to Italy and making friends from all over the world gave me many different perspectives, and I realized that Japan also has a unique culture.

Since my current job requires proficiency in both English and Japanese, I cannot speak Italian as fluently anymore. My previous job was in overseas sales at a steel manufacturer for seven years in Japan, which is incredibly different from my current work at BD Japan. BD Japan has a lot of global talent compared to my previous job.

My goal during college was to study abroad in Italy and Europe. For three years, I worked four different part-time jobs at cram schools, cinemas, Kaldi, and as a private tutor. Once I had saved enough money, I took a break from university to go to Italy for six months. I researched language schools I was interested in and traveled around Europe using LCC flights, much like a backpacker. Unlike most university students, I did not participate in any clubs, instead focusing on earning money to spend a year in Italy. I believe my study abroad experience really defined my university life, providing both fun and valuable learning opportunities.

Career Advice for Job Hunters

My advice is to take everything as a learning experience. There are no 100% good or bad companies. During my time at my previous job and at BD Japan, there have been aspects I love and others I don’t relate to in both companies. When job hunting, it's crucial to be open to learning and adapting.

Finding the Right Company

I used Mainabi and Rikunabi, the most common job hunting websites. I sent out my resume to every company that matched my criteria. My most important conditions were the desire to work globally and to help manufacture something.

It’s common for companies to hire new graduates as generalists, without specifying the department they will work in. Because I wanted to ensure I would work globally, I applied to companies that were recruiting for specific positions. At my first company, I was hired as an “Overseas Sales Position,” where I facilitated sales to companies abroad. Although the company did not have as many global talents as BD Japan, I was drawn to their vision for overseas expansion.

As a newly graduate, it's normal not to have all the beneficial skills you might need, so I believe that growth on the job is just as important. When I started my first job, I lacked these skills because my major was Italian and I had no prior experience. I had to learn on the job, which was challenging and sometimes overwhelming. There were times when, despite my best efforts, I couldn't finish my work and ended up crying. However, these difficulties made me very persistent and resilient to stress. Looking back, I realize that these experiences helped me grow tremendously and equipped me with the skills necessary for success in the Japanese work environment.

As a Key Account Manager and Team Leader in the PS Division of BD Japan, my job involves selling pre-filled syringes to pharmaceutical companies. Pre-filled syringes are syringes that already contain medicine, such as vaccines or hormones. The PS Division at BD Japan is unique compared to other medical companies. While most companies go directly to medical institutions, our division works directly with pharmaceutical companies.

This job is not simple because the medicine our clients produce and our syringes must be compatible, which can take up to 10 years to develop. It's crucial for us to reach out to researchers at pharmaceutical companies early in the process and develop the product together.

In addition to being a Key Account Manager, I also serve as the Team Leader of the PS Division. This position is one step below Manager. Although I do not have any subordinates, my role is to set an example for others in my department.

One of the challenges of my work is managing the dilemma of prioritizing international cooperation. While my customers are Japanese, BD Japan has many large deals with overseas customers. As a result, some internal decision-making prioritizes these overseas customers, which can lead to my clients being overlooked. This is a common dilemma for many foreign-invested companies, as balancing priorities can be difficult. Even though my clients are very important to me, the contrasting company decisions can sometimes create a complicated situation.

Why did you choose BD JAPAN?

I decided to look for a new job when I started to feel like there wasn't much more I could learn from my previous job. At my previous job, I worked incredibly hard, but I felt that there was a limit to my growth by just working hard. I wanted to reach my potential and grow more. BD Japan was recommended to me through a recruitment company because it matched my interests. I actually chose BD Japan without applying to or interviewing with any other companies. I think this is because BD Japan really met my needs perfectly.

BD JAPAN’s Working Environment

Coming from a job with no diversity, BD Japan has been a refreshing change for me. The company embraces diversity, with many women actively working and holding managerial and directorial positions. While it may not have as much cultural diversity as some international companies, BD Japan still boasts a significant number of international staff. It offers a blend of global and Japanese work culture, maintaining a distinct "Japanese-ness." The organizational structure is open and flat, valuing skills and performance over age, leading to instances where managers have older subordinates. BD Japan also promotes work-life balance, with clubs for activities like saunas and golf. While there aren't events like Christmas or Halloween parties, the Fukushima factory fosters a friendly atmosphere with barbecues.

Who is a fit for BD JAPAN?

Those who fit into the company:

BD Japan offers a wide range of opportunities, making it a great environment for those who are clear about what they want to challenge themselves with. The clearer you can voice your ideas, the better. BD Japan has a very supportive environment for pursuing your career. You can express yourself regularly by writing in Workday (ATS) and during 1-on-1 meetings with your supervisor and HR. Your ideas are shared with HR and globally, so when an opportunity arises that you have shown interest in before, they will introduce it to you. I was also able to pursue my own project this way. While I'm not sure how much career development you can achieve with a long-term internship, I recommend staying assertive and open to new opportunities.

Those who do not fit the company:

I do not recommend BD Japan to those who only do what they are told. BD Japan is better suited for those who can voice their opinions and have the passion to actively pursue and achieve something. If you only think about ideas without expressing yourself, you will miss out on the opportunities BD Japan could have provided. My previous job did not have a system for actively hearing employees' voices. However, since BD Japan has such systems in place, you should take advantage of them. Stay autonomous because your career development is in your own hands.