I am a 30-year-old bachelor’s graduate in software engineering from a Canadian university. I graduated last year and have been working for almost a year now. Unfortunately, my company will be laying off my entire department in the next few months.
Given this situation, I am considering my options. I see two possible paths:
- Look for a new job at Japan.
- Pursue a master's degree while job hunting.
Due to my personal interest in Japan, I passed the JLPT N2 exam last year. I have been thinking about whether I should try looking for opportunities in Japan after learning about laying off. From graduation from university to present working, I have been actively job hunting, I know how difficult it is now. This has made me anxious about my future prospects.
On the one hand, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to find a job in Japan. I’m aware that the salary and working environment there may not be as good as in Canada, but I feel that having a job—any job—is better than being unemployed. As a programmer, I also worry that if I’m out of work for a long time, my skills will deteriorate.
However, I am also concerned about pursuing a master's degree, as I know several friends who completed their master's last year and are still struggling to find a job.
Given all this, I would really appreciate advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation. In your experience, which path offers better chances of finding a job: pursuing a master’s degree, or trying to find work in Japan with my current qualifications and language skills? I’m trying to figure out which option is more practical and realistic in today’s job market. Any insights or personal experiences would be very helpful. Thank you！！！
by TonyPuzzle