From Knowledge to Practical Skills

 

In Japanese school education, most subjects—except for physical education and arts and crafts—emphasize academic exams that test whether students “know” something, while practical exams that assess whether they “can do” it are often neglected. However, once we enter the workforce, we rarely rely on the broad, shallow knowledge acquired in school. Instead, we are expected to have deep expertise in a specific area, along with essential skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, resilience, communication, and leadership. These practical competencies, which are better assessed through hands-on evaluation rather than academic tests, become increasingly important. Through my many years of experience, I have often seen talented individuals struggle in the workplace because they lacked the practical skills necessary to contribute meaningfully, despite their strong academic backgrounds. To develop such skills, it is not only effective to learn by doing through work but also to engage in long-term study of practical aspects within a chosen field. Even those who did not excel in school exams can make up for it later if they recognize this reality and commit to continuous learning. Personally, I spent most of my student life dedicated to my baseball club, often neglecting my studies—a decision I later regretted. However, after entering the workforce, I began devoting more of my personal time to study than I ever had as a student, and I was able to apply what I learned directly to my work. From this experience, I encourage anyone who feels regret about their academic past to start now—it's never too late to pursue practical, meaningful learning.

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