Kohei Shima

University of Michigan, Ross School of Business

“I’m driven by a passion for transforming society through the construction industry.”

Hometown: Takarazuka, Japan

Fun Fact About Yourself: I bought my first car in Ann Arbor!

Undergraduate School and Major: Akita International University, Global Business

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Obayashi Corporation, Assistant Manager

Michigan Ross is best known for experiential learning programming like MAP, Living Business Leadership Experience, and the Leadership Crisis Challenge. What experiential program interests you the most? For me, the MAP project is the most exciting program at Ross because it will be my first time doing business outside of Japan. This real-world business experience is what I was looking for in an MBA program. I have some experience working with several global clients in Japan, but most of the projects were domestic and I have never worked abroad, including business travel. I am looking forward to working in the innovative environment of the US and meeting and interacting with the best talent in the world.

I also love the way Ross has organized its academic programs and MAP projects. I will be able to complete most of the core courses before jumping into the MAP project. I can use this opportunity to test and apply the knowledge and skills I will gain through the program. The experience at Ross is well-guided but has a lot of flexibility and freedom to customize for my goals.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Michigan Ross’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? As a corporate-sponsored student, Michigan Ross’ versatile program was one of the deciding factors. After Ross, I will return to my current employer, Obayashi Corporation. I will be considered one of the candidates for future management. Obayashi has a diverse business portfolio with a primary focus on architecture and civil construction, but also invests in real estate development and sustainable energy. Obayashi also has a strong overseas sales network. I believe that the multi-dimensional programs at Ross will provide essential experience to successfully lead this diversified company to be a global leader in the construction industry.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at Michigan Ross? I am excited about all the cross-cultural opportunities at Ross. I really want people to learn more about Japan. Japan is not just about sushi and ramen! We have beautiful mountains and rivers, deep tradition and history, and amazing arts and entertainment. As a member of the Japan Business Association, I will be hosting the Japan Trek. I look forward to introducing my classmates to Japan’s perfect blend of tradition and modern culture.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2026? Why? I think my resilience and flexibility is something I can offer my classmates. Everyone at Ross is at a turning point in their lives, and we all experience change here. However, I know how to adapt to new environments and build communities, and I am always willing to help my classmates. In my professional life, I have overcome high-stakes situations such as the earthquake recovery work in Japan. On my personal side, I have moved within and outside of Japan every 3-4 years since the age of 18. With my resilience and flexibility, I can be someone my classmates can always talk to.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I took the initiative in the reconstruction work of the earthquake that struck Japan on January 1, 2024. Technically, I was in charge of everything except for construction. I managed the logistics of living needs such as housing, clothing, and food for all team members and construction workers. I also played a key role in contract management and budget control. It was not an easy decision to leave my home and my wife and go to the severely damaged area with the risk of aftershocks. However, I am glad to be part of the meaningful effort to recover from the disaster, and I will never forget the “thank you” sign that the local people made from earthquake debris.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Michigan Ross’s MBA program? I would say the most important thing is to trust yourself. The MBA journey is a long project and never follows a linear path.  I spent 1.5 years on my application process. Sometimes, I felt less motivated for no particular reason. Other times, I felt devastated because my English skills did not seem to improve, and sometimes I went back-and-forth in my essays and interview preparation. But I find that all these struggles were not in vain. All these efforts are really helping me in my life at Ross. So trust yourself and go blue!

DON’T MISS: MEET THE MICHIGAN ROSS MBA CLASS OF 2026