Dinner with a Junior Aspiring for Graduate School! Aroma of Curry and Career Talks

First Meeting Face-to-Face!

Despite primarily interacting online due to the impact of COVID-19, I had the opportunity to meet a junior colleague aspiring for graduate school in person and have dinner together.

Strictly speaking, she was one of the high school students I met during my teaching practicum, and we had discussed career paths. However, this was the first time we had an in-depth conversation since she entered university.

Overcoming the difficult period of being unable to meet face-to-face, this occasion allowed us to discuss our shared experiences in high school and university. It became a starting point for contemplating our dreams and career paths.

Aroma of Curry

The place we chose to meet was a curry restaurant.

We discovered a common interest in spicy curry, which naturally sparked our conversation. I secretly felt relieved that it wasn't a bar since I don't consume much alcohol.

Meeting in person enabled us to convey emotions and expressions that are difficult to convey online, and despite being strangers, we quickly became friendly and couldn't stop talking.

As for myself, as mentioned in my self-introduction, I have experience attending graduate school. Although I specialized in Japanese literature, I felt that conventional research was challenging amidst the presence of exceptional students around me. Therefore, I conducted research on English translations of classical Japanese literature.

After graduating from graduate school, I did consider pursuing a doctoral program. However, due to the challenges of a career path as a humanities researcher and the ongoing existence of sexual harassment remarks towards female researchers in the university environment, I chose to pursue a job that would provide a stable income, which brings me to where I am now.

However, I have a passion for supporting young researchers. My husband is also a researcher, and by supporting his research activities, I believe I understand the difficulties young researchers face.

Because I couldn't become one myself, it is my goal to utilize my experience and knowledge to support future female researchers so they can thrive in a better environment.

What I Heard from her

From our conversation, I could sense her dedication and efforts in studying for graduate school entrance exams. I shared my past experiences and tried to provide her with advice and hints as much as possible.

Furthermore, discussing the current state of universities was a valuable experience. It turns out that a curry restaurant near where I used to go frequently has closed down.

Surprisingly, when I talked about the professor who made sexual harassment remarks or said that "women are not suitable for researchers," she mentioned that he has become considerably quieter, possibly due to health issues or recent news about sexual harassment problems. This is good news.

We enjoyed the conversation while reflecting on our past experiences. I felt that I could understand the feelings of elderly people who tend to go on long monologues since she, as my junior, listened to my stories.

However, individuals who have both a background in humanities graduate school and work experience are few, and I personally believe that being able to offer perspectives from both sides makes me a valuable presence for my juniors.

I want to avoid becoming a troublesome adult.

Aroma of Curry and Career Talks

The first face-to-face dinner with a junior aspiring for graduate school was a precious opportunity to share emotions and experiences that are difficult to convey online.

Through conversations at the curry restaurant, we were able to engage in interesting discussions about our shared hobbies and career paths.

I would like to believe that by sharing my past experiences and choices in career paths, I was able to provide my junior with some hints or advice.

In the future, I hope to broaden my perspective by listening to discussions about different career paths and experiences through interactions with diverse individuals.

I also want to consider how I can support these young researchers, especially female researchers, who continue to pursue their dreams. I'm ready to start taking action.