Annual Vientiane Career & Education Fair
In 2010, when I first arrived in Laos, ask a Lao student where he or she would work after leaving the National University of Laos (the only University) or any private college and most likely the reply would be “in the Government” or “with an NGO”! The private business sector in the Lao economy was growing rapidly with many companies looking for qualified young graduates to help build their businesses. But there was a lack of awareness by students on where their studies could take them, what kind of careers, in what industries and the paths to take; nepotism in hiring practices was/is rife, so opportunities to express their ambitions were limited. On the other hand, companies had a hard task to reach students, to explain the content of jobs, corporate training programs, opportunities for international mobility and step by step career paths to become managers and good salaries.
The objective of organizing the first ever Career Fair in Laos was to bridge the communication gap between students & companies, bringing students and companies together; for students to express ideas, ambitions and worries; and for companies to listen, explain and motivate prospective young managers…..without nepotism!
Nana TENG, head of the Business Department and I, as a volunteer unpaid Assistant, started the project in the Business Degree Program at the Lao-American College with 30 students.
We invited companies to use this event also as a Business Exhibition, presenting their business activities explaining different career paths as well as recruiting future business talent. The enthusiasm for the idea expressed by many companies, representing a cross section of the Lao economy, ranging from mining to banks, cars to computers, hydropower to beer, pizzas and ice cream, soon converted it into a 2 day event!
The objective of organizing the first ever Career Fair in Laos was to bridge the communication gap between students & companies, bringing students and companies together; for students to express ideas, ambitions and worries; and for companies to listen, explain and motivate prospective young managers…..without nepotism!
Nana TENG, head of the Business Department and I, as a volunteer unpaid Assistant, started the project in the Business Degree Program at the Lao-American College with 30 students.
We invited companies to use this event also as a Business Exhibition, presenting their business activities explaining different career paths as well as recruiting future business talent. The enthusiasm for the idea expressed by many companies, representing a cross section of the Lao economy, ranging from mining to banks, cars to computers, hydropower to beer, pizzas and ice cream, soon converted it into a 2 day event!
Through AEDECOL I provided seed financing, took financial responsibility, organizing, managing, marketing, training and everything else which was necessary to make it a success.
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I’m pleased to say that it has been a self-sustaining, viable, entrepreneurial business venture from year one, self-financed from corporate participants…… my Wharton training and business experience has been put to very good use!
The Vientiane Career Fair has become an annual event, going into its 10th Year, expanded to include about 50 companies, NGO’s and over 2000 students.
We’ve added an Education section for BA and MBA programs from top foreign universities.
We are trying to add Sections on:
Jobs in the Government
To help the Government in its trend towards transparency in hiring staff, …..avoiding nepotism of co-opting family and friends….. The future of Laos depends upon hiring the best qualified graduates with language skills and international experience as Laos opens-up to ASEAN and the World. As the Public and Private sectors will be transparently side by side at the Career Fair we should see improvements in public sector salaries.
Vocational Careers & Apprenticeships
There are not enough training schemes in such areas as building trades, plumbing, electricity, healthcare, mechanics, agriculture, handicrafts, textiles, hospitality, etc., for younger people who do not wish to go or cannot go to High School or University/College.
“Road Shows
To reach small towns and villages, with vocational Careers, Apprenticeship training opportunities
Luang Prabang and Savannakhet
There are other rapidly developing areas so we would like to organize Career Fairs there to keep people in the area rather than migrating to Vientiane to find good jobs.
Franchising Fair
Franchising will bring entrepreneurship and training by franchisers and ideas so badly needed into Laos
…….so many things to do…….
We’ve added an Education section for BA and MBA programs from top foreign universities.
We are trying to add Sections on:
Jobs in the Government
To help the Government in its trend towards transparency in hiring staff, …..avoiding nepotism of co-opting family and friends….. The future of Laos depends upon hiring the best qualified graduates with language skills and international experience as Laos opens-up to ASEAN and the World. As the Public and Private sectors will be transparently side by side at the Career Fair we should see improvements in public sector salaries.
Vocational Careers & Apprenticeships
There are not enough training schemes in such areas as building trades, plumbing, electricity, healthcare, mechanics, agriculture, handicrafts, textiles, hospitality, etc., for younger people who do not wish to go or cannot go to High School or University/College.
“Road Shows
To reach small towns and villages, with vocational Careers, Apprenticeship training opportunities
Luang Prabang and Savannakhet
There are other rapidly developing areas so we would like to organize Career Fairs there to keep people in the area rather than migrating to Vientiane to find good jobs.
Franchising Fair
Franchising will bring entrepreneurship and training by franchisers and ideas so badly needed into Laos
…….so many things to do…….
STUDENT VOLUNTEERS
