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Empowering Future Careers Through Technology

In February 2025, Technos College, a comprehensive educational institution located in Koganei, Tokyo, partnered with Asahi Shimbun Publications' weekly magazine, AERA, to host a unique special class at Higashi Kurume High School in Tokyo. This event, themed "Building Your Unique Career in an Era of Technological Evolution," aimed to explore the impact of digital technology on career choices and opportunities for high school students.

The importance of technology in education has grown exponentially, especially as it plays a key role in solving societal challenges. Recognizing this shift, experts in IT, along with faculty and students from Technos College, engaged high schoolers in thought-provoking discussions. The session began with a panel featuring Keiko Kimura, editor-in-chief of AERA, Atsushi Sannai, Chief AI Education Officer of Life is Tech Inc., and educators and students from Technos College. The panel delved into the potential futures shaped by technological advancements.

In the second half, students participated in an interactive program aligned with Technos College's unique career guidance method, “Post-Graduation Vision.” They were encouraged to envision their ideal selves five years post-graduation, allowing them to reflect on their passions and interests in the context of an evolving future. This exercise underscored the importance of projecting personal interests onto future societal landscapes, enabling students to create a future they are excited about.

The special class not only offered high school students an opportunity to imagine their future in a tech-driven world but also served as a stimulating experience for Technos College's faculty and students who supported them. Moving forward, Technos College plans to continue collaborating with various organizations and high schools to foster curricula that promote self-directed career choices for young learners.

Background of the Event

At Technos College, a key focus is facilitating students' ability to envision their post-graduation lives. This concept, referred to as the “Post-Graduation Vision,” emphasizes identifying strengths and interests, enabling students to approximate changes in the job market and societal demands five years ahead. This progressive approach integrates IT literacy into the curriculum, reflecting its critical nature across all fields of study, not just IT.

In conjunction with Higashi Kurume High School’s educational philosophy centered on crafting an identity by the age of 25, Technos College’s approach resonates well with the institution's goals. This collaboration was further supported by Benesse Group's Shin-Ken Ad and Benesse Corporation.

Special Class Details

• - Date: February 12, 2025
• - Location: Higashi Kurume High School, Tokyo
• - Speakers:

- Keiko Kimura (Editor-in-Chief of AERA at the time)
- Atsushi Sannai (Chief AI Education Officer of Life is Tech Inc.)
- Technos College faculty members from Entertainment, Creative, Child, Sports, and Education areas
- Second-year student Nami Tsushida from Technos College's Information Systems Department

Atsushi Sannai presented insights about the anticipated technological evolution and the accompanying shift in societal values. He emphasized the need for future professionals to set their own challenges, utilize technology effectively, and take actions beneficial to society—key traits for aspiring digital innovators.

Interactive Group Work

During the latter part of the session, Technos College students joined the high school students for group activities, guided by their own “Post-Graduation Vision” experiences. Together, they discussed their interests and passions while exploring the future society shaped by technology. This collaborative effort culminated in selected students presenting their “MY VISION” projects, fostering mutual inspiration among participants as they contemplated their futures together.

The special class highlighted the vitality of education that adapts to the rapid pace of technological advancement while cultivating self-directed career planning.

About Technos College

Founded in 1959 as Japan's first television vocational school, Technos College has evolved to incorporate various areas of study including entertainment, creative industries, and engineering, as well as foreign language and tourism studies. The institution emphasizes experiential learning through collaboration across disciplines and global exchanges, setting students up for versatile career paths.

For more information about Technos College or upcoming open campus events, visit Technos College.