Pasona/Nambu Internship

[Kanchou]

Does anyone know anything about this program?

I'm applying for it (...soon...seeing as how the deadline is the 31st of this month...) but I don't know how selective the application process is.

I calculate that about 16-17 people get selected each year (300+ people in 18+ years), but I wonder how many apply?

And does anyone know if the businesses are generally all in Tokyo, or all over the nation?

I wonder if I should expect to be selected, or expect to be rejected?

This is basically my only chance of being able to go back to Japan until I graduate.

[Charles]

A friend of mine applied and got in, he got a summer job at cell phone store outside Tokyo (I forget where). It's not like you're going to be an intern in the office of the CEO of Mitsubishi.

I suspect there are fewer applicants than you think. So apply, what's the worst that could happen?

[IkemenTommy]

So apply, what's the worst that could happen?

They take your personal info and use it for other evil purposes or worse get shared on the P2P network

[Kanchou]

Well I don't really care where the job is... although I would like to avoid a manufacturing-only company (as they tend to be small and boring... like the one I'm working at).

I would have expected something besides a cell phone store (it says they're supposed to provide accommodations, I assumed that meant company dorms), since they had a lot of major companies in their sponsor list.

I mean, I've applied, regardless. Just want to know whether I should get my hopes up or not.

(I mean, I want to do it because otherwise I just can't afford to back Japan, any money or job experience is just a bonus)...

[Kanchou]

Well the good news is that my application (and presumably my teacher's recommendation) got there in time, and wasn't missing anything...

Now I just have to wait till they let me know whether I'll be moving on to the phone interview.

The only thing I can think that could *possibly* hold be back if either they don't fill every slot (regardless of the amount of applicants), of if there aren't as many slots as applications, would be my mediocre grades.

[Kanchou]

Well, no contact from them and it's long past the "beginning of Febuary" so I'll take that as a No.

[Charles]

Well, no contact from them and it's long past the "beginning of Febuary" so I'll take that as a No.

Don't. I'm sure you are aware that Japanese bureaucracy is notoriously slow. I figure they'd send you a letter informing you of their decision, regardless of whether it is yes or no.

[Kanchou]

Believe me, I know. I had to wait for months to get a reply from Nihon University when I went two years ago.

However, they said the phone interviews would happen in early February, and that they would use email or phone contact to set up a time for an interview. It really seems unJapanese-like to be that behind schedule.

So I sent an email to ask for a confirmation on whether that is over or not, and I still haven't got a response (it's been a week).

Then again, the internship is really intended for graduates, and "selected" undergrads.

I haven't given up hope just yet, but it seems really bleak.

[Kanchou]

*finally* got the lettering saying there weren't enough slots this year.

Although they do suggest I apply again next year...