Sam: I love researching information on various databases and I have a strong interest in global marketing strategies. I am also interested in the IT industry, and I want to learn more about how to enhance productivity by leveraging IT solutions for marketing purposes. In turn, an important reason I chose to intern at IBM is the opportunity to research various marketing and communications IT strategies to help firms enhance productivity.

Sam: Creating agendas and themes for events, translating reports and letters from Japanese to English, meeting with clients, researching the financials and strategies of various companies to identify potential guests and guest speakers for events, creating promotional videos, and making presentations to promote IBM software during events.

Sam: Among other things, I have learned to keep it simple and minimize risk when creating event themes that involve meeting with clients. I've learned the importance of remaining realistic in every decision made regarding a project. I've learned to make sure I understand my tasks 100% before starting to work on them. Asking too many questions to coworkers while working on a task can be annoying in a Japanese work setting. I've also improved my business-Japanese ability as well as my understanding of Japanese business customs.

Sam: I plan on working for a global marketing enterprise to help businesses increase profitability and growth. The IT industry would be ideal, but I am open to any industry as long as I can research to develop global marketing strategies. I am equally comfortable working in Japan, the U.S., and France. I think my choice will depend on the opportunities I receive upon graduation. After four to five years of acquiring experience from working, I would like to start my own business in IT solutions.

Sam: My internship will help me in the following ways:

• This internship taught me a lot about Japanese professional norms and values. In turn, I will be ready to work in Japan upon graduation.
• I know how to meet important Japanese clients thanks to this internship. If I have to meet Japanese clients for negotiations or contract purposes for a U.S. or French company, I will be ready to do so.
• My extensive use of various databases for research purposes has enhanced my marketing research skills, which I may use for a future job in global marketing.
• Translating reports enhanced my language skills, which I may use in the future.

Sam: I encourage any student who wishes to do the following to pursue this internship at IBM Japan:

• Learn how to plan efficiently
• Practice intense and structured research
• Learn Japanese professional norms, and how to properly meet/greet clients in Japan
• Learn how to communicate efficiently in Japanese, and in a professional context.