To promote experiential learning among students at the Asian Institute of Technology, the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) AIT Career Center, in collaboration with the AIT Student Union, has begun the “Tik Talk series” in August, which provides a neutral platform for different stakeholders to come together to frankly discuss challenges. The weekly series is held every Wednesday, allowing students to connect to experts from different fields, political and non-political authorities, industry specialists, international organization officials, and more.
Kamonkanok Kiatisakchai, Ph.D., Director of OSA, highlighted that the program is developed based on the student’s interests, “The main aim of this collaboration is to provide students with the information they want through experts. We try to cover diverse topics within and beyond their curriculum”.
The main objective of the series is to provide students with opportunities for self-development and practical learning. Stating that students need opportunities to ‘learn outside the box,’ Dr. Kiatisakchai added, “Students must be aware of the current trends around the world in their fields, beyond their coursework. This series will inject them with practical knowledge and learnings and act as a toolkit to support their study. The vision isn’t just to inform the students, but to make them ready to tackle the world when they finish their study and get into the job market.”
In the past weeks, experts from various sectors joined the students and discussed various topics related to research, career development, job market and opportunities, entrepreneurship skills, and business, among others. Furthermore, experts advised students on performing well and transmitting their knowledge to internship and career opportunities. In addition, the series also allows students to broaden their network and connections.
Parasar Bhandari, a Construction, Engineering, and Infrastructure Management student at AIT’s School of Engineering and Technology, said, “The session was beneficial as we got the chance to interact directly with experts. In addition, they gave us details of the contact person we can connect with for our queries. I am looking forward to similar opportunities.”
Aimi Sugihara, a Gender and Development Studies student at AIT’s School of Environment, Resources, and Development, shares, “The event was a great opportunity to learn about companies and organizations of which I was unaware. I am thankful to the organizers. This series has helped me widen the perspective of my future career, which I hadn’t thought about earlier.”
A total of five series Career Talk sessions have already been conducted thus far, with speakers from Abbott Laboratories Co., Ltd; TikTok; Asia & Pacific Seed Alliance Ltd; Raks Thai Foundation; Fourth Valley Concierge and POINTAVE. Upcoming Tik Talks will feature CIGAM Global Co. Ltd. for the “CV Writing, Cover Letter & LinkedIn Profile Development Workshop” on 5 October; Arise by INFINITAS and Maya Wizard Co. Ltd. Career Talks on 12 October; and a Talk by AIT President Kazuo Yamamoto, awardee of the prestigious Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2020, for his pioneering work in developing the submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR) on 19 October 2022. The Career Center team, under the helm of Ms. Joan Carla Gonzales, Coordinator of OSA, will continue to update the students and the community at large in any forthcoming sessions.
