This time, we spoke with Kushal Chattopadhyay, a student at Harvard University, who recently secured an opportunity to work in Japan through Jelper Club. His journey into the world of AI and robotics led him to Reazon Human Interaction Lab, a cutting-edge company in the field. In this interview, Kushal shares how his passion for Japan developed, his thoughts on Jelper Club, and his exciting new experiences working in Japan.
―― Could you briefly introduce yourself?
Kushal: My name is Kushal, and I'm majoring in Applied Math at Harvard University, while also pursuing a concurrent Master’s in Computer Science. I was born and raised in Fremont, California, and I'm of Bengali-American background. I’ve always been interested in Machine Learning (ML) and AI, and through Jelper Club, I found an incredible opportunity to work at Reazon Human Interaction Lab. This experience has been amazing for me both personally and professionally.
Kushal from Harvard
―― How did you first learn about Jelper Club?
Kushal: I initially learned about Jelper Club from a friend who mentioned it as a good platform for finding job opportunities in Japan. As someone with a growing interest in Japanese culture and technology, I thought it would be a great way to explore options that aligned with my field of AI and ML. I joined Jelper Club, went through their screening process, and opened my account.
―― What sparked your interest in working in Japan?
Kushal: My interest in Japan developed fairly recently. In part, it grew when I started interacting with Japanese students at Harvard by giving them tours of the campus. Those conversations sparked my curiosity about Japanese culture, and I started exploring Japan through films, books, and language studies. I also became fascinated by Japanese technology and the nation’s cutting-edge research climate. Eventually, I became really interested in finding a way to work in Japan, and Jelper Club helped open that path for me. I was excited to find a role at Reazon, where I could combine my interest in AI with my desire to experience Japanese work culture.
―― Could you tell us more about your experience at Reazon?
Kushal: The environment at Reazon has been incredible. It’s a very collaborative, flexible space where everyone is working on different projects, and you can always talk to people and share ideas It's hardworking yet also relaxed, with everyone pursuing their projects in a very collaborative manner. Work-life balance is also respected here, and there's a strong sense of community. What surprised me the most was the amount of respect and camaraderie in the workplace. Japanese work culture is often misrepresented abroad, but I’ve found it to be highly respectful and supportive.
While I plan to complete my concurrent degrees at Harvard, my future ambitions include continuing to work in AI and robotics in Japan, possibly pursuing roles that blend research and development as a full-time at Reazon.
I also intend to keep improving my Japanese language skills, as being able to communicate with colleagues in technical and everyday Japanese has already made a huge difference in my ability to connect with colleagues and immerse myself in the culture. In the coming years, I hope to further explore Japan's AI landscape and make long-term contributions to the field.
―― What role did Jelper Club play in securing your position at Reazon?
Kushal: Jelper Club played a pivotal role. I found out about Reazon through the platform and was able to connect with people working there, including students who had graduated from American universities like me. Jelper Club provided that initial connection that eventually led to my role at Reazon. Without it, I may not have even considered Japan as an option for my career.
―― What do you think are the benefits of using Jelper Club?
Kushal: The biggest benefit of Jelper Club is the access it gives you to unique job opportunities in Japan that align with your skills and interests. The platform is very user-friendly, and I enjoyed receiving their newsletters and articles, which kept me informed about the latest opportunities. It’s also a great way to connect with like-minded students and professionals who are interested in Japan.
―― Lastly, could you share a message for fellow Jelper Club members or those considering joining?
Kushal: Jelper Club is an incredible platform if you're interested in exploring opportunities in Japan. For anyone considering Japan as a place to work, I encourage you to give it serious thought. It might seem daunting to move to a new country, but with the right mindset, it can be one of the most rewarding experiences. And Jelper Club makes that opportunity more achievable than you might think. So, if you're interested, definitely explore what Jelper Club has to offer and see where it can take you!
At Jelper Club, we're here to support you every step of the way for your career development in Japan. Our platform connects ambitious students from top universities worldwide with exclusive internship and full-time job opportunities in Japan with a variety of Japanese proficiency requirements. We also provide access to practical information, member-only events, and a professional community of like-minded individuals.
If you're a top student looking to work in AI or robotics, or if you want to connect with Jelper Club members like Kushal, who have successfully secured positions in Japan, we encourage you to register with Jelper Club today.
(Interviewer/Editor: Jelper Club Editorial Team)
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