Taking Pride in Working as a Pioneer in Physical Security
T-san, can you briefly describe your job?
I work as a Project Manager in a department in charge of providing “physical security” solutions. My job mainly involves management of adoption, implementation and installation of control devices for card-readers for access control, security cameras and motion sensors for offices. Unlike other companies, AEC adopts products from foreign manufactures for these devices. As we deal with foreign-made products, many of our clients are foreign-owned companies, and I am personally proud of providing services at their offices, distribution warehouses, and so called “backyard (storage & control)” facilities of their commercial centers.
Perhaps the term “physical security” may sound unfamiliar to many people, and in fact, it is still a niche industry on a global scale. This is the industry which is particularly uncommon in Japan. So, I take pride in working as a pioneer in this field.
I wanted to work as a Project Manager in a Multicultural Environment!
Why did you choose to work at AEC?
I decided to join AEC because I wanted to work as a Project Manager in a multicultural environment utilizing my previous work experience. In my previous job, I was engaged in services in IT Infrastructures, which involved installation of Local Area Network and other network systems for offices. Such experience was useful in conducting my job at AEC, so I was able to adapt to the atmosphere of its work sites quite smoothly.
We have many members from overseas, and it was a bit of a challenge for me to communicate and exchange emails in English, but it didn’t take long for me to get comfortable in such work settings. Everything was new at the beginning, but by learning how works are processed here at AEC and absorbing its business styles through practice, I was able to accumulate my experience and skills. This learning procedure suited my own preferences, and it worked out very well.
When do you find your job enjoyable and at what kind of moment do you get a sense of accomplishment in working?
In each project, we make suggestions and estimate the cost for quotation based on the needs and request from our clients, and once a project has commenced, we manage the work progress. I find it tough, yet it is very satisfying to get involved in projects comprehensively from the start to the completion. To perform presentations and estimate project costs, it is necessary to have and exercise technical knowledge, and there’s no limit to the amount of knowledge I can absorb. This, indeed, makes my job enjoyable.
Most new members come from different job fields without experience in the type of job in which my team is engaged. Therefore, they often make mistakes, and I provide them with technical support with issues they face for the first time, and I often run into a situation that I need to manage and take control as the supervisor. It’s not easy to handle these tasks, but I get a sense of value in what I do when I have accomplished them.
The Company supports us in training for acquisition of Licenses and Qualifications
What do you like about working at AEC?
Compared to my previous job, it’s easier to get my opinions accepted by my supervisors here at AEC, and people around me are open-minded about other members’ suggestions. Thanks to such an open work environment, I am performing my job each day comfortably. I am also grateful that I can take a paid leave quite flexibly. Generally, members from other countries are more efficient in taking paid leaves than we Japanese are, and I think I’m doing well in balancing my work and private life by learning from them. Our head office is in Okinawa, so members of the Tokyo Branch Office may have a chance to take a business trip to Okinawa. On holidays, some members use the Company’s recreational facility located in Okinawa. My work starts a bit early at 8:00, but I can leave for home at 17:00. So, I can secure enough time for myself after work in the evening. This gives me an extra reward in the summer because I can go home when it’s still bright. This allows me to make more time to engage in family activities or go out with my colleagues for drinking.
In addition, if you acquire specific licenses and qualifications, you may receive additional allowances (Qualification Allowances) each month, and the Company may support you in training for acquisition of qualification depending on the types of qualification. Although the subject field is already set, once you have acquired applicable qualifications, you are eligible for receiving a fixed sum of money as the allowance continuously each month. I think such benefit is rare, and I feel grateful for receiving it on top of enhancement of my skills. In my job, I often use devices and systems produced by foreign manufacturers, for which I receive special training. I am very happy that it leads to acquisition of further qualification.
T-san, what kind of person would be a perfect fit to work in your team?
Physical security is relatively a new field of business in Japan, and many new members are coming from different job fields. Therefore, they’re not very familiar with this job and have to learn from the scratch to obtain necessary knowledge and skills before they’re able to handle their work independently. In such circumstance, a person who is eager to learn and explore new field of business would be successful. So, an ideal type of person to work in our team is someone who is willing to tackle challenges and try new things, instead of getting anxious over lack of experience.
Here at AEC, we have many members from other countries. So, it would be beneficial if you can speak English. Nonetheless, the Company’s atmosphere wouldn’t let you feel overwhelmed even if you’re still a beginner and not confident at your level of English. You will have your members who are happy to support you, hence there is nothing to worry about. In addition, the Company provides lots of learning opportunities to help you get used to your new job quite smoothly.
Take lack of experience positively! Take mistakes as opportunities for further growth and improvement!
Can you leave a message to potential job applicants?
Remember to take things positively. You do not need to be pessimistic about having no experience in this job field. This job calls for skills to coordinate with other members of the Company and external parties and process works in an organized manner, hence it will be certainly beneficial if you have experienced working in service industries or other job fields. Also, my team is quite open-minded and ready to accept mistakes, we take them as important opportunities for making improvements and consolidating your skills. I was able to succeed in developing my own strengths and capabilities through such environment. So, I need you to stay optimistic and have no fear in proceeding with your interest in working at AEC!
Sample Work Day Schedule (Site Work)
- AM 7:30 Arrive at Work Site/ Prepare for Work
- AM 8:00 Radio Calisthenics/Morning Assembly (“Chorei”)
- Hazard Prediction (KY) Meeting
- Safety Management
- PM 12:00 Lunch-break
- PM 13:00 Safety Management
- PM 16:00 Clean & Tidy up the Work Site and Prepare for Next Day’s Work
- PM 17:00 Leave for Home
Sample Work Day Schedule (Office Work)
- AM 8:00 Arrive at Work
- Estimation/Inspection of Test Environment/Project Preparation, etc.
- PM 12:00 Lunch-break
- Estimation/Inspection of Test Environment/Project Preparation, etc.
- PM 17:00 Leave for Home