Who am I
Flash bio: I’m Sebastian, a Peruvian baby boomer based in the beautiful science city of Tsukuba, Japan. I used to be a lawyer and, in some ways, an economic development adviser before transitioning into recruitment in 2015. I love reading, jumping the wire, nature, red wine, traveling (my wife and I consider ourselves children of the beach), and collecting caudex plants and cacti.
More About Me for Curious Readers:
My passion lies in the intersection of global trends—particularly technologies like AI—and human capital. That’s why I chose to work in the recruitment industry: I wanted to be a firsthand witness to what the labor market values most in employees and potential hires
My Professional Journey
Although I’ve been a recruiter since 2015, my path to it took some interesting turns.
I studied law and political science at a time when my university combined both majors into one, with only a few subjects related to political science. Although political science—and, indirectly, development—piqued my interest the most, I procrastinated making the “right decision” for some time and instead worked as a legal adviser and lawyer.
Eventually, my curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to pursue a master’s degree in international public policy (with a focus on development) in Japan. After that, I worked in the public sector in Peru.
For about two years, I had a portfolio career, during which I taught Spanish and English, did some work with a Japanese organization related to international development, and wrote development-related blogs in Spanish—but that didn’t really take off.
My Intellectual Journey
I’ve been interested in a variety of topics, from climate change to misinformation, but the one constant has always been the human factor. As a lawyer, I was particularly drawn to labor law. And during my master’s in international public policy (2008–2010), I first started learning about the skills of the 21st century.
One day, I asked myself: “If you want to be a firsthand witness to what the labor market is demanding from global talent, where would you go?” You guessed it.
Ever since, while gaining invaluable insights from the recruitment world, I have also explored a wide range of books and publications—covering everything from technology to career choice, and from various perspectives, including both the “follow your passion and change the world” advocates and the skills-first pragmatists.
My Life Journey
I never intended to live in Japan. Study brought me here the first time, and love brought me back the second. In fact, as a child growing up in a tiny town in the Peruvian Andes, I never imagined I would end up this far east.
Now, I live a tranquil life—just an hour away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo—with my wife, two sons, and plenty of cacti.
What Brought Me to Write This Blog
Long story short: I love reading, forming ideas, and shaping them into something tangible. And what’s better than writing about a topic one feels truly passionate about?
Short story long: I embarked on a long journey to better understand some of the biggest riddles in the world of work:
Companies keep complaining that they can’t find the talent they need.
Globally, the percentage of disengaged employees is higher than that of engaged employees.
…the list can continue.
That journey began in 2010 and gained momentum and a renewed sense of urgency with a new riddle: AI and jobs.
So, some of the questions I’ve been seeking answers to are:
Why do so many people seem unhappy in the labor market?
Are global disruptors – such as GenAI – making it harder to choose a career in an increasingly interconnected world?
services
Coming soon…
Counseling and Support On:
. Work&Job Hunting in Japan
. Career Choice&Development
(With Global Mindset)
Jobs
Comprehensive job search support for job seekers