Kritagya Regmi & Albin Raj Maskey
October 23, 2023 – The long-anticipated AIT Career Fair, hosted by the Asian Institute of Technology Career Center, brought together students, faculty, and industry professionals on October 23, 2023, serving as a crucial hub for individuals to explore career opportunities.
AIT President, Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto, warmly welcomed students and participating companies, underlining the fair’s importance for students. He encouraged them to make the most of this opportunity and expressed his appreciation for the hard work put in by the organizing team. Prof. Yamamoto expressed his hope that the career fair would bring valuable outcomes for our students and urged them to fully capitalize on it.
Dr. Roger Levermore, AIT’s Vice President for Development, emphasized the roles of curiosity, etiquette, and effective communication in students’ interactions with companies. He highlighted the importance of approaching the fair with an inquisitive mindset and the significance of polite and persistent communication with company representatives. Dr. Levermore also celebrated the diverse skill sets and competencies exhibited by AIT students, underscoring the abundant opportunities awaiting them.
Throughout the day, 34 companies participated, with 12 new corporate entrants and 22 long-term partners. The list of companies included New Ambitions International & Education, The Siam Cement PLC., MDPI Thailand Co., Ltd., AltoTech Global, THK CO., LTD., Banpu PCL, AIT Extension, My Internship Asia, Kyocera AVX, ASEAN Career Fair with Japan, Indorama Ventures Global Services Limited, Blue Card Program, Bee Two GmbH, Consultants of Technology Co., Ltd., Schaeffler, TEAM Consulting Engineering and Management PCL, Hays Recruitment, Pan-International Electronics (Thailand) Co., Ltd, AAPICO Hitech Public Company Limited, Thai Beverage, BayWa r.e. (Thailand)., Ltd, RIMES, Asian Engineering Consultants Company Limited, Double A (1991) Public Limited Company, Stonehenge Inter Public Company Limited, Planet Barcode, Laxmi Group Pvt. Ltd, School of Engineering King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Meinhardt (Thailand) Ltd., DEMCO Public Company Limited, Kaizen (Thailand) Limited, Borthong Industries Technology Company Limited, Factorytalk, Helukabel (Thailand) Co., Ltd., and Think Blue Data Co., Ltd.
The AIT Career Fair, which is held every semester, provided an enriching experience for students and companies alike. It went beyond job searching, offering a platform for building connections, gathering information, and gaining job market insights. Interviews with participating companies took place on the same day. In addition to a wide range of opportunities and insights from esteemed speakers, the fair featured concurrent events, including the AIT Student Research Exhibition and a food market, enhancing the overall experience for attendees. It was a day filled with prospects, learning, and networking, leaving a lasting impression on students as they journey toward a promising future.
Student Experiences at AIT Career Fair
Ayush Koirala, a Data Science and AI Master’s student from Nepal, praised the fair for its exposure to diverse companies and their hiring criteria. His last visit led to a valuable data science internship at Indorama Venture Limited, where he worked with joy, utilizing machine learning and AI to analyze data. Ayush’s journey from attending the fair to securing this internship vividly demonstrates the fair’s tangible impact on students’ careers.
Lynn Myat Thinzar Lin, a Master’s student in Environmental Engineering and Management from Myanmar, attended her first AIT Career Fair. She was impressed by its ability to connect students with global and local companies, broadening her view of job opportunities and graduation requirements. She actively engaged with companies and applauded them for clearly outlining their expectations, including language proficiency levels, and simplifying the qualification process. Some firms even reviewed CVs and offered application guidance, enhancing the student experience.
Companies at AIT Career Fair Share Their Experience
Double A (1991) Public Limited Company – Sarmin Rauf, HR Section Manager:
We attended the career fair to recruit new talent, especially in management and engineering. In the past, we’ve hired AIT students for various roles, including country representatives, auditors, and business development executives. We’re excited to grow our talent pool and encourage all students to apply, including fresh graduates. Notably, we already have about 6-7 AIT alumni on our team.
Helukabel (Thailand) Co., Ltd. – Business Development Team:
This is our third appearance at the AIT Career Fair. We focus on electrical wire manufacturing and expanding into neighboring countries like Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. We value AIT’s diverse student population and prioritize candidates eager to learn and grow. Language skills and international exposure are a plus, but not our primary focus. We’re actively seeking new students to join our workforce.
Blue Card Program, Bee Two GmbH – John Tasker, Consultant:
As first-time participants at the career fair, we are particularly interested in AIT students due to their unique qualities. AIT students’ international backgrounds and their willingness to relocate make them ideal candidates for our company’s international ventures. We offer opportunities to work in Germany and place great value on the enriching cultural diversity that AIT students can bring to our team.
THK CO., LTD – ThkMoe Hariyama, HR Planning Section & General Affairs Department:
We joined the career fair to address Japan’s declining workforce and advance our technology. We recognize the practical experience and innovative thinking of students from Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. We aim to tap into this talent pool to introduce new knowledge and ideas, fostering innovation and growth. AIT students will bring fresh ideas, knowledge, and creativity, making our company more innovative.
