I’m currently in my first year working in Japan under ssw visa. I’m 29 years old and originally from a developing country. Back home, I went to college but dropped out during my thesis, so I never graduated.
Now I really want to start a new career. The problem is, I know I’m not that young anymore. I learned Japanese up to N4 in about 4 months, and I’m planning to study hard to reach N2/N1 before I turn 32.
The career I want to shift into is IT, since I really enjoy working with computers. But for the gijinkoku visa a bachelor’s degree is a strict requirement. The issue is, with an SSW visa, I’m not allowed to attend college/univ
I thought about doing an online bachelor’s degree, but I read that it could be a problem with immigration later when applying for a visa change. They might not accept it, since it’s considered that I studied while working under SSW, which is prohibited. That worries me.
My only other option seems to be going to a senmon gakko after I reach N2. But if I go that route, I’d probably be 33 when I start, and around 35–36 when I graduate and look for IT jobs. From what I’ve heard, senmon gakko graduates face more restrictions and it’s harder to find jobs compared to people with university degrees.
So I’m really torn right now. Should I try for an online degree and risk immigration issues later, or aim for senmon gakko even though it’s later in life and harder to land a good job? is my dream realistic ?
by KanashiSalmon