Questions about the job!

What are your reasons for applying for a job at the company?

　Since I had always wanted to work in the pharmaceutical industry, which contributes a lot to society, and since I thought that working in sales by which I can meet a lot of various people is suitable for me, I went job hunting with the aim of becoming an MR (Medical Representative = a person in charge of medical information) that belongs to the sales department of a pharmaceutical company. As I intuitively felt that the unique corporate culture that I sensed during the explanation meeting and the interview was suitable for me, I decided to work for NIPPON SHINYAKU CO., LTD from among the many pharmaceutical companies. Another thing that appealed to me was the fact that they have consistently released new exclusive medicines with a high degree of specialization one after another in recent years.

What are the contents of your job?

　The job of an MR is to provide information of the effects and side effects of medicine, drugs, etc., for the appropriate use/spread of such pharmaceutical products to medical personnel like doctors, pharmacists, etc. In order for our pharmaceutical products to be selected as the optimal prescribed drugs to treat patients, I visit approximately 10 medical institutions per day and provide information about our pharmaceutical products. At present, I’m in charge of some clinics in Setagaya, and I work hard every day visiting them to propose the latest information and treatment methods aiming at becoming their trustworthy partner for pharmacotherapy.

What are the appeals of your job?

　As an MR, by introducing good pharmaceutical products to medical personnel, I can be proud of working with the feeling that I am contributing to people’s health. For that purpose, expertise is always demanded, and study related to rapidly-advancing medical treatments is also required. While I sometimes have a hard time, I feel very happy when I hear from doctors that our pharmaceutical products have been very useful for the recovery of their patients. I believe the job of an MR is worth doing and by which I can expect my personal growth.

What was the moment you thought that you could make use of your studies in the Faculty of Societal Safety Sciences?

　Medicines have desired effects as well as side effects, i.e., effects that were not originally expected. Some of the side effects may be extremely severe in that people might lose their lives. The lecture “Medicine is a Risk” that I heard in the Faculty of Societal Safety Sciences shows this in a straightforward manner. I learned that to make people understand our pharmaceutical products and in order to get the best results, I need to provide accurate information about using them safely and securely. I always keep in mind the fact that thorough communication regarding the desired effects/side effects of pharmaceutical products is the mission of those who deal with medicine.
　Additionally, other than conducting risk management that uses the PDCA (plan-do-check-act) cycle every month, my company performs training for traffic accident prevention, traffic safety, traffic compliance, etc. Although I’ve heard these words many times during my university days, I realized that they are deeply related to our daily duties. I really appreciate the fact that I could broadly and deeply learn everything essential to be a contributing member of society.

What did you work hard for during your university days?

　I fully enjoyed the things that I could only do in my university days. Having lectures in the university and being engaged in seminar activities, circle activities and part-time jobs－all these things can be done only while you are students. I used to travel a lot by utilizing long vacations such as summer vacations, etc. I lived a busy life so as not to waste the limited time of 4 years.
　While there are various things that I worked on, above all, I focused on the seminar activities. I used to belong to the seminar of Professor Kenji Koshiyama who specializes in Urban Design for Disaster Mitigation/Disaster Recovery Planning. I had excellent experiences unique to the Faculty of Societal Safety Sciences, such as hearing surveys/interviews for disaster area inspections and the graduation research with my seminar colleagues. The times when my seminar colleagues and I encouraged each other when our graduation researches did not go well have now become my most treasured memories.

What are the characteristics of the Faculty of Societal Safety Sciences?

　The Faculty of Societal Safety Sciences is a faculty where both arts and sciences are integrated, a faculty in which you can learn so many fields of study. As you can study deeply by having a broad range of lectures and then specializing in the field that you are interested in from such fields, I believe that this faculty is suitable for those who have not clearly found what they want to do. Although I belonged to the seminar that specializes in Urban Design for Disaster Mitigation/Disaster Recovery Planning when I was in my 3rd year, I was not so interested in Urban Design for Disaster Mitigation when I had just entered the university. By listening to the lectures of the professional teachers of various fields, I became able to find the theme I really wanted to study.
　While the Senriyama Campus has 10 faculties where there are a lot of students, the Takatsuki Muse Campus only has the Faculty of Societal Safety Sciences. Because of this, not only between you as students, but you can also have close relationships with teachers. We used to constantly visit our professor’s office when we had questions. I think you can obtain something in the Muse Campus that you cannot obtain in the Senriyama Campus.

Lastly, please leave a message for the entrance examinees of our university/the current students!!

　In the Faculty of Societal Safety Sciences, as you approach the problems of “safety and security” from different angles, you can obtain a broad and flexible way of thinking, which you cannot do in other universities or faculties. Discussions with the students of other seminars were also exciting as different seminars have different approaches to different problems. Additionally, all the teachers enthusiastically answer your questions without concerning themselves as to which seminar you belong to. Please try proactively talking to your teachers.
　Please also try various things during your university days. For example, I recommend that you try everything such as attending recruitment seminars, internships, alumni visits, etc., which are all activities related to job hunting. As I was interested in advertising and food companies, I applied for internships with them. However, I discovered that such companies were not suitable for me after participating in such internships. Seeing is believing. I believe that my attitude of wanting to try everything at least once has led to the finding of my goal that I want to work in the pharmaceutical industry.
　The Faculty of Societal Safety Sciences has an excellent environment where you can expect to grow. By making full use of it, please have a satisfying university life that you can only experience now.