Staff Interview with Trung Le
Get to know Meiji Internships' staff!
Trung Le first studied finance and banking back in Vietnam, but never lost his interest in graphic design. He spent his free time challenging his creative thinking, finding his inspiration in Japan-born mangas. In an ever-integrating Asian region, he moved to Japan to learn the language and start a career as a graphic designer. He is now working in Meiji Internships as a business developer and graphic designer.
What initially drew you to work with Meiji Internships?
As a former international student in Fukuoka myself, the first time that I came across Meiji Internships was during one of their multicultural events which brought international and Japanese students together. We kept in touch afterwards because they were very interested in my polyvalent skills as a marketing designer with a degree in finance and banking. Their professional customer services have met my expectations from day one.
I am not only able to help international students to achieve their dream in Japan, but I also feel that I contribute to a better understanding between societies across the world. I am very proud to be part of a team of such passionate and professional people.
What are you currently working on as the Business Development Manager?
As a business development manager my main task is to help Meiji Internships to reach out to potential students and interns using design resources. I create various graphic design materials for marketing purposes. I also like to contact potential clients via email or phone call myself because it gives me a better understanding of their needs and expectations.
Afterwards, I set up strategic plans and oversee new marketing initiatives together with other staff members. I also put my skills in finance and banking into practice from time to time, as an internal consultant who oversees the company’s marketing budget and management dynamics.
How has your background in Finance and Banking, and your passion for Art and Design, helped you in your position as the Business Development Manager?
Indeed, I have a degree in Finance and Banking, and yet a passion for Art and Design at the same time! It might sound quite unfamiliar but this actually allows me to see things from different but complementary perspectives, which is highly regarded by my coworkers.
Business development combines all aspects of business so the industry needs professionals with specific and different field(s) of expertise. Both my formal education in finance and hands-on training in design have brought me a set of skills that I use for the oversight of internal business operations as well as marketing design related tasks outbound tasks.
Where do you get your inspiration for your work?
Developing business opportunities using design resources requires a genuine creative mindset. Everyday I try to take time to look at my surroundings and the people around me to get new ideas. Especially Japanese urban and rural landscapes, characterized by a mix of traditions and modernity, truly can inspire people and many foreign artists visiting Japan on that purpose.
I also like to spend as much time as I can in museums and galleries of all kinds, and also engage a lot with other artists and designers online and/or via social media—I have actually learned a lot from them! I like to show them my work and ask for feedback which is always useful and challenging. I am also still very active in the arts and design scene and like to help the next generation of young professionals in the industry.
What advice would you give to future Meiji Internships interns?
At the risk of stating the obvious, I would say that it is of the utmost importance to step out of your comfort zone because if you don’t challenge yourself, nothing is going to happen. Interns coming to Japan must be very curious and ask questions all the time, like babies do.
When you arrive in Japan and have a completely different cultural background you are like a newborn here, so you should better experience as much as you can of Japan’s unique culture during your time here. Traveling around Japan, visiting other prefectures, enjoying local food and culture, meeting new people, etc., are all activities you should add to your to-do list when you come to Japan.
Before I came to Fukuoka I was unsure of what I would encounter. However, to my surprise, I have never seen such a foreigner-friendly city before! I have met all my Japanese friends during weekly international events and meet-ups. Japanese people are always keen on learning more about other cultures.
Why do you think it is important for people to travel and experience new cultures?
Because it is eye-opening! As cheesy as it may sound, immersing yourself in a new culture will positively affect you forever. It's a big world out there; people live and behave differently. You will discover new social norms and lifestyles. It will not only change your perspective on the happenings, but also re-shape your personality.
Traveling while you intern helps you to gain confidence, soft skills, and an extended network on top of that.
If you could participate in an internship with Meiji Internships, what internship would you want to do?
Design! I like art and visually appealing things. They somehow appease me, and the fact of making people happy through my work is truly a career goal in itself. I think that design is a fair career path for anyone who likes to gain the satisfaction of seeing their efforts pay off.
Why is Japan a great location for an internship?
Japan is still a low-key internship destination, yet it deserves to be seen as a country of countless opportunities for young talents. Japan is the third largest economy in the world, and excels in various fields such as architecture, electronics, information technology, and many others. That is, interning in Japan is a unique opportunity to learn from the best. Moreover, initiatives such as the “startup visa” launched by Fukuoka City have opened doors to countless opportunities for ambitious young professionals.
What makes Meiji Internships special?
Team Spirit! The sense of belonging to something bigger than oneself is really strong at Meiji Internships. Staff members are all very friendly and enthusiastic, they have welcomed me with open arms and helped me to grow personally and professionally.
It is also very international at the office, so there are a lot of opportunities to learn from each other’s culture. Except for my Japanese colleagues, we are all foreign residents living in Japan. I think our multicultural skills could not be better.
What developments do you hope to see for Meiji Internships?
At Meiji Internships we are always looking for new opportunities to help international students to come to live, work, and travel in Japan. We already offer fully customizable internship placements across all industries anywhere in Japan, but we have high hopes that we can soon open new offices in other cities as well. Personally, I am working on a project to reach out to students from Vietnam.