People
04
IT Solutions Division
Ryohei Watanabe
Graduate of Engineering
Joined the company in 2020
Voice
01
I aim to be an “interpreter” between the IT department and employees.
In graduate school, my research was on information theory, but when looking for a job, I widened my search beyond the information field. I wanted to use what I had learned to become a bridge between technical and general jobs, a kind of “interpreter.”
At that time, the SEGA SAMMY Group was recruiting IT-related career-track positions, which matched what I was looking for. In addition, the people I met during the selection process consistently spoke to me from the stance of “enjoying the selection process,” which made me feel at ease, as if they were telling me that it was okay to be who I was, rather than a conventional person. I was impressed by the way the interviewers listened to me with a sparkle in their eyes even when I expressed my opinions quite freely in the group discussion. I was touched by their attitude of accepting all opinions as that person’s charm.
Voice
02
With a fresh mind and my own perspective, I proposed improvement measures.
The User Support Section of the Platform Department is responsible for various information of the entire SEGA SAMMY Group. In my first year with the company, I was in charge of selecting equipment, initial computer settings, and repairs. What I valued at that time was to come up with my own ideas for improvement. I would create programs to improve efficiency, or suggest areas where shortcuts could be taken. When I was first assigned to the department, the section chief told me, “We want you to be proactive because we want you to have a new perspective.” The impression I had before joining the company, that it was an innovative company that would listen to all opinions, has remained with me since I joined.
At the same time, I was also in charge of providing feedback from the users (employees). In response to the promotion of telework due to the coronavirus pandemic, I set up remote access for employees to use internal applications and networks from home. Initially, there were many cases where we could not connect properly, but as we responded to the requests, we analyzed the trends and a system evolved that sped up the user response, such as using chatbots for common inquiries. It was a new challenge for the company, so it was great to be able to work on it with a fresh mind.
Voice
03
Bridging the gap in IT literacy and leading projects in the future
During my second year with the company, my work became centered on educational activities to strengthen IT literacy in the entire group. In addition to lecturing at online seminars for employees, I also plan and produce videos that introduce technology in five minutes and four-frame cartoons that introduce new services. I use various methods to allow me to set the appropriate media and time and discard information depending on what kind of information I want to convey to the people doing different types of work. For example, I select information that is useful for the applications used in each job, or I use short online videos when I want to deliver the information to people in departments who frequently work from home. I’ve been doing this for about eight months now, and I’m very happy to see the accumulation of information that I’ve sent out, which has streamlined work that used to be done repeatedly and has improved someone else’s work. In the beginning, we sent out information unilaterally, but gradually we received requests to send out additional useful information. Literacy is something that can be improved mutually, so I would like to expand awareness on the user side.
Through this work, I feel that my original desire to “be a bridge between IT technologies” has been sublimated into “activities to bridge the gap in IT literacy.” I would like to continue these activities to improve the operational efficiency of the entire group. Hopefully, we can strengthen the IT literacy of the entire group and one day create an environment where it is possible to communicate without the need for a technical “interpreter.”
Voice
04
Message to students and those who want to join our company
It may seem that all companies say the same thing at information sessions and on their websites, but I think it is best to develop your own way of looking at things. In my case, I was able to better understand the company by looking at what other students were taking the test. I also felt that it was important to experience more than one selection process. I believe that by experiencing actual interviews and selection processes, you can refine your own ideas and obtain new perspectives.
The hiring interview is an opportunity to see yourself, but it is also an opportunity to see the company, and a chance to learn what you want to know. If you think about it that way, the interview becomes more interesting. Have fun with your job hunting!
