Internships offer students a unique opportunity to gain practical experience in their chosen field and immerse themselves in a country’s distinctive culture, all before entering the competitive job market. Unlike part-time work, which primarily focuses on earning income, internships often prioritize skill development and career advancement, even if they are unpaid. The experience gained is invaluable for future career prospects.
Why did I choose an internship in Japan?
In Science Tokyo, students can choose to do an internship in any country that they want. Some of my friends here have done internships in Germany, the US, Thailand, Indonesia, etc. For me, I chose Japan because I am fascinated by its unique work culture. Having heard so much about the distinct business practices and etiquette from friends who work in Japan, I knew that I should not miss this opportunity while I am here!
Thailand’s Infrastructure Investments and Japan’s Expertise
Moreover, my home country, Thailand, is currently investing heavily in port and airport infrastructure. This strategic move aims to solidify Thailand’s position as a regional hub for tourism, trade, and logistics. Numerous projects, including international airport expansions, the development of new regional airports, and port expansions, are underway. Japan, renowned for its world-class and highly developed network of ports, airports, and supporting infrastructure, plays a crucial role in both economic success and global connectivity. This reputation made my internship experience even more meaningful.
My Experience at PARI
Last winter, I had the incredible opportunity to intern at the National Institute of Maritime, Port and Aviation Technology – specifically, the Port and Airport Research Institute (PARI). This prestigious institute is highly regarded for its research, surveys, and technological development related to ports, airports, waterways, and coastlines. This was a perfect fit for my interests and career goals. I’m eager to share more about my experiences and the valuable lessons I learned during my time at PARI in future posts.
During my internship, I had the valuable opportunity to learn about and contribute to an experiment on extending a flood barrier wall. This experience allowed me to delve deeper into the background, research process, new experiments, and new programs, expanding my research horizons and perfectly aligning with my academic interests. My first port inspection was also inspiring and broadened my perspective, bringing the civil engineering concepts I learned in graduate school to life. I believe the knowledge I gained during the internship will be invaluable in the future. With numerous projects on the horizon, I am confident that research in this field will be crucial for both maintenance and expansion. The most impactful aspect of this experience was undoubtedly learning from the exceptional expertise of the researchers and technicians involved in real-world projects.
For me, the most valuable outcome of this internship was not only acquiring knowledge but also cultivating valuable insight about Japanese work culture and relationships with experts in the field.
Moreover, this internship significantly clarified my future career goals. I have previously interned at various organizations, including public, private, and public-private partnerships. However, this was my first experience at a research institute. This internship has instilled in me a profound understanding of what truly motivates me: waking up each morning eager to engage in work that I find fulfilling and intellectually stimulating. I believe that this realization is paramount for my future career success.
Learning about the organizational culture and interacting with the incredible staff from different departments was also a valuable experience. Observing the coordination between each department demonstrated to me that no one works in isolation. Every member of the office plays a crucial role in the organization’s success and the successful completion of projects. Sometimes, people in the department have lunch at the meeting table together to share and talk about their recent lives. The office also has a table tennis room, which people from different departments use together during lunch break. I was also impressed by the meticulous planning in every area of the office, from the layout of each building to the organization of tools and equipment. This attention to detail contributed to a highly organized, efficient and friendly work environment. It made me feel safe and at home.
Finally, I was deeply impressed by the facilities and services provided to employees at PARI, which reflected a genuine concern for employee well-being. This included providing accommodation at the beginning of my internship, which significantly helped me adjust to the new environment, for which I am truly grateful.
Tips for the internship
I learned several things during the internship, some of which might be useful tips for any future interns. First, do not hesitate to ask questions, take photos, or record videos of any new processes you learn during the internship. However, please refrain from posting them on social media to respect company and colleague privacy. Do not forget to ask for permission every time when taking a photo. After completing each task, write a short note about what you did. Documenting the machine training or program simulation is crucial, as it enhances the accuracy and speed of future experiments. Additionally, you or your colleague may sometimes forget the details of a previous experiment. These notes are invaluable for reminding everyone of the work that we have done together. Most importantly, no one is perfect. Mistakes can happen during experiments, but we learn from them to improve our work and become better.
Reflection
To be honest, due to differences in the job-hunting process in each country, I am uncertain about what kind of job I will get after I graduate. However, having this incredible opportunity to intern at PARI, one of the best research institutes in Japan, was an invaluable and enriching experience that I will cherish.
