This month marks the end of my six-year journey at the University of Electro-Communications (UEC, 電気通信大学), a national university located in Chofu City, Japan. From my undergraduate studies to my graduate program, the time has been both challenging and rewarding.
Due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains unclear whether a graduation ceremony will be held. If there is one, it will likely be the only time I return to the campus after completing my studies.
As I prepare to graduate, I feel a mix of emotions—relief that my long academic journey is over and a touch of melancholy for leaving behind a familiar and comfortable environment.
Reflecting on my experiences, I recall how my job-hunting process led me to read numerous “Resignation Entries.” These posts, written by engineers who left their jobs at manufacturers or IT companies, offered candid insights into their careers and former workplaces. Inspired by this concept, I decided to write my own “Graduation Entry” to share my perspective on UEC, which might serve as a useful resource for prospective students.
1. Was Studying at the University of Electro-Communications Worth It?
Let’s start with the fundamental question: “Was it worth studying at UEC?” For me personally, the answer is yes.
Of course, the value of a university experience depends on individual goals. Comparing universities is inherently difficult, as impressions of other institutions are often second-hand. However, UEC suited me well.
So, what kind of person might find UEC a good fit? Based on my experience, here are some traits:
- An interest in STEM and research/development: This is a basic prerequisite.
- A career-focused mindset: UEC is better suited for students who prioritize their professional paths over leisure during university life.
- A desire for hands-on learning: UEC provides opportunities to engage deeply in research rather than simply acquiring credentials.
While these characteristics could apply to many STEM-focused universities, UEC stands out for specific reasons:
- It is a national university located relatively close to Tokyo.
- Its moderate admission difficulty offers a balance between accessibility and strong evaluations during the job-hunting process.
If these aspects align with your goals, UEC is unlikely to disappoint. At least, that was my experience.
2. UEC’s Reputation in the Job Market
Before enrolling, I had heard about UEC’s strong reputation in the job market, particularly from alumni and upperclassmen. I came to understand this reputation firsthand during my own job-hunting process.
Among my peers, very few faced rejection solely due to academic qualifications. Career outcomes were largely dependent on individual skills and preparation. For example:
- A friend interested in the automotive industry received offers from both the largest and second-largest companies in the sector.
- Another friend aiming for major telecom carriers was accepted by all the top players.
- Personally, I applied to 10 leading companies in the Systems Integration (SI) industry, received offers from five, and withdrew from the remaining five during the interview process.
However, UEC’s strengths are industry-specific. Its reputation is particularly strong in IT and manufacturing, while areas like food, pharmaceuticals, or pure chemistry are less competitive. Fields such as materials, chemical engineering, architecture, consulting, and media offer moderate opportunities, but IT and manufacturing remain UEC’s forte.
STEM industries often prioritize technical expertise and practical skills over academic pedigree, which aligns well with UEC’s strengths. For example, IT companies focusing on web development sometimes seek specific industry-oriented skills that UEC graduates may lack due to their academic focus. This was the area I personally found most challenging.
Two key factors seem to contribute to UEC’s job market success:
- Career-focused culture: Students at UEC often prioritize their future careers over campus life, resulting in a driven and well-prepared alumni network.
- Specialization in information and communication technology: As implied by its name, UEC has a long history of producing IT professionals, aligning perfectly with the growing demand for digitalization across industries.
Still, prospective students interested in non-IT fields should be cautious. It is not uncommon for UEC graduates to find themselves assigned IT-related roles even in industries that appear unrelated.
3. Beyond IT: UEC’s Academic Breadth
Although UEC is widely recognized for its strength in IT, its academic scope is broader than one might expect. Approximately one-third of its research labs specialize in hardware-related fields such as mechanical engineering and semiconductors. The university also offers programs in biology, chemistry, physics, and other areas.
In essence, UEC provides opportunities to explore any field as long as computational tools are involved. For example, even humanities professors at UEC use databases to analyze language and cultural trends. This demonstrates how deeply the university integrates computational approaches across disciplines.
However, UEC’s strong emphasis on IT sometimes leads to mismatches with societal expectations. Recognizing this, the university has been making efforts to diversify, particularly in biotechnology. For instance, research on DNA and antibodies has gained momentum. Still, the lack of alumni in biotech fields makes it challenging for graduates to enter pharmaceutical companies.
While biotechnology is not a major focus yet, if it were to gain prominence similar to AI or IoT, UEC graduates might find themselves better positioned.
4. The Reality of Campus Life at UEC
Unlike the idyllic “campus life” often portrayed in TV dramas, student life at UEC revolves around academics. Days are filled with classes, experiments, and lab reports—essentially mini academic papers spanning dozens of pages.
Managing this workload requires discipline. For me, the cycle of experiments and weekly reports left little time for social events or extracurricular activities. Even though I managed to play futsal, participate in matches, and work multiple part-time jobs, all-nighters were common.
For students interested in pursuing hobbies or extracurriculars, long breaks provide the best opportunities. However, these “breaks” often involve internships or independent study rather than leisure.
In my view, the rigorous academic environment at UEC reflects students’ genuine belief in the value of learning—a sentiment that shapes their experience more than external pressures.
5. Graduation Rates and Graduate School Trends
Unofficially, it’s said that around 30% of UEC students experience delayed graduation, though official figures are slightly lower. This often occurs for students who struggle to adapt to UEC’s culture or academic rigor.
Despite this, about 70% of straight graduates continue to graduate school—a natural next step for many who seek advanced research opportunities and enhanced employability.
This “Graduation Entry” represents my personal experiences and perspectives as a UEC student. While it’s not an exhaustive review, I hope it provides some insight into what studying at UEC entails.
Thank you for taking the time to read.
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