#Japan #Tokyo #Career Choices #Scale-Up Companies #University Students

Changing Career Perspectives Among University Students

In a recent study conducted by Partners Co., Ltd., a comprehensive asset management advisory firm, a significant shift has been identified among university students regarding their employment preferences. Out of 400 respondents from prestigious universities, approximately 75% expressed a strong interest in the concept of "scale-up companies." These organizations are characterized by their strong business foundations and rapid growth phases, presenting students with an appealing balance between stability and challenge that previous generations may not have prioritized.

What Are Scale-Up Companies?

Scale-up companies are identified as enterprises that have a proven business base and are currently experiencing rapid growth. They move beyond the initial startup stage to enter a second growth curve, notably increasing sales, customer base, and workforce. This term is recognized in the West as a prominent branch of growth companies, alongside startups, and is gaining traction in Japan as a viable post-startup option.

Survey Findings

1. Attraction to Scale-Up Companies
The survey asked students about their attractiveness towards scale-up companies—organizations that maintain trustworthy achievements and undergo ongoing growth and cultural updates. About 75% found these companies appealing, showcasing a trend towards favoring employers that strike a balance between growth and stability.

2. Employment Potential
When asked if scale-up companies would become a significant employment choice in the future, 65% rated them favorably on a scale of 1 to 5, indicating that a substantial majority believe in the potential and value these companies offer.

3. Balancing Stability and Challenge
Many students expressed a desire to escape the binary choice between large corporations and startups, leaning instead towards the idea of stability alongside ambitious challenges. During the survey, the preferred work intention revealed that students prioritize environments where opportunities for growth and a sense of security coexist.

Preferred Qualities in Employers

Students indicated a preference for companies that could adapt to changes while offering a strong foundation. The survey results highlighted that a majority admire organizations that exhibit:

• - Flexibility: Companies that can evolve their culture and operations to accommodate changes in the workforce.
• - Trust and Reliability: A stable and dependable background is seen as essential in fostering an appealing work environment.

Emerging Trends in Employer Selection

The survey also revealed emerging trends in students' values surrounding employer selection. Students are showing a preference for firms that not only demonstrate reliability and a proven track record but also offer flexible work arrangements and genuine growth opportunities.

Executive Officer Ryota Seike stated that students are increasingly cautious about relying solely on stability in their career paths, while also recognizing the risks associated with purely challenging environments. This indicates a burgeoning demand for workplaces that foster both safety and innovation.

Conclusion

The interest in scale-up companies among university students symbolizes a notable change in career ambitions, reflecting a growing recognition that stability and opportunity for challenge can coexist. This trend offers insights for businesses looking to attract top talent: developing workplace cultures that genuinely embody these evolving values is essential to securing the next generation's workforce. As students increasingly perceive scale-up companies as alluring options, organizations must adapt to meet their values and expectations.

About Partners Co., Ltd.

Partners Co., Ltd. is dedicated to designing a new landscape for asset management, enriching futures through innovative means. It navigates the complexities of property investment, insurance, and low-cost investment with technology's power, insisting on a symbiotic relationship with clients under our guiding principle of "LOVE&TECHNOLOGY."

• - CEO: Taku Yoshimura
• - Headquarters: Shinagawa Grand Central Tower, 17F, 2-16-4 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
• - Founded: September 2011
• - Number of Employees: Approximately 180
• - Business Focus: Technology-driven asset management services (including investment properties, insurance, and small-scale investments).

Awards

• - Consistently recognized as a Best Company by Great Place To Work ® Institute Japan for three consecutive years (2023-2025).
• - Listed in the FT 1000: High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific by Financial Times and Statista in 2021.