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What made you decide to join the company?
When I was a university student, I was interning at an environmental assessment company introduced by an environmental studies professor. He told me that there was an interesting company that he would like to join if he were in his 20s. When I heard about Woonerf at a company information session, I was attracted by the company's freedom and vigor, which I did not find at the large company where I was interning at the time, and fascinated by the fact that I could contribute to urban development that is friendly to people and the environment.
What is your current job description?
I am currently involved in consulting services for WELL certification. First, we discuss with the client to determine the goals of the project and conduct a feasibility study (FS) to see if certification can be obtained. After that, if the project proceeds to full certification, we communicate with the owner, designer, builder, and other parties to prepare the application materials. Once the project is completed, we visit the site to conduct on-site inspections and confirm that the construction is in accordance with the requirements.
What are some of your most memorable experience at Woonerf so far?
It was my participation in the WELL Summit held in the United States. This year's theme was Diversity Equity Inclusion, and I realized that the scope of DEI I thought I understood was narrow. The training helped me to understand that there are minorities outside the scope of my imagination. I strongly think that WELL certification should be recognized as a global health certification only after considering the comfort and health of these people, and that I need to broaden my perspective and knowledge in order to realize this goal. It was also stimulating to exchange views with other designers and developers of the same generation who share similar interests.
What have you learned as a student that has helped you in your current job?
In college, I majored in psychology and environmental studies. Although what I think useful I learned is not directly related to academic, I developed an inquisitive mind to thoroughly investigate things I wanted to know or did not understand. The certifications for which I provide consulting services are American and advanced in content, so I am often exposed to unfamiliar words and ideas, but I find it rewarding to gather information about them and propose to clients how to incorporate them into their projects in an easy-to-understand manner.
Are there any distortions you felt when you joined the company?
Rather than a distortion, I was surprised to find that there was more individual discretion than I had.
I think that the company was also groping in regards to training, as they started hiring new graduates in 2021 when I joined the company. I remember being assigned to a project right after I joined the company, and I was very impatient inside.
Now, the number of new employees has increased considerably and the training system is well established, so believe that it is a lot easier for new employees to start out at Woonerf.
Please share how you spend your day at work.
Basically, once I am assigned to a project, my schedule is flexible, depending on the availability of the project team and the client. Thus it is easy for me to take vacations, which I appreciate very much. Although there are some tasks that cannot be completed without face-to-face meetings or on-site visits, I am basically able to do remote work so I can use my time more efficiently without investing so much time in commuting.
My day starts with checking e-mails, holding internal meetings, preparing application materials, meeting with clients if any, and making a list of things to do the next day.
How do you feel about the company and your job?
It may sound cliché, but I think it is the fact that employees get along well with each other. Since the time I joined the company, I have felt that there are no “difficult people to work with,” and I have never felt any stress related to people. As I mentioned above, there was no established training program for new employees when I joined the company, but I think the reason I have been able to continue to work here is because of the employees who are close to me.
When I was still a student, I had an image of work colleagues as being involved only in work, but in reality, I think we have built a relationship that is a good mix of friend and colleague, such as hanging out on our days off and playing sports after work.
How you spend your time off
After work, what I always do is play with my two dogs and online games. Lately, I've been exclusively addicted to mahjong... I'm planning to start running when the weather cools down, as I'm not getting enough exercise by far. On weekends, I often go away and go for delicious food all over Japan.
