The True Purpose of Education Seen Through Career Design

Floor space: 0 square meters. Japan's first university offering 100% online business education: BBT University. Current students residing in 110 countries around the world gather in cyberspace. We spoke with Professor Shugo Tanaka, Head of the Global Management Department, who stands at the forefront of this initiative, about the essence and potential of online education.

At Business Breakthrough University (BBT University), where I teach, business professionals residing in 110 countries study business in a 100% online environment. "I want to acquire the specialized skills needed for entrepreneurship," "I want to earn a degree to facilitate a career change"—each student possesses a strong passion for their career in some form.

Professor Tanaka delivering an online lecture. Broadcast from a studio in Kojimachi, Tokyo, to students residing in 110 countries worldwide. Professor Tanaka teaches BBT University's popular course, 'Fundamentals of Marketing'.

So, what exactly constitutes a better career?

In business education, the importance of "career design" – designing one's career itself – has long been emphasized. Yet its essence often remains vague. Consequently, when people hear "career design," they typically imagine it as a planning approach: "acquiring specialized skills or certifications to advance one's career" or "consulting with recruitment agencies to plan a job change."

You imagine your future self and set goals for your ideal occupation, position, annual income, and so on. Then, you devise a plan to achieve those goals. I don't mean to dismiss this kind of career design. However, it's also true that if you lose sight of the essence of career design, it can become nothing more than a grind of gritting your teeth and striving to meet targets. So, I'll deliberately define it. The essence of career design is "honestly facing what excites you."

When giving feedback lectures on student submissions, I approach it with the flair of a variety show. Students aren't merely watching lecture videos. They are confronting their own excitement.

To face your excitement, you must first be honest with yourself.
This is because everyone has sources of excitement within themselves – things they inevitably become absorbed in, or things they simply love without needing a reason.
However, preconceived notions installed in our minds—like "because that's how society sees it..." or "considering what others might think..."—stand in the way.
Even though your excitement is shouting, "I'm right here!", you're covering your ears, telling yourself, "No, that can't be true."

Trying to build a career without confronting that excitement will gradually become painful. Setting career goals while ignoring your true self inevitably leads to being crushed by heavy trials. Conversely, when you honestly listen to your heart's voice and start building a career based on excitement, paths open up effortlessly. Because it's simply enjoyable, every circumstance feels fulfilling.

This is the essence of career design. From this perspective, the learning environment for business professionals—that is, business education—should be seen not primarily as a place for career advancement, but rather as a place to "rediscover your excitement and flip that switch."

At BBT University, professors themselves embody excitement. In March 2020, responding to COVID-19, Professor Tanaka produced an "Avatar Graduation Ceremony." Graduates operated avatar robots from home to receive their diplomas from President Kenichi Ohmae.

The rapid expansion of online education due to COVID-19 presents a valuable opportunity to reexamine the fundamental purpose of education. In this column, I will explore "What is excitement?" and discuss the essence of education, the characteristics of online education, and the potential of education that blends online and real-world elements, all from the perspective of a business educator at a 100% online university.