Discovering Your Unique Path: Satonoba University's Career Festival in Tokyo

In an inspiring two-day event, Satonoba University organized its very first Career Festival at SHIMOKITA COLLEGE in Tokyo, welcoming around 100 participants, including high school students, parents, and educators. Held on June 14-15, 2025, this immersive experience aimed to encourage attendees to embrace their unique career paths and reflect on what “career” truly means.

The festival transformed into a lively hub of exploration where high school attendees engaged with a variety of activities geared towards self-discovery. Highlights from the event included unique self-exploration workshops devised by Satonoba University, enlightening talk sessions featuring accomplished entrepreneurs, and personalized career counseling booths.

Among the engaging sessions, a panel discussion titled “Places That Connect Education and Economy” stood out. Esteemed speakers, including Kazuma Ieiri, founder of CAMPFIRE, Ryosuke Kobayashi from SHIMOKITA COLLEGE, and Yoshitaka Nomioka, co-founder of Satonoba University, shared their experiences with creating supportive environments for learning. They emphasized the vital role such spaces play in navigating today’s fast-evolving world.

A Personal Touch: Engaging with Current Students

The festival also allowed current Satonoba students from various regional campuses across Japan to connect with high school participants. Sharing their personal journeys, these students provided insights into their unique educational experiences in places like Onagawa, Nanao, and Nishiawakura, helping younger participants understand the diversity of pathways available to them.

Many attendees expressed their appreciation for these interactions, with one high school student noting, “I was surprised to see how learning can connect with one’s own life and aspirations.” Through candid exchanges, these students opened new horizons for their junior peers, providing valuable hints and perspectives essential for making informed decisions about their futures.

Participants Share Their Insights

The diverse experiences shared during the two days invited multiple high school students to contemplate deeply what it means to choose a career and to consider their individuality:

- “This was my first experience thinking about my path based on my own wishes.”
- “Talking to students who chose unconventional pathways sparked my imagination.”
- “Collaborative workshops allowed me to realize strengths I hadn’t seen in myself while gaining hints about what I want to do.”
- “I enjoyed the chance to connect with high school students from other schools.”

Unveiling the Journey of Learning: The 'Traveling University Student Game'

One of the festival's novel attractions was the “Traveling University Student Game,” an interactive workshop designed to simulate the academic life at Satonoba University. Participants engaged with a large map of Japan, selecting regions where they would hypothetically reside as they narrated their unique educational journeys. This fun format allowed them to experience and appreciate the various facets of Satonoba’s approach to learning and the personal growth that accompanies it.

A Glimpse Into Future Engagements

Looking ahead, the next installment of the Career Festival is set to take place in Osaka on June 21, 2025, at the Knowledge Capital Conference Room. This promises to be another exciting opportunity for high school students, parents, and educators to engage. Participants can expect a day filled with enriching discussions and activities that inspire new understandings of education and career pathways.

For more information on participating in the Osaka event, be sure to register in advance for a chance to savor Starbucks drink tickets as a fun bonus! This festival is a perfect opportunity for high school students pondering their futures and seeking new educational approaches.

About Satonoba University

Satonoba University, established in 2019, offers a unique higher education experience where students live in various regions of Japan for a year each, tackling self-designed projects alongside local communities. This innovative instructional method emphasizes Project-Centered Learning, aiming to cultivate future co-creation talents who engage genuinely with society.

For those interested in Satonoba University’s more adventurous learning style and community-embedded projects, keep an eye out for upcoming programs and projects established in collaboration with multiple locations across the nation.