On April 1–2, 2025, BYU–Hawaii transformed into a hub of career exploration and international connection during the annual Asia Pacific Career Conference (APCC). Designed to prepare students for professional success in Oceania, the Asian Rim, and beyond, APCC gave students opportunities to network, learn, and present themselves to employers and graduate schools from across the globe—all right on campus.
The conference kicked off on April 1 with an inspiring keynote address at the Polynesian Cultural Center's Hawaiian Journey Theater. On April 2, the heart of the event came alive with a vibrant Career & Graduate Fair in the Cannon Activities Center, where APCC-certified students who finished the titular Canvas course were given early access before the doors opened to all attendees. From there, students participated in career talks, professional workshops, and a networking event exclusive to certified students—all geared toward applying what they’ve learned in classrooms to real-world opportunities.
“This has gone beyond our expectations as to the number of students that are here today,” said Sister Vanessa Armstrong, a service missionary in BYU–Hawaii Career Services. “The students that registered for an APCC certification far exceeded our expectations.”
Since its inception in 2018, APCC has drawn organizations from Asia, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the U.S. This year was no exception, with over 30 employers and graduate schools attending, including Khan Bank of Mongolia, Waikato-Tainui from New Zealand, and the Philippines Consulate General in Hawaii. But for all the impressive names, the focus remained squarely on the students.
Students Seizing the Moment
For many students, APCC was a pivotal opportunity to step into the professional world with confidence. Through Career Services’ professional certification course on Canvas, participants refined resumes, practiced interview skills, and built professional online profiles—preparing them to make the most of APCC’s many networking chances.
“It’s really interesting seeing these companies, finding an internship for myself, and seeing their human resources,” said Hantian Zhang, a junior from China majoring in computer science. “It’s been wonderful for me, and I’ve been looking for something related to my major and career, like computer science or IT.”
Ysabelle Junio, a senior from the Philippines majoring in business management with an emphasis in marketing, shared a similar takeaway: “I ask the employers what skills they’re looking for in the areas they’re interested in. Corresponding to my major, I was asking, ‘What are the skills they are looking for in marketing positions?’ and their answers helped me gain awareness of what I need to work on. This conference has helped me gain an understanding of what the job landscape will look like when I’m looking for a job.”
Beyond the Booths
Participating employers and recruiters recognized the value of meeting students at BYU–Hawaii, many of whom bring unique global perspectives and a strong foundation in values-based education.
“We are looking for students in the Asia region, like Southeast Asia; Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, and Pakistan,” said Marisa Khong, the talent acquisition manager for Asia Area Human Resources of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. “We hope to give them opportunities to learn more about what we do. We’re bringing a lot more job opportunities to the students here in our second year in APCC, and I think we already had a couple of internships lined up for students, and they’ve already submitted their resumes. We’ve had quite a success so far in APCC.”
Renee Mariner-Solomon, operations manager for Pacific Church Schools–New Zealand, also highlighted the range of career paths available through Church employment: “At Church Schools, we have multiple opportunities, like jobs and internships, for social media marketing, HR, finance, education, counseling, and more. We are a big organization, and we go across five countries with schools in them, and we also have our area office in New Zealand, where we have internships available as well.” The Church Schools team is hoping to hire 100 students for job opportunities this summer.
Shaping a Future of Possibility
As APCC concluded, students walked away not just with pamphlets and business cards but with renewed confidence, clear direction, and expanded networks.
BYU–Hawaii’s mission to prepare students to be “leaders in their families, communities, chosen fields, and in building the kingdom of God” was clearly on display during the conference. The connections made during these two days will impact students for years to come—whether through job offers, mentorships, or simply the courage to take the next step.
For more information on how to prepare for next year’s Asia Pacific Career Conference or to get involved, visit careerservices.byuh.edu or email careerservices@byuh.edu.