When I graduated college, it was not easy to find regular/full time jobs during the employment "ice age" in Japan.
We should be thankful that we had a full time job at least.
I couldn't be picky of course...

First, I was working at a trading company for 3+ years. My　assignments were negotiated about the price with suppliers, and checking export and import documents.
After that, with this career, I got offer from an international courier company, and I was in the sales division for several years. Finally,I became a sales manager.

My work got on the right track, and I had a lot of wonderful workpeople.
I intended to continue the field, but one day I asked myself "Is this really that I want be?".

As previously stated, it was not easy to find regular/full time jobs during the employment "ice age" in Japan when I graduated college.

Think about my future seriously, and I realized that I've been interested in computer science for a long time.
I feel cool when I see the job introduction of white hat hacker on TV, or I'm impressed technological progress of AI every time.
Besides, when I was in high school, blogging was mainstream, and I used HTML and CSS to post blogs without knowing that it was one of the programming languages ​​at the time.
It was fun to change the design with that magic language, and I was posting every day.
Few years later, I knew it "programming".

Nowadays, there are almost no industries that are not related to IT and computers, and programmers are needed in various fields.
Also, using electronic devices such as computers and smartphones in our daily life have become an obvious thing to do.
Of course, I am surrounded by technologies. I have three laptops, two iPads, one iPhone, and one Apple Watch...

Programming languages ​​are basically universal, so if I have solid skills, I may be able to move to various countries such as the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

Also, there are five more advantages that I think to learn it:

• Work style that is not constrained by place or time

Programming is basically work using a computer. As long as you have a computer and skills, you can work.
You can work at home, or even in a café if you have a laptop. Since you can make effective use of the time you do not need to commute, you can also secure time for housework and hobbies what ever.
In particular, due to the influence of Covid-19, the number of cases involving the risk of infection during commuting is increasing. If you can learn programming and belong to a company that allows remote work. You can work without going outside.

• To be creative

Through learning programming, you can develop your imagination.
There is always a "goal" that you want to achieve in programming, and there is more than one way to achieve it.
Depending on which implementation method is adopted, performance such as processing speed will also change. By actively searching for better programming methods to achieve your goals, your creativity will also improve.
The knowledge of programming that can give shape to idea. You may be able to create a service that will change society!?

• Ability to think logically and solve problems

In programming, you learn "what kind of code you write and how the computer works" and think "what is the cause" every time an error occurs, so you can naturally train your logical thinking. Logical thinking is a power that can be used in everyday life and personal troubles. No matter what job you take, you will need it.

• Expanding career options

Learning programming opens up career options.
It is a useful skill not only for engineers who use programming, but also for those who work outside the IT industry.For example, if you are in an IT sales position, you can convey the appeal of IT products to clients in an easy-to-understand manner.
Also, even if you are in a completely unrelated industry, just being familiar with IT, such as computer operation and LAN/Wi-Fi settings, will be a strength. It could be useful for daily life as well.
If you are a company that has engineers in-house, or if you are involved with engineers in relation to work, it will be easier to communicate with engineers using your knowledge.
Just by learning programming, the range of careers such as engineers, IT sales jobs, and non-IT jobs that require IT knowledge will expand considerably.

• Easy to get a job with high demand and future potential

Learning programming will make it easier for you to get a job with high demand and high potential.
It is not easy to determine job demand and future potential, but it is said that both demand and future potential are high in the IT industry, where the latest technologies such as AI is likely to come.
Japan is facing a shortage of IT personnel.

So, I decided to jump into new field, and to go for a programmer.

I searched many schools and colleges which I can learn programming, and one day I found a pop up in a certain SNS said why not to study abroad if you learn programming.
Once I saw it, I thought "This is it!".

Now, I become a college student, again in Vancouver, CANADA. Foreign country, second language, new people, new friends.

I think other students have had a particular experience, but I haven't. That made me anxious, but everything I learn is flesh. I'm so excited.

My web development course was started this Tuesday.
This week we just lean most basic subject such as Intro to Computing something like what is hardware or software.It's very basic, but I'm a little confused already. It's okey. Just learn which I don't know.

I chose this college because knowledge can be learned intensively and
Learn on-site techniques.

I want to learn the basic concepts of programming in class, experience in practice, and become a person who can work immediately.

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In conclusion, some people said you are not young, so you have to give up, but I think it's wrong.

"Better late than never."
（Japanese:たとえ何かをやるのが遅れたとしても、やらないよりはマシ）

Right?

This post is the first page of my new life.

Maiko