One of the best things college students can do to prepare themselves for life after graduation is to network. Career Services at BYU–Hawaii is expanding their CareerConnect program into countries in the university’s target area to help international students build their network before graduation. CareerConnect takes a group of students to meet with companies and learn more about the career opportunities they have after they graduate. Past cities include Los Angeles, CA; Seattle, WA; Dallas, TX; Washington DC, and many more. In early September, CareerConnect took 17 BYU–Hawaii students on the program’s first international trip to the Philippines where they met with 14 different companies.
“It was surprising to see all the good opportunities back home,” says Liel Maala, a senior business major on the finance track with a minor in accounting from the Philippines. “I’ve never felt the mission of the school so real and concrete than when I was on this trip.” Maala graduates in December and this trip reinforced his desire to return home and work. He said, “I was always planning on going home, but after seeing all the opportunities from this trip, it’s a sealed deal as to where I’m going after I graduate.”
The students did not only learn about career opportunities, they were able to talk with managers one-on-one and gain experience in a professional setting. “I learned to sell myself in the best way to all the companies and to network and establish good relationships with all the companies we visited,” says Pheobe Pacis, political science major from the Philippines.
“Domestically, CareerConnect has been a great tool in opening doors and exposing students to the possibilities available to them,” says Kei Briones, office supervisor in Career Services. “They are able to learn about industries and companies while making valuable network connections. Launching the CareerConnect in our target areas will help our international students become better connected and prepared to become meaningful contributors in their home region.”
Aside from visiting key cities in the U.S. (Chicago, San Jose, Phoenix, Boston, Washington DC, Seattle, Dallas, L.A.), Career Services will be organizing CareerConnect trips to Hong Kong, Japan and Korea this coming year.