How Have Kyoto University Students' Career Aspirations Changed Over Three Years?

Changes in Kyoto University Students' Career Aspirations Over Three Years

Sankei Shimbun and HR consulting firm Works Japan have conducted surveys targeting university students regarding their desired employers. This report aggregates data over three years (classes of '25, '26, and '27), specifically focusing on responses from Kyoto University students.

From the three-year data, three key trends in career aspirations emerge:

- **Consolidation of Exploratory Job Hunting**: The "do not limit the industry" approach remains the top choice, maintained at around 40%. The mindset of aiming for a "first-choice offer" dropped from 50.5% to 10.1%, indicating a shift towards a style of broad comparison while valuing dialogue. - **Shift Towards Stability**: "Business stability" rose from 7.2% for the class of '25 to 20.3% for the class of '27, becoming the top reason for employer selection for the first time. Conversely, "doing the work I want" fell from 17.5% to 6.3%. - **Rise of IT and Precision Equipment**: Precision equipment manufacturers and global IT firms entered the top 10 for the class of '27. Consulting and think tank sectors have also solidified their position in second place, highlighting increased interest in highly specialized professions.

Three-Year Trends in Kyoto University's Popular Employer Rankings

While trading companies maintain a strong presence, the rise of consulting, precision equipment, and global IT sectors for the class of '27, combined with significant year-to-year ranking volatility, characterizes Kyoto University's recruitment landscape.

### Three Key Trends from the Rankings

1. **Persistent Presence of Trading Companies**: Mitsubishi Corp. maintains a top spot, yet ranking volatility is severe year-to-year, necessitating the use of current data for recruitment strategies. 2. **Solidification of Consulting/Think Tanks**: Firms like Nomura Research Institute (NRI) have become mainstays in the top 10, aligning with student interests in expertise and growth environments. 3. **Rapid Rise of Tech and Precision Equipment**: Companies like Keyence and Google, previously outside the top rankings, have suddenly appeared at the top for the class of '27, reflecting a shift in preferences, particularly among science students.

Three-Year Change in the 'Reason for Selecting First Choice'

The most significant shift in selection reasons is the move from "doing the work I want" to "business stability." While the former saw an initial rise, it ultimately declined, while "business stability" increased nearly threefold. "Future potential" has also more than doubled, showing that stability and future prospects have become central to Kyoto University students' motivations.