【High School Students Wanted】A 3-Day Real-World Experience. Over 30 Companies in Aichi Broaden Career Horizons for High School Students with 'My Challenge Internship 2026' START!

The General Incorporated Association Asubashi (Nagoya City, Representative Director: Yoshitaka Menju) has started recruiting participants for the 'My Challenge Internship 2026 (commonly known as Summer My Challenge)', a practical internship program for high school students living or studying in Aichi Prefecture.

This summer's program involves 32 locally-rooted companies from sectors such as manufacturing, construction, food and beverage, beauty, and education. It provides a platform for high school students to discover 'what they can be passionate about' through 2-3 days of real-world cross-boundary experiences, enabling them to make high-quality career choices when they enter society at age 18. The application deadline is Friday, June 26, 2026. Participation is free.

■ 1. Event Overview

Name
My Challenge Internship 2026 (Summer My Challenge)

Organizer
General Incorporated Association Asubashi

Target
High school students living or studying in Aichi Prefecture

Implementation Period
Late July to August 2026 (approximately 2-3 days per company)

Participation Fee
Free

Application Method
Via the dedicated website ( https://asknet-mychalle.jp/ ) or FAX (052-881-5567)

Application Deadline
Friday, June 26, 2026

Participating Companies
32 companies across Aichi Prefecture, including manufacturing, construction, food and beverage, beauty, education, and public services.

Click here for details!

■ Why is an internship for high school students necessary now?

Many high school students have vague anxieties about their future, such as 'Why do I study?' or 'What am I good at?'. In fact, the turnover rate within three years for high school graduates who find employment is about 36%, indicating that many students choose their path 'for now' and later suffer from a mismatch after joining a company.

Based on over 20 years of field practice, Asubashi is convinced of a fact: 'What takes a university student three months to change can happen for a high school student in three days.'

By stepping out of school and into a 'real workplace', feeling the rhythm and passion of working professionals, the experience of understanding 'what you like about this job and what you find rewarding' with all five senses becomes the greatest weapon for finding a suitable career path and preventing future mismatches.

'Summer My Challenge' is a program where 32 companies in Aichi work hard and prepare authentic, gritty workplaces to nurture the region's youth together. By seeing the backs of working adults, high school students develop a sense of initiative and independence, thinking 'I want to decide my own future.'

■ Three Features of Summer My Challenge: Jump in with Confidence Even Without Knowledge!

Feature 1: 'Real Workplace' Challenges with Professionals

My Challenge Internship is not just a tour or a simple job experience. Students interact with adults working on-site and take on real tasks. Because they experience the real thing, the gap between image and reality is bridged, revealing their true strengths and providing solid criteria for future career choices, such as 'It's more interesting than I thought' or 'This might suit me.'

Feature 2: 'Cross-Boundary Experience' of 2-3 Days Compatible with School and Clubs

The implementation period is 2-3 days. It can be easily balanced with summer club activities, supplementary lessons, and exam study. From a light first step of 'let's try it out', students can gain a dense, authentic experience that can significantly change their future life and values.

Feature 3: Thorough Support with Pre- and Post-Program Learning to Turn Experience into Growth

The program doesn't just end with visiting a company. It includes 'pre-learning' to learn manners and mindset before the visit, and 'post-learning' to reflect on the experience afterward. Asubashi's specialized coordinators provide careful team support, ensuring that even first-time high school students can participate with confidence.

■ Voices of Participating High School Students (Verbatim from Past Participant Surveys)

'There was a real discovery from doing it, which is different from just researching.'

Even if you can learn about a job by researching, there might be something different about actually doing it. Even if I don't directly enter this occupation, I think the knowledge gained here will be useful.

'I was impressed by the craftsman's skill and my own change.'

The things the craftsmen made were very beautiful, and I was impressed by their skill. I also learned that the more you work proactively, the more you are recognized by others.

■ Comments from Parents

'The feeling you can't get from books or TV is very important (Parent of 2nd-year high school student)'

My child is in the second year of high school and often talks about what they want to be in the future. At that time, they were able to visit a workplace they were interested in. It was three days of learning how to draw blueprints and seeing them become a reality, so they didn't say much, but on the third day, they surprised the family with 'Look at this amazing thing!' I am grateful that these three precious days of actual workplace experience were very meaningful for my child. I think the feeling you can't get from books or TV is very important.

'They happily talked about their experience every day (Parent of 3rd-year high school student)'

Every day, my child happily talked about what they experienced. Being aware of work at an early stage broadens their options, and I think it helps them spend each day meaningfully towards a goal. I hope they will digest what they learned and broaden their image of the future.

Visit the My Challenge special site here!

■ Organizer: General Incorporated Association Asubashi

Asubashi is a group of experts with a mission to 'enable 18-year-olds to make high-quality choices when they enter society.' They have extensive experience in planning, developing, and implementing career education programs in collaboration with the community, primarily in Aichi Prefecture. They have launched a registered network called 'Career Support Network (CSN)' to support cross-boundary experiences for high school students, acting as a bridge between schools, companies, and the community.

Organization Name: General Incorporated Association Asubashi

Location: 〒456-0006 Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya City, Atsuta Ward, Sawashita-cho 8-5, Aichi Private School Hall East Building

Representative Director: Yoshitaka Menju

Established: 2012

Business Activities: Operation of practical internships for high school students (Summer My Challenge), support for recruitment, development, and retention of high school graduate talent (Pro-Career), operation of a career information platform for high school graduates (@18), and operation of a corporate community (CSN).