Cum laude
Raj obtained her bachelor's degree in communication arts, major in journalism, at Bicol University in Legazpi City, with Latin honors ("cum laude"). She graduated through the scholarship that she received from the Francis Papica Foundation. She initially worked as an Information Assistant for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for Bicol Region. It was at this time that she also worked as a part-time fashion model in both her native Bicol and Manila.