Is that so? I'd like to hear more about it.

So you changed jobs and became an editor.

I think it takes a lot of courage to step out of a comfortable and stable place of work. Is there any secret to moving on to a new environment without regrets?

I sometimes find the task of re-reading and revising the manuscripts I have written to be a lonely and difficult one. What do you find joy and motivation in your work?

Even though I thought I knew a lot about the clubs and circles at our university through my work on the Newspaper Editorial Committee, I still discovered new things and was often surprised when I actually covered them. These discoveries are the moments I enjoy the most.

I still remember that when I was in high school and I first became interested in literature, I picked up a university guide for Aogaku University and it said, "Reading literature means reading the era, and knowing people's lives objectively will definitely be useful in your life later on." I resonated with these words and thought they would help me in any job, so I joined the Nagato Takeshi Seminar (commonly known as the Dazai Mishima Seminar) to study modern literature at university. In the seminar, I focused on author theory, researching questions such as "Why did this author write this work in this era?"

Through my studies in the seminar, I feel that a switch was created in my thinking to consider things from multiple perspectives, that is, "This is what I think now, but people with different historical backgrounds, positions, and attributes may not think the same." This way of thinking has always been important to me, whether I'm interviewing or writing articles. The tagline for "University Rankings" is "Let's look at universities from various angles," and it is based on this idea.

Currently, I am in charge of the "desk" Position, which involves compiling manuscripts written by editorial staff, and here too, a multifaceted perspective is required. Since the way information is presented varies depending on the personality of each writer, manuscripts can sometimes end up in a completely different direction than what we had imagined. However, there is no "right answer." In overseeing editing, I try not to push my own policies too hard, but to learn from others' perspectives with an open mind so that I can create something good.

That sounds like an interesting seminar! When I was in high school, there was no one around me who shared my love of literature, so after entering university, I really enjoyed meeting and talking with friends who shared my interest in "books" but had a slightly different perspective than me. During university, you can spend a very intense time concentrating on what you love. I envy Takagaki-san and Yamabe-san, who are enjoying that time now.

I was a member of the university's official "Silny Ski Enthusiasts Club" and was serious about skiing. I had always been an indoor person in the humanities, so I decided to try sports at university. People who may not have met in classes at each faculty gathered together, discussed things, and managed a club while maintaining a balance. Through club activities, I experienced a new sociality for the first time that I had not had in my previous friendships. Even after graduating from university, I feel that this experience has been very useful in a company where people with various values are present.

I have the opportunity to visit many universities now, and I feel that the location and campus environment have a big impact on students. I spent the first two years at the Atsugi campus (which existed at the time), and the third and fourth years at the Aoyama campus. There weren't many shops around the Atsugi campus, so I spent all my time with my friends on the campus lawn or in the cafeteria between lectures, and naturally made more friends. On the other hand, Aoyama campus is located in Sibuya / Aoyama area, a center of culture and information, so I think I naturally became sensitive to trends just by commuting to school. I think the general public has the image that "Aogaku" is "fashionable," but I feel that people grow closer to that image as they become more aware of the environment they are in and the expectations and evaluations of those around them.
Ever since I was a student, I have had the impression that Aogaku was a diverse, globally open university. There were strong cross-departmental connections across departments, and the environment was bright and open. I think that learning in such an environment has also given me the ability to see things from various angles. That's another thing I like about Aogaku.

Universities are extremely important as a place where students can develop the skills they will need when they enter society. I believe it is no exaggeration to say that "if universities change, the world will change." I would be happy if I could help bring about change in society by widely communicating the appeal of universities, which is difficult to see from the outside.

It's natural to want to present yourself in a good light if you want to be hired. Everyone has their own feelings about "how I want to be" and "how I want to be evaluated," and I think that in itself is a part of that person's personality. So you can rest assured that the "image of the person I want to be" that Takagaki-san wrote after giving it so much thought is exactly Takagaki-san himself. It would be a good idea to read it over from time to time and keep it in mind at all times. By doing so, you will gradually become the person you are.

I was anxious every time I changed jobs, and even now I'm always anxious, wondering, "Will I be able to meet the deadline?" or "Is this editorial policy okay?" (laughs). Even just uploading one article to a website makes me very nervous and takes courage. You can't afford to make a mistake, and these days there's a risk of something going viral. But it's important to always be cautious when sharing information, and even if you've built up a career, you shouldn't forget to feel anxious - in fact, I think it's important.

We may feel down from the various things we face every day, but it is at times like these that it is effective to change the angle of your thinking. For example, when someone shows you unreasonable anger, try to think objectively, "Why is this person so angry? Let's try to think from the other person's point of view to see what the cause is," and this can help you get out of the confused state of "What should I do?"

First of all, think about what you really love. By thinking about what kind of work would suit you and help you realize what you love, you will be able to see the path you should take.

When I was a student, I also worried a lot about my future, and my job hunting didn't go as I had hoped. When I first became a freelancer, I struggled to find work, but at the time, I was cheerful and positive. The important thing is not to give up and not to be negative. Instead of thinking, "This isn't for me," I would change my mindset and think, "Maybe the timing wasn't good," or, "Maybe I'm not compatible with this company."

In my case, my main focus was "editing work," but sometimes you can find a way by coming up with a creative approach without changing the focus of what you want to do. Look closely at what you like and keep a positive mind that won't give in to failure.