Individual counseling for female students
in collaboration with volunteer researchers

Every year, as part of RIKEN Wako Open Day, the Diversity Promotion Office holds online academic and career counseling sessions provided by researchers for female junior high, high school, and university students.

Researchers from various fields working at RIKEN offer their utmost efforts to support the future of female students.

Sessions for FY 2024 will be held Saturday, October 5, 2024.

Sample questions asked during the counseling sessions in the past.

Work as a researcher

• What kind of research do you do? What’s the fun part?
• When you were young, what kinds of subjects did you study and what study methods did you use? What subjects did you like?
• What is necessary to become a researcher?
• Can you conduct research overseas?

Choosing a path in science

• Why did you choose to pursue science?
• What should I consciously study to advance into science?

Work/research balance with family life

• Is it challenging to balance research and childrearing?

Comments

• As it was an individual session, I was able to talk freely without worrying about other participants.
• It was a fulfilling conversation.
• It was a quality time, and I wished I had more than 30 minutes. It was a valuable and wonderful opportunity to be able to talk with a researcher directly. I was lucky to have known this program.
• I was unsure what path I should take in the future, but the researcher offered me a friendly ear, and I had a great time. I was able to learn about both the rigor and enjoyment of being a researcher.
• I was able to learn what to be careful about when choosing a university to become a researcher, and that I would also have the choice to study abroad. That motivated me to study harder for the upcoming entrance exam.
• I didn’t have an opportunity to hear from researchers directly like this before. I was glad that I was able to solve my problems.
• I felt inspired to work hard towards my dream.