Commerce-to-CS transfer who joined Hootsuite as a new-grad software engineer
No Japan work experience; US college bridge → SFU Computer Science co-ops → Hootsuite (LinkedIn) in 2023.
ソフトウェアエンジニア · Vancouver · Hootsuite
Profile
Kodai (20s) is a software engineer at Hootsuite in Vancouver. Japan commerce graduate with no Japan employment; earned a Canadian CS path via transfer into Simon Fraser University.
Current role
Software engineer at Hootsuite (joined 2023; found via LinkedIn). Chose Hootsuite over a startup offer for ownership in development. Prepared with LeetCode, system design, algorithms, and behavioral “5 whys” practice.
Japan experience
Career changer relative to software employment: Japan university commerce degree, then immediate study abroad—no Japan job search or work experience is stated. He felt limited positive future images around domestic work and wanted portable, internationally flexible skills; Computer Science was chosen as the practical path.
Path to Canada / North America
About one year at a Washington State college (ESL + some CS credits) after initially considering a U.S. university path, then SFU CS for roughly three years with limited arts-to-CS credit transfer. Multiple co-ops (about three listed on LinkedIn) via LinkedIn and school boards—competing with UBC/BCIT postings—prioritizing production code and cross-team communication over class-only projects.
Outcome
New-grad hire at Hootsuite in a difficult 2023 market after structured interview prep. Months-to-offer not stated.
Based on Frog’s Japanese-language interview. English summary for scanning (partners / employers). Original interview (Japanese)
Attributes route=college but narrative is university (SFU); followed interview facts.