Haruna & Takeshi — VanArts Web/UI Graduates, Vancouver
Two career changers who completed VanArts’ one-year Web Development & Interactive Design program and shipped a team app project—without prioritizing Canadian full-time hire as the end goal.
UI/UXデザイン&フロントエンド · Vancouver
Profile
Haruna and Takeshi completed VanArts’ Web Development & Interactive Design program. Both in 20s; background 未経験 for this job type; no employer named. Interview shortly after graduation: Haruna returning to Japan university; Takeshi staying longer for a partner and possible work.
Current role
Recent graduates continuing a class-origin app project (React web app first; later React Native planned) toward release. Haruna returning late March to resume senior year and job hunt in Japan. Takeshi planning some Canada work on working holiday (at least ~6 months mentioned) without full-time focus on the app alone.
Japan experience
Career changers (未経験) into web/UI. Haruna: policy studies student on leave; ~2 years internship helping launch an Osaka branch of a custom wedding production company (ended March prior year)—not web industry tenure. Takeshi: education faculty graduate who left the teacher path; Japan full-time tech years not stated (world travel before Vancouver). Exact web/industry Japan years: not applicable / not stated as prior web professionals.
Path to Canada / North America
Haruna chose VanArts for a one-year leave covering web + design in an English country; March intake timing; Canada was already of interest. Takeshi: Philippines English (~3 months), Australia working holiday (~6 months), further travel, then Vancouver; started BCIT language path aiming at PGWP, switched to VanArts when IELTS fell short of spring BCIT IT entry. Takeshi had not returned to Japan for 3+ years at interview.
Outcome
Finished the intensive year; team product ongoing. Paths diverge from classic local permanent hire—Japan job search (Haruna) and flexible Canada work/partner priorities (Takeshi).
Based on Frog’s Japanese-language interview. English summary for scanning. Original interview (Japanese)
Dual subject; not a local permanent-hire outcome story.