Hi all.
I went through 2 years of language school starting in 2018, went back home for 2 years during COVID (thought that was only going to last for 6 months, ha) and a further 2 years at a computer-related vocational school in Osaka, having graduated this spring.
I got a shinsotsu naitei job ("systems engineering") straight out of school when I graduated this spring, and while the job environment is fine (if a little unfulfilling), I must acknowledge that part of the reason I took this job was convenience (it is very easy to get to from my home, and I can wear whatever I want/keep my beard etc). There are some other advantages to working here, notably freedom to learn and utilize tools that I want to learn (for example my most recent project I was assigned I was allowed to do it in any language I wished, so I chose Rust, which I imagine is not a programming language widely used in Japan as of yet). I can't help but think that I am probably massively wasting my potential here and earning a much lower salary than I think I could get with my skills, so I am looking for advice. I am earning what I am told is on the higher end of shinsotsu salaries in Kansai, around ¥220-230,000/month before tax. While I am not exactly struggling to pay rent, nor am I desperate to leave this job because of a terrible environment, looking at my paycheck while knowing the pay range for similar work back home and seeing how much some other software engineers with similar backgrounds on this sub are making is pretty depressing.
For context, I live in Osaka with my wife, and opted to get a spousal/dependent visa rather than a working visa for the additional freedom that would afford me, so visa sponsorship is not really a concern. I am in my mid-twenties, from rural northern Michigan in the US.
I got my N1 about 2 years ago. I understand that doesn't actually mean all that much, but for practical purposes I don't ever really struggle with understanding written or spoken Japanese outside of some exceptionally technical vocabulary, and my spoken Japanese is better than most English speakers in Japan that I know. I mention the N1 mostly because I know it looks good to a potential employer.
I took an interest in computing/built my first PC back in high school a bit over a decade ago now, and have been a home Linux user ever since (finally fully removed Windows from all of my systems recently thanks to advances in Proton compatibility). I took IT courses at the local community college in lieu of some high school classes (had an option to get high school credits there) from 2013-2015. I did some light programming back then just to see if I was interested, and while it isn't exactly my passion in life I was good (certainly no 10x programmer but top 3-ish in any class of 30 students I've been in) enough at it and enjoyed it enough to pursue it for work, leading me to where I am now.
So, long story short, I have some skills in Linux/BSD (as much as has been necessary for my personal use), as well as knowledge and some limited experience with a number of programming languages (most comfortable in Rust, Python, Java), and basic general IT/server admin knowledge (I learned basic Cisco admin at school, and can set up and run Docker instances, have a home server running pi-hole etc etc). I am interested in and somewhat knowledgeable about open source and the underlying philosophy/common licenses. Basically, I know a little bit about a lot of IT/software topics, but I have almost no actual certifications to show for it (I got Oracle Java Bronze certification through school, but haven't bothered to spend money on getting any certs on my own). I'm reasonably confident that I could sail through basic Linux/UNIX certification, and probably a number of other certs as well, if I had to.
Long term, the dream is to find a fully remote job for a US company so I can spend part time back in the US, and most of my time in Japan. I realize this is a dream and definitely not realistic until I at least get some more experience on my resume, so looking for help figuring out how I can eventually realize that. My wife and I are planning to move to the US in probably ~10-15 years, when we have kids and those kids are around middle school age, though if an incredible opportunity came up that required relocation right now we would not be opposed to it. Would much prefer to avoid living in Tokyo if possible for a number of reasons, though I suppose it wouldn't be impossible for the right job.
With that out of the way, I was hoping I could get some advice on what I should do to advance my career now in order to be making more than ¥300,000/month in my thirties…
Should I stick it out at my company for at least a year or 2 in order to get that experience on my resume, or should I be looking now? Are certifications an absolute necessity to even get my foot in the door at better paying employers? Any recommendations for places that might be hiring or recruiters I could speak to?
Lastly, an anecdote: last winter, while waiting to start my current job, I had a recommendation from a friend to apply at [well known video game company]. Native English speaker, JLPT N1, programming skills, should be easy, or so we thought. Despite my friend and his coworker pulling for me from within the company, and being a strong candidate compared to the majority of other potential hires (N3 or worse, no programming experience is typical of applicants I am told), I was rejected on the basis of only having completed a 2 year vocational school course rather than having gone to a 4 year university. This doesn't particularly bother me, as working at a games company isn't something I am massively interested in, but their reasoning to reject me has got me worried about other job prospects…
Thanks in advance!
Edit TL;DR:
I am an American living in Osaka. I have JLPT N1 and good general IT/software skills, graduated from a 2 year vocational school (not a 4 year university) for systems engineering and have a job doing SE. I got hired as a shinsotsu, feel like I am underpaid for my skillset, what should I do?
Edit 2:
I do appreciate the helpful responses I've gotten. Long story short, going to have to tough it out a couple years before moving up without a 4 year degree, which is doable. Will work on getting actual certifications to prove that I'm not talking out of my ass in the meantime, thank you all.
by t2opoint0hh