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On October 28, Tohoku University students spent the day interning at Sendai's Kirin Beer factory. The internship was the third day of a five-day program aiming to expose students to the business operations of the Kirin brewery - from production to sales - and provide them with on-site work experience.

At previous sessions, students visited the factory floor where employees introduced them to the production methods of beer. They later shifted to the administrative side of things, learning how to write press-releases to introduce the media and consumers to new products.

On this occasion, students studied the finer details and strategies of sales. This was to prepare them for the following sessions, where students will shadow sales representatives.

Yuho Mizuta, a fourth year undergraduate student, spoke of the invaluable experience. "I learned about the different aspects of selling such as retail," said Mizuta. "It is rare to get such an opportunity to go out with sales personnel."

First year student Sara Sugishita proclaimed that the internship is teaching her rewarding, informative, and practical skills that she can use in her career. "I'd never thought about the production and selling of beer before this internship, but now I have a greater understanding of the process and techniques that lie behind a successful business year at Kirin."

After a busy morning of lectures, the students embarked on a tour of the factory where they learnt more about the unique nature of Kirin beer and experienced the aromatic smell of freshly harvested hops from Iwate Prefecture.

Following the tour, students joined a marketing workshop where they brainstormed ideas on how to market Kirin's products to consumers.

"I learnt more from this opportunity than a regular part-time job and grasped aspects of the entire business cycle," said Rui Tanimoto, a second year undergraduate student. "I believe these will be important skills for me in my upcoming job hunt."

Rika To, a second year graduate student, echoed Tanimoto's feelings that the internship helps to provide more practical experience than a typical part-time job. To, who hails from China, was also excited to learn that Kirin is proactively recruiting international students. "As a foreigner in Japan, the internship gives me a great deal of confidence in the job-hunting process."

The internship extends beyond practical experience, allowing students to form personal connections and receive guidance. "I could talk to people at lunch and receive helpful advice on job hunting to ensure the jobs I pursue are the right fit for me," added To.

The internship was organized by DATEntre-Tohoku Innovation Human Resources Development Consortium. DATEntre was set up in 2017 to support international students and help them navigate Japan's unique and complicated job hiring cycle.