Mr. Toya Kitagawa of Panasonic Corporation, who cooperated with Ph.Discover, contributed this article. Mr. Kitagawa is a working graduate student who is continuing his doctoral research while working as a company employee. The way people learn, work, and build career paths is diversifying. Here is a message from Mr. Kitagawa, who continues to take on challenges, including the activities of IEEE.
企業とアカデミック両方の立場から
From 2019 to the present, I belong to the development department of Panasonic Corporation, and I am developing technology to provide society with the optimal space through sound. During the same period, I am also conducting research as a doctoral student at the Department of Electronics and Information Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University. My research theme is the development of a stereophonic navigation system for the visually impaired. While university research specializes in a more specialized field and digs deeper into technology, in corporate development it is important to use what kind of technology to solve social issues from the customer's point of view and make it a viable business. We believe that discoveries can only be made because we are developing technology from both perspectives.
ドクター取得のやり方はひとつじゃない
I decided to become a corporate engineer because I wanted to connect with society and develop technology that is closer to human senses. I also wanted to continue my research and pursue a PhD as part of my career development. In contrast to re-entering a university after graduating, there are many merits such as not having to pay the admission fee if you remain in the doctoral program from the master's degree, or because the previous year's income was low, it is easier to get a tuition exemption. As I was nearing retirement age, I decided that now was the time to pursue a PhD. It's not easy to balance office worker and doctoral course, but my current workplace respects and supports my career plan. I was assigned to a workplace where I could make the most of my specialty, and it became necessary to write a thesis at work. I was planning to do research for my doctoral degree in my private time, but the company's support has been very helpful.
IEEEでの活動
IEEEはアメリカに本部を置く電気・情報系の学会です。研究の話ができるコミュニティとして、IEEEには様々な団体があります。山形大学時代はTokyo Sectionのワークショップや学術イベントに参加していましたが、その際に東北地方（Sendai Section）でも同様のコミュニティができるよう、若手研究者支援団体であるYoung ProfessionalsというAffinity Groupでの活動を提案され、設立に至りました（https://ieee-jp.org/section/sendai/AG/yp/）。IEEEの支援のもと、ボランティアとして活動を行っています。ボランティアといっても、所属するメンバーには大きなメリットのある活動であると考えています。
We have invited researchers and engineers who are interested in us and held lectures, and planned and operated study sessions and workshops on smartphone application programs. The biggest advantage of Young Professionals is that you can connect with researchers from various universities and companies and form a community where you can talk outside the laboratory or workplace. Also, even if I am not a researcher, I would be happy if I could work with people who have many techniques and ways of thinking, even if they are in different fields. If you are interested in humanities or science, please contact us.
Introduction of IEEE events
・Lecture on career after obtaining a doctoral degree “Meeting to talk about doctoral course careers”
・Creating opportunities for exchange between students who are working hard on their research "IEEE TOWERS"
Participation is free of charge/no novelty required (you can just bring what has been announced in the past)/a large number of awards and prizes