Born in 1995 (Born as a Japanese resident of Korean descent.)
When I was a student, I applied for a job at a Korean company without knowing it was a Korean company.
In the final interview, almost all the other students were bilingual (+). Waseda, Keio, etc. In terms of resume, ability, and title, I was at a disadvantage in every way (lol).
In the final interview with the president, I had nothing to offer. I desperately tried to think of something fun on the spot and make everyone laugh. I was so nervous. Then, out of 500 applicants, I miraculously was the only one left after the interview.
What I felt when I started working was... looking back now, in Japanese society, since childhood, I always felt a sense of not quite fitting in. And that new environment, which seemed to say, 'Your background and education don't matter,' or rather, 'Who are you anyway?!' was incredibly comforting.
1/3 are expatriates from their home country, 1/3 are Korean residents in Japan, and 1/3 are Japanese.
Initially, in terms of ability, I couldn't speak Korean or English, and I had no work experience. I just had to do my best. The Japanese companies I was trying to sell to looked down on Korean companies from the start, and I was in a bind. Normally, when you join a company, you work under its banner. This was different. In 1995, the Korean brand's banner was still a 'shackle' (lol). It was a start from scratch, seriously. I had no choice but to rack my brain and move my body. But I enjoyed that ingenuity, looking back now.
Even within the company, the fact that 'I am a foreigner' felt comfortable for the first time was amazing. Because I was a foreigner, I felt like I had the privilege to do whatever I wanted as long as I did my job, so I really leaned into that, lol (Or maybe there's no such privilege? lol)
Despite that, I was truly cherished by everyone at the company. They even invited me to their homes. Thanks to them, I was able to give work presentations in Korean (back then, of course). (By the way, I still have friends who think of me as one of them and tease me, saying 'You're a Zainichi Japanese 재일 일본사람, aren't you?' lol) I'm truly grateful. If I hadn't had that experience, I probably wouldn't have gone to America, wouldn't have learned Italian or other languages, and I wouldn't be who I am today, I can say that much.
If you don't know what you want to do in the future, just focus on 'now.' First, lower your guard and just go for it with all your might.
And then, someday, you might suddenly wonder about your future and think, 'What have I learned up to this point?' At that time, it might be good to think, 'I learned how to find and open the next door!' Nobody knows what's beyond it, and you won't know until you open it, so there's no point in thinking about it... (I won't take responsibility though lol) But I think that's okay, I really do.
Then, boldly burst through that door. And just keep repeating that.
That's how I've been doing it and how I'll continue to do it (to be continued)