Students and delegates from across the Pacific gathered at BYU–Hawaii from June 9 to June 12 for Asia Pacific Career Conference Oceania 2026, which was designed to connect students with employers, strengthen professional relationships, and create opportunities throughout the region.
The conference featured a devotional, career fairs, interviews and meetings for students to meet representative organizations across Oceania. In addition, employers from Tonga, Kiribati, Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti, and New Zealand joined students on campus to discuss internships, careers, and educational opportunities.
Representatives from organizations including the Public Service Commission of Tonga, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kingdom of Tonga, LBJ Tropical Medical Center, South Seas Healthcare Trust, Empower Pacific, Samoa Resource Institute, Le Afioʻaga o Aotearoa Trust, Kateibwi Landscape & Construction, Pacific Building Solutions, the Pacific Games Organizing Committee of Tahiti, Tahiti Expert Events, My Tahiti Escapes, Pacific Kids’ Learning, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Pacific Area participated in the conference.
The event reflected BYU–Hawaii’s mission of preparing students to become leaders who can serve and strengthen communities throughout the Pacific and beyond.
Building Bridges to Future Careers
For career planning and placement director, David Fonoimoana, the conference is centered on creating meaningful connections between students and future employers.
“Our top goal and priority is to connect students with their possible future employers from the Pacific,” said Fonoimoana.
Fonoimoana shared that months of preparation went into organizing the conference, which is part of a larger initiative to connect students with employers throughout the Asia-Pacific region. He also explained that the APCC has been divided into three separate events focused on the Philippines, Asia North, and the Pacific to better serve students and delegates in each region.
FoFnoimoana explained, “The conference provides students with opportunities to practice professional skills while learning directly from employers and leaders who understand the needs and opportunities present throughout Oceania.” As a result, students gain valuable experience while expanding their professional networks through interviews, networking sessions, and career fairs.
Turning Opportunities into Reality
Advancement Vice President Brooke Peterson emphasized that APCC is more than a networking event; it is part of BYU–Hawaii’s commitment to helping students succeed after graduation.
According to Peterson, students are encouraged to network with delegates and explore opportunities that may lead to future employment, internships, and educational experiences. At the opening of the APCC, she and student workers of Career Services were quick and diligent in welcoming others to the conference, explaining the importance of the event. Peterson also highlighted another resource created to support students who have taken advantage of this opportunity.
“We are offering the Yamagata Fund to help students who are offered internships but need help getting there so we can best support their futures,” Peterson announced. “Our school aims to do more than just create opportunities but help make their dreams a reality…We will mentor and help you to accomplish your further education and careers because we are all doing all we can to bring great plans to you.”
Finding a Place in the Pacific
For students like Guinivere Hansen, a junior majoring in hospitality and tourism management, APCC provided an opportunity to apply skills she has developed at BYU–Hawaii while pursuing her career interests in the Pacific.
“I had heard about the APCC during my first year here at BYUH, so I’ve been waiting for it to return,” Hansen shared.
Hansen explained how she first learned about the APCC and career preparation through a business class on campus, where students learned and practiced for events like this. Although networking initially felt intimidating, Hansen said those early experiences helped prepare her for future opportunities, especially after she had served a full-time mission in Tahiti.
“It was filled with different people, and it was my first time really networking with other students and delegates,” she said. “It was really daunting, but a good experience… I felt comfortable introducing myself, and the companies were interested in what I had to offer because of what I learned and prepared in my class during my first year.”
Her preparation led to valuable opportunities, including conversations with organizations from Tahiti and invitations to continue building professional relationships.
“I met with two companies from Tahiti and got invited to go to an exclusive meeting with them and other Tahitian students,” Hansen said. “I was able to grow better connections to future employers and my fellow students.”
Through mentorship, networking, and career exploration, APCC 2026 provided students with opportunities to envision their futures while strengthening connections across the Pacific. As delegates and students came together throughout the week, the conference demonstrated the value of collaboration in preparing the next generation of Pacific leaders.
