Elijah Price
Riding Beyond the Classroom: How IBSP Power-Tuned My Career in Employee Engagement
USA, Class of 2018
Elijah Price
Talent Specialist at Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
I’m a Talent Specialist at Specialized Bicycle Components, where I focus on employee engagement—designing programs that help people feel connected to their work, their teams, and our mission. My day ranges from listening tours and pulse surveys to building recognition initiatives and manager toolkits. The goal is simple: to create a workplace where talented people can do their best work and want to stay.
Why did you choose to study in the IBSP program at Soka University?
I decided to join Soka University’s International Business Studies Program (IBSP) because I wanted to build a versatile foundation in business while also finding purpose in my professional life. Soka’s mission—to nurture the creative, life-enhancing potential of each student and inspire them to use it for the greater benefit of humanity—deeply resonated with me. The program’s balance of academic rigor, cultural diversity, and real-world experience offered the kind of education I was searching for.
What stood out most during my time at Soka was the diversity of the professors and classmates. The faculty brought insights from a variety of industries and international backgrounds, making every course practical and globally relevant. My classmates came from different countries and professional sectors, and working together on group projects felt like running a global business workshop. I also had the opportunity to intern with a Japanese company, which provided first-hand experience in Japan’s corporate culture and strengthened my understanding of cross-cultural teamwork.
After graduation, I was fortunate to join the International Labour Organization (ILO), a specialized agency of the United Nations. My internship there evolved into a full-time role as a Junior Human Resources Officer—an experience that laid the foundation for my current passion for employee engagement.
How has your experience at IBSP benefited you in your current career?
The IBSP program equipped me with both technical knowledge and the mindset to apply it meaningfully. The professors encouraged us to go beyond theory and to think about how business can serve society. The program’s collaborative environment taught me adaptability, empathy, and cultural fluency—all essential in my HR work today. Studying business in Tokyo also continues to be a conversation starter with employers; even when they are unfamiliar with Soka University, they recognize the unique global perspective it provides.
What advice would you give to prospective students who are considering joining IBSP?
Take your coursework seriously, but invest just as much in your relationships with professors and classmates. Those bonds will outlast deadlines and exams—they’re the network that supports whatever you decide to pursue next, whether that’s HR like me, or a completely different path.