AIC Hosts Third Career Lab, Highlighting Finance and Venture Capital

AIC held the third entry in its Career Lab series on Monday, June 16, and focused on finance and venture capital. Four companies came to the event, each representing different fields: online banking, venture capital, credit cards, and securities. The event kicked off by introducing each of the companies, followed by panel discussions and roundtables where students were given the opportunity to think more about their future career paths.

Company Profiles

During the introductory sessions, representatives from each of the four companies shared multifaceted insights into their organizations’ key features, ongoing initiatives, hiring details, and various other topics.

SBI Sumishin Net Bank (Takeshi Sakai)

The representative from SBI Sumishin Net Bank discussed the advantages of combining finance and technology, describing how, by incorporating AI into their online banking operations, they were able to achieve incredible results with limited staff and no physical bank branches.

Sozo Ventures (Tetsu Nomura)

The representative from Sozo Ventures explained how venture capital goes beyond simply investments, extending into infrastructure support and network building. He also emphasized how the company has been able to leverage its base in Silicon Valley for global expansion, appealing to those who want to work on the international stage and are interested in roles involving multiple stakeholders.

Sumitomo Mitsui Card Company (Ayaka Shiomura)

The Sumitomo Mitsui Card Company presented initiatives aimed at creating new value centered around cashless transactions. An especially memorable part of the presentation demonstrated how accumulated data from cashless translations could improve the consumer’s quality of life as well as contributing to general social good by supporting local businesses.

Nomura Securities (Scott Lupton, Hiroto Tanabe, Aoba Ito)

Nomura Securities brought three experts working in IT and data science as their representatives. They spoke not only about their day-to-day work but also about their involvement in research and development and their active participation in academic conferences, offering a clear picture of Nomura Securities’ strong technical focus and deep expertise.

Panel Discussion: Financial Literacy (Yuki Takenaka)

Yuki Takenaka, who brings a broad range of industry expertise, led a panel discussion with representatives from the four companies. Their enthusiastic discussion ranged from how to choose the first step in your career path, the future prospects of different industries, information about hiring processes and internships, as well as other interesting insights into their different fields.

The speakers emphasized that as AI becomes an increasingly standard part of the industry, students can succeed in finance and venture capital regardless of their undergraduate major. They introduced ways to build relevant knowledge after joining a company, showing that these fields are open to a wide range of academic backgrounds.

The panel discussion also offered inspiration to many students, as each company spoke passionately about their vision, whether it was enriching everyday life through cashless systems or transforming the finance industry through technology.

Roundtable Discussion

At the end of the session, students and company representatives were divided into small groups for a roundtable discussion over light refreshments.

The casual setting encouraged open dialogue, with students asking thoughtful, specific questions based on the company introductions and panel discussion. The result was a lively and engaging exchange that overcame differences in position or experience.

Students also got a rare glimpse into the personal side of the speakers, including what motivates them in their work and the doubts they faced when choosing their own career paths. It was an invaluable opportunity where students could put themselves in their shoes and envision concrete steps towards their own careers.

Afterwards, students shared that the event helped them align their interests and studies with potential work at companies. Others appreciated the opportunity to hear the speakers’ candid opinions, showing just how meaningful the discussions and overall experience were for them.

Summary

This Career Lab allowed for participants to learn more about the benefits and opportunities available at four companies working in different lines of business.

AIC would like to express its sincere thanks to all of the representatives and companies that participated in this event.

The next Career Lab is scheduled for October, and will be focused on media companies.