My Journey
A timeline of experiences that shaped who I am today,
from childhood cultural identity to professional growth,
and creative expression.
The Common Thread
Looking back, there's a common thread: I've always been about understanding people, structuring chaos into clarity, and staying calm under stress. I don't define myself by a single title. I thrive on observing, connecting, and guiding.
Childhood & Cultural Identity
Born in Japan, I spent my early childhood in the United States until the end of elementary school. This experience influenced me more deeply than I realized at the time: I came to think in many ways like an American, but when I returned to Japan, I was expected to behave according to Japanese norms. The resulting inner conflict left me struggling with my sense of identity. Gradually, however, that struggle gave me a unique perspective on people, cultures, and behaviors.
Technology & Discovery
Growing up, I had a strong passion for technology—I built my own PC, closely followed tech news, and thought of myself as a 'tech geek.' Over time, though, my priorities changed. Rather than keeping up with the latest gadgets, I now care more about how technology, especially AI, can improve our day-to-day lives and reshape how we work.
University IT Support
I started my career by directly helping people. During my university years in Japan, I spent two years working part-time in IT support, assisting professors, staff, and students with everything from Microsoft Office to internet issues and setting up both Macs and Windows machines. Although I set a record for most support requests resolved in one shift, what truly mattered to me was the satisfaction of empowering others to feel comfortable and capable with technology.
Student Assistant & Mentorship
For two years, I served as a student assistant working part-time, supporting both a professor and students working on their theses. My responsibilities included not only providing academic structure but also emotional support. I listened to students, guided them, and helped them navigate stress and uncertainty. The compassion and perceptiveness I developed in this role have stayed with me ever since.
Professional IT Experience
After graduating, I worked full-time in the electronics trading industry for five years, gaining valuable professional experience. Yet, my previous part-time jobs brought me greater fulfillment as I was able to directly support and connect with people. These roles highlighted my strengths: understanding others, organizing teams, and ensuring project clarity. Thanks to mentors who demonstrated calm during crises, I thrive under pressure and naturally step into leadership roles to bring order to chaos.
Full-Stack Development & Project Management
Although I've been studying full-stack development, I've discovered that my true interests don't lie in UI design or becoming a full-time developer. I'm passionate about UX, strategy, team management, and fostering psychological safety so everyone can excel. In a recent team project, I worked as both project manager and developer, but what truly motivated me was ensuring our team stayed aligned and succeeded together. I feel most alive when collaborating to solve real-world problems, rather than just working through assignments or exams.
Main AI tools as my partners.
I embrace AI as part of my daily workflow. From code generation and debugging to content creation and problem-solving, these tools help me work more efficiently and creatively.
- ChatGPT (Plus): Collaborative partner for structuring ideas.
- Cursor (Pro): Development companion for coding with AI and debugging.
- Claude (Pro): Long-form reasoning, analysis, and document creation.
- Perplexity (Pro): Research and up-to-date information gathering.
- Gemini (Free): Provides quick answers to general questions with multi-modal features when out and about.