キャリア

Definition

A long-term professional journey in a particular field. Japan is seeing a shift from traditional lifetime employment (終身雇用 shuushin koyou) toward more diverse career paths.

Example

Etymology

The term 'キャリア' (kyaria) is derived from the English word 'career', adopted into Japanese in the late 20th century as the country underwent significant changes in its work culture and social structure. It has evolved to encompass not only professional paths but also personal development.

How & Where It’s Used

'キャリア' is predominantly used in formal contexts relating to job and professional discussions, commonly in both spoken and written Japanese. It is widely recognized across Japan with no significant regional variations, often used in corporate environments and educational settings.

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