Hi everyone, I need some advice. I have a bachelor’s degree and I’m planning to move to Japan to build a career in marketing/UI/UX. I’m going to learn UI UX design in my home country. Here’s my situation:
• I currently have JLPT N3 and want to reach N2 before working.
• I’m considering either:
1. Career Japanese + vocational school to improve Japanese + build a professional portfolio, then find a job.
2. English-taught Master’s program in Japan for a degree.
My main concerns:
• If I go for Career Japanese, will it count as a career gap? It would be about 2 years before I can start full-time work.
• I want to maximize my job readiness and income by 2028.
• I also want to do UI/UX or marketing projects during this time to strengthen my resume.
I’m torn between the “safe” route (Master’s) and the “fast-track, skill-focused” route (Career Japanese + vocational school).
Questions:
1. For recruiters in Japan, will Career Japanese be considered a gap if I do nothing else?
2. Would doing part-time jobs or portfolio projects during this time make it “acceptable”?
3. Which path would realistically get me a decent paying job in Japan faster?
Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!
by TypicalBusiness366