[Event Report] Expanding Career Possibilities Through DX: The 3rd Drupal MeetUp Nara Was Held
"Drupal MeetUp Nara", an event aimed at exploring how DX can open new doors in your career, took place on March 21, 2025, at the Nara Convention Center.
In this report, we’ll share highlights from the day.
Opening Session: Sharing Visions for a DX-Driven Career
This community-driven event brought together people interested in DX (Digital Transformation) and Drupal, with the aim of exchanging career ideas and real-world experiences.
The session began with an introduction outlining the purpose of the event and the vision moving forward. Attendees were encouraged to think about how to build new careers and explore ideal workstyles through DX.
How to Build a New Career
At the beginning of the meetup, participants shared the purpose and vision of this event, setting the stage for meaningful discussions.
💡 Let’s seize new opportunities as DX professionals
💡 DX is essential for future careers—and Drupal is one powerful tool to support it
💡 Why not start your DX career journey from Nara?
There were also easy-to-follow explanations of what Drupal is, and how DX plays a key role in today’s tech landscape—particularly useful for those new to the field.
One of the presentation slides offered beginner-friendly insights into topics like:
What is Drupal?
What is DX?
What kinds of career paths exist in Japan for DX professionals?
Theme Session： Inside the Workday of Three Remote DX Professionals
A major highlight of the event was a session featuring three individuals sharing what a typical remote workday looks like in their lives:
Suzuki-san, a Drupal engineer balancing DX work and parenting
Fukagawa-san, based in Nara, who transitioned into DX from another industry
Naoe-san, known for her Drupal updates, while also managing household responsibilities
Key takeaways included:
- Pros and cons of remote work
- Strategies for overcoming common remote work challenges
- Different motivations for choosing remote work
- How to communicate effectively in remote settings
The speakers also answered questions from the audience and organizers, helping to clarify what working in DX actually entails, and what remote work is really like on a day-to-day basis.
〜 Messages from the speakers 〜
Suzuki-san:
“Sometimes, the best ideas don’t come from the desk—but from small moments during daily chores.”
Fukagawa-san:
“Remote work really hinges on good communication. And I deeply appreciate the value of in-person events like this one in Nara ❤️”
Naoe-san:
“Thanks to remote work, my partner and I can continue our careers while raising our children peacefully.”
During the Q&A, participants asked thoughtful questions and shared personal concerns, making for a meaningful exchange.
Drupal Community Updates from MeetUp Haneda Organizer
Another session featured Naoe-san, an active organizer of Drupal MeetUp Haneda, who shared insights into current trends in the Drupal community—particularly upcoming events and ways to get involved.
One of the resources he recommended was:
Drupal Conってなに？Drupalの基本を学ぼう(3)〜Meetup Nara での学びをシェア〜
In a related update, Suzuki-san will be attending DrupalCon Atlanta, and snapshots from the event are expected to be shared in the next Meetup Nara.
Participant Impressions
Here’s what some of the attendees had to say:
- “I learned that flexible work styles are possible depending on individual life situations.”
- “It was great to hear actual daily work schedules—really insightful.”
- “I currently have a child in daycare, but once they start elementary school, the available hours for childcare decrease. I’ve been worried about commuting to a distant office, but this event helped me visualize remote work as a real option.”
- “I had never heard of tools like Gather for remote communication—super interesting!”
- “I’m still not sure what Drupal is or what I can do with it, but now I want to look into it on my own.”
DXTimes Highlighted as a Drupal Use Case
The event also introduced DXTimes, a media site built with KamihayaCMS, a Drupal distribution tailored for content-driven projects.
It served as a real-world example of how Drupal can support digital communication in Japan.
Reports from previous MeetUp Nara sessions can be found in the News section of DXTimes.
Visit the English site of DXTimes here: https://dxtimes.net/en
※ Please note: If an English version of an article is not available, the Japanese version will be displayed instead.
Looking Ahead: Next Meetup
Upcoming Event Details
Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Theme: “A Practical Roadmap to Becoming a DX Professional – Career Change From Scratch”
The next session will focus on how anyone can begin a career in DX, even without a technical background. It’s especially relevant for parents and caregivers who are seeking career continuity without compromising family life.
Topics will include:
- What kind of work is involved in DX?
- Where should you start learning?
- What concrete steps can you take?
The session promises to offer practical advice and a supportive space for attendees to discover new career ideas in the world of DX.
