Our First Careers Expo
Our First Careers Expo
Sunday, 23 November 2008
About 12 weeks ago, shortly before he arrived in Hong Kong to begin classes at LPCUWC, Pibo Shongwe attended a careers fair at Waterford KaMhlaba United World College in his home country of Swaziland. Within his first fortnight in Hong Kong, Pibo had asked me whether he might be able to help organise a similar event here. Coincidentally, I had been been speaking with the UWC Graduates’ Organisation in Hong Kong about exactly the same concept - inviting UWC graduates to the campus to share their expertise regarding the careers and professions they had pursued since their graduation.
Yesterday afternoon, just two months after Pibo had first suggested the idea, we held our first careers expo in the main courtyard of our campus. Despite the short notice, more than 20 graduates came, representing a range of diverse professions including the media, creativity, NGOs, engineering, education, psychology, architecture, medicine, health care and academia. Although the timing was difficult, being on a Saturday afternoon that clashed with some service activities, the attendance comprised a steady, interested, motivated, enquiring and appreciative flow of 1st and 2nd Year students from the College.
I am very grateful to Pibo for his initiative, and to the Hong Kong UWC Graduates’ Organisation for their willing support of our students in this way. Thanks are also due to our Alumni Co-ordinator, Esther Chau, and to the students of GCAT who assisted Pibo with the setting up of the courtyard for the event.
To give you some idea of the flavour of the event, some photos appear below, each of which can be clicked to see or download an enlargement.
1st Year student, Pibo Shongwe, who organised our inaugural careers expo in co-operation with UWC graduates in Hong Kong