To help new students gain a clear understanding of career prospects and industry demands early in their academic journey, while highlighting the International School's unique approach to global career development, the International School at Guangzhou Huashang College organized a series of career planning lectures during the 2024 orientation season. Eight distinguished guests—including entrepreneurs, executives, scholars, and professionals with overseas work experience—were invited to deliver six thematic sessions, providing freshmen with rich insights and guidance on career development.

1. Global Talent Development: Becoming Youth Leaders with International Competence

On the morning of September 10, 2024, the International School invited Ms. Mao Xiaoling, General Manager of Guangzhou Youfang International Labor Services Co., Ltd. , to analyze the overseas expansion stages of Chinese enterprises and their talent demands. She dissected key job competencies and encouraged students to proactively enhance their skills during their studies.

Ms. Mao emphasized that serving the nation and contributing to global governance should be long-term career goals, inspiring students to embrace international challenges and showcase the capabilities of Chinese youth on the world stage. The lecture broadened students’ career perspectives, aligning professional aspirations with national development.

2.International Corporate Executives and Experts Share Development Prospects and Career Requirements for Early Childhood Education

On the afternoon of September 10, 2024, the International School invited Wang Aijie, Vice President of a Canadian international education group, to deliver a special lecture titled "Current Status of International School Kindergarten Education and Talent Quality Requirements." On the afternoon of September 12, 2024, Professor Ding Jing from Guangdong University of Education and Lin Yanchun, a supervisor at Natural Tree International Education Kindergarten, respectively gave lectures on "Becoming a Well-Rounded and Specialized Early Childhood Teacher" and "Overseas Learning and Growth Experience Sharing in Early Childhood Education."

Vice President Wang Aijie systematically outlined the development prospects and market demand for international schools in mainland China, conducting in-depth analyses on aspects such as the distribution of international schools, student sources, professional competency requirements, and cutting-edge teaching methods worldwide. She further proposed the qualities and abilities that students majoring in early childhood education should possess to enter this industry in the future, including English communication skills, cross-cultural competence, professional dedication, and lifelong learning capabilities.

Professor Ding Jing, from the perspective of a long-term researcher in early childhood education, discussed the development prospects, research methods, and the necessary abilities and qualities for becoming a professional early childhood educator. Supervisor Lin Yanchun shared her personal experiences of studying, advancing, and obtaining certifications overseas, including how to address differences between domestic and foreign education systems, grow into a qualified early childhood educator with multicultural competence, and leverage one's strengths to develop and apply the latest teaching content.

These lectures not only deepened students' understanding of the value and significance of their major but also provided them with profound insights into the latest trends and developments in the field of early childhood education, such as updates in educational philosophies, innovations in teaching methods, and changes in industry policies. This broadened students' professional horizons and ignited their interest and enthusiasm for their studies.

3.Founder of an International Business Firm Discusses How to Find Personal Career Positioning and Direction in the Global Market

On the afternoon of September 12, 2024, the International School invited Wang Fan, an international business service expert, founder of Business Partner (Guangdong) International Enterprise Management Co., Ltd., and partner at Yingke Foreign Service Guangdong, to share his career journey from employment and job selection to becoming the founder of an international business firm.

Wang Fan offered the following advice to freshmen regarding career planning:

1.Familiarize yourself with national policies, as they are crucial for career planning.

2.International businesses differ from domestic ones, requiring strong foreign language communication skills and cross-cultural understanding. Students should strive to enhance these abilities during their time in school.

3.Enrich your experience by participating in club activities and social practices to compensate for the lack of work experience.

4.Develop lifelong learning capabilities and take courses in AI, data analysis, and other fields during school to keep up with technological advancements.

5.Cultivate innovative thinking, foresight, and curiosity, as well as the ability to identify and solve problems.

6.Master communication skills, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

4.Jointly Exploring the Future of Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science and Technology

On the morning of September 13, 2024, via an online session, students majoring in Computer Science and Technology at the International School engaged in a thematic sharing session titled "Exploring the Future of AI: New Horizons in Computer Science and Technology" with Dr. Sweta Jain Sud, Deputy Dean of Edvantage Institute Australia (EIA), and Professor Rhys Williams, International Integration Project Manager. Dr. Sweta Jain Sud introduced the project's development approach, training model, corporate practices, and employment prospects, while Professor Rhys Williams shared his views on the skill requirements of the information society, Australia's demand for tech talent, and key elements of talent cultivation in industry-academia collaboration.

This sharing session allowed students to deeply appreciate the importance of an international environment for professional development, gain a clearer understanding of the global shortage of talent in computer science, technology, and AI, and recognize the ever-evolving demands on personal qualities, skills, vision, and knowledge in these fields. It further strengthened their determination and confidence to study abroad.

5.A Professional International Certified Public Accountant Shares His Journey to Becoming a Corporate Executive

On the afternoon of September 13, 2024, the International School invited Feng Kailong, Senior Financial Planning and Analysis Manager at Starbucks, to share his growth journey and his path to obtaining the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) certification.

Feng Kailong first recounted his experience of studying engineering as an undergraduate at South China University of Technology and receiving a full scholarship to pursue a master's degree in the United States. He advised students to attend various lectures and explore cutting-edge knowledge across fields during their studies to broaden their horizons and enhance future career possibilities.

He then shared how he came across ACCA, the process of obtaining the certification, and ultimately becoming a senior financial planning and analysis manager at a globally renowned company. He encouraged students to continuously explore their interests and knowledge gaps through practice, identifying areas for personal growth. Finally, he elaborated on the role of ACCA in international businesses, the connections among its 13 courses, the logic behind their design, and their importance in enhancing strategic (macro-level) capabilities and becoming corporate executives. He urged students to resolve to overcome challenges and ultimately obtain the ACCA certification.

Inviting corporate executives and elites to participate in the 2024 freshman orientation program at the International School was a beneficial initiative to promote industry-academia collaboration and guide students in early career planning. It not only provided a platform for face-to-face exchanges between freshmen and industry leaders but also opened a door to global employment opportunities.

This series of orientation activities also attracted students from the School of Health Medicine, School of Teacher Education, School of Foreign Languages, School of Communication and Media, School of Digital Economy and Trade, and School of Management.