Farming upgrade materials and coins is extremely fast and easy, and doesn't limit the player at all; unless, of course, you are nearing the end of this journey and are having a bout of bad luck. Even with bad luck though, you should easily have had all 100 AF2-1 pieces drop for you in the 2 year time span. AF1+1 materials are more limited in nature, but a problem shouldn't arise unless you are upgrading 1 job at a time.
As for learning how to play a job: it isn't remotely relevant to the topic at hand.