Name: Karen Shibasaki
Department / Position: Overseas Business Division, Intern
University / Major: International Christian University (ICU), College of Liberal Arts – Arts and Sciences
Field of Expertise / Responsibilities: Video editing
Hobbies / How I Spend My Days Off: Japanese taiko drumming, music, watching movies
University Activities / Affiliations: Active performer in the university’s taiko drumming club; responsible for pamphlet and website creation as a member of the PR team for TEDxICU.
Q. Please give us a brief self-introduction, including your background so far.
My name is Karen Shibasaki, and I’m currently a second-year student at International Christian University (ICU). I haven’t declared my major yet, but I’m planning to pursue Media, Communication, and Culture starting next year.
I’ve always been fascinated by how different types of media each have their own unique way of conveying messages and how the medium chosen can drastically change how a message resonates with people. This diversity in media is what drew me to this field. In today’s information-driven society, I believe the knowledge gained from studying this subject can be put to great use and applied in many different contexts. Although I still have a lot to learn, I hope to apply what I gain through my studies to my activities at GC as well.
As for my hobbies, I’m passionate about Japanese taiko drumming! I joined the taiko club after entering university, and it has become both my main form of physical activity and a source of artistic inspiration. The deep, resonant sound of the drums has become something I can’t get enough of—and now I find myself playing every week!
Q. What made you decide to join?
While I was looking for something that would offer me a new environment and a fresh challenge, my sister, Marie Shibasaki, who is currently interning at GC, introduced me to the opportunity.
Q. What kind of work are you involved in?
As an intern, I’m mainly part of the video editing team, where I create event recap videos and help organize our YouTube channel. I also support the research team by compiling information into charts and conducting company research as part of the inset project, including reaching out to various organizations. Although I’m involved in a wide range of tasks across different areas, I find each of them rewarding and a valuable learning experience.
Q. What challenges have you faced so far?
One of the biggest challenges was starting my internship with almost no prior knowledge in the fields GC deals with, as they were completely new to me. I was overwhelmed at first by all the unfamiliar terminology and graphs I had never seen before. But I’ve managed to get by thanks to the opportunities to apply the knowledge and experience I do have, as well as the support I’ve received whenever I didn’t understand something.
Q. What would you like to challenge yourself with in the future?
I want to make the most of what I’ve learned at school and at GC to help spread awareness about GC and its initiatives to a broader audience. I’m really happy that I’m already taking small steps toward that goal through my work with the video editing team.
Q. What kind of person do you want to be in 10 years?
In 10 years, I want to be someone who has a clear sense of self and strong core values. Rather than avoiding difficult or inconvenient issues, I want to face them head-on and think them through. I may not yet know what kind of environment I’ll be in or what I’ll be working on in the future, but no matter what, this is one goal I’m determined to achieve.
Q. Lastly, do you have a message for those who are interested in working at Green Carbon?
To anyone who wants to try something new or take that first step but feels a bit hesitant—GC offers plenty of opportunities to learn new things, but it’s also a place where you can make the most of what you want to do and what you’re good at. It’s a great environment to grow and challenge yourself, so take the leap and let your experiences here help you level up!