Voices of working students
Try Working There
I asked him what it was like to actually work there.
We spoke to staff members who worked as working students, creating designs, etc., and are now peer supporters.
How did you come to Shake Hands?
After graduating from university, I started feeling a sense of discomfort in my daily life, which led me to visit a psychiatrist, where I was diagnosed with ADHD. Following this diagnosis, I began attending a specialized mental health center. Honestly, during this period, I felt a lot of anxiety about my career and future. However, I was introduced to the existence of Shake Hands by the doctors at the center. They advised me that my experience from art school and my creative background would be beneficial for activities at Shake Hands, which led me to decide to join.
What kind of working style did you have as an employee at Shake Hands?
My experience as a work-study student at Shake Hands was a very special one in my career. I was in the graphic design department. At first, I mainly worked on line design and visual production for posters. But over time, my education and skills at art university were recognized and I was given external projects.
In addition, because I disclosed that I have ADHD, certain consideration was given to the way I worked. For example, I was scheduled to do my main tasks during times when I was most able to concentrate, and I was allowed to work while taking short breaks, creating an environment in which I could perform at my best. Shake Hands was a very valuable experience for me as a place where I could make the most of the characteristics and skills I have. My experience here was an opportunity to reaffirm my own strengths and value.
Has anything changed since you started attending Shake Hands?
Shake Hands has significantly changed my self-perception of my ADHD and dramatically improved my communication skills in a culture that embraces diversity. In addition, through work experience in the graphic design department, I have had more opportunities to learn new technical skills and have become more confident in my unique value and abilities.
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What kind of consideration did you receive at Shake Hands?
At Shake Hands, they took my ADHD characteristics into consideration and scheduled my main tasks during the times when I was most able to concentrate. In addition, they adjusted the environment for efficient work, provided me with the necessary tools, and always provided me with constructive feedback, rather than one-sided instructions or criticism. In addition, the staff and colleagues at Shake Hands showed a deep understanding of my characteristics, which helped create an environment where I could work with peace of mind.
Do you have any future dreams?
Through my experience at Shake Hands, I want to launch a project that supports people with characteristics like mine to expand their opportunities in society. As I have experienced, I believe that understanding diversity and utilizing each person's characteristics will lead to many creative results. Therefore, in the future, I would like to use my experience and knowledge to promote a culture that accepts diversity and aim to develop a work environment that makes the most of characteristics. My big dream is to create a platform that can provide other people with the opportunities that Shake Hands has given me.
Please give a message to those who will be coming to Shake Hands in the future.
At Shake Hands, I initially saw it as a place where I could work at my own pace while receiving support for rehabilitation. However, I feel it has evolved into a space where I can challenge myself in the fields of anime production and working with PC environments, allowing me to contribute more significantly to society.
In this evolving environment, my goal is not just to turn my weaknesses into strengths but to further develop the skills I already excel at. Rather than forcing solutions to problems or simply avoiding them, I want to focus on uncovering and expanding the unique potential I possess.
I hope to extend this mindset to support others who come to Shake Hands for employment assistance, helping them to discover and develop their own unique possibilities.
