A career expo event has been held by Study NSW in Sydney to connect international students with potential employers.
With around 1000 students from different educational institutions across NSW, and over 50 employers from various sectors, the event organised at Darling Harbour, kicked off with a welcome from the NSW Minister for Trade, Innovation, Science and Technology, Anoulack Chanthivong.
In his address, Mr Chanthivong said he hoped the expo would make a positive impact on students, as well as potential employers.
“It is a showcase for the ways innovation and technology can help us connect but mainly it is about people reaching out with best intentions to give opportunities for our visiting students, and harnessing this exceptional talent pool for the good of New South Wales,” Mr Chanthivong said.
The expo provided a range of activities, including a masterclass for students about the use of Seek, the leading job marketplace of Australia and also one of the event sponsor.
There were also lessons writing job applications and acing job interview, as well as recognising the impact international student volunteers have on the community.
Games Programming student at the Academy of Interactive Technology, Prithvi Tamang said the event was exciting to attend, and believed these kinds of events are helpful for international students career growth.
“After graduating we would like to go further with working, related to our studies, and these kinds of expo guide international students to their career,” Mr Tamang said.
“I didn’t find the employer that match with my study background at the expo, but the Seek career advice provided in the event was really helpful, it taught how to effectively apply for a job we are seeking for.
“I had never been to these kinds of event before, and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I think participating in such events increases the student engagement with their study as well.”
Nearly 50 students were honoured with certificates, who had volunteered more than 30 hours of their time, at the arrival centre at Sydney International Airport, guiding new international students on reaching their accommodation.
Associate director of Policy and Students Program NSW, Nate Henderson said that the event had received a very positive response from students.
“From meeting with employers, to learning from the Seek masterclasses, to having a professional photo, this was a very successful event for international students,” Mr Henderson said.
“We hope this event helped bridge the gap for international students to gain employment in NSW, both during and post study.”
The Study NSW team promised attendees that similar events will be organised in the future.