As 2025 draws to a close, the Graduate Institute of Technology Management hosted a grand year-end gathering and alumni sharing event on December 12th to honor the hard work of faculty and students throughout the semester and foster cross-cultural exchange within the department. The event was hosted by Assoc. Prof. Roy Yeh, together with faculty members Director Prof. Hsiao-Hui Chen, Prof. Mei Ho, Prof. Chi-Yo Huang, Assoc. Prof. Jingjing Weng, and Secretary Ms. Sophia Kuo gathered with first- and second-year master's students. The participating students included not only enthusiastic local students but also international students from Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, along with exchange students from the Netherlands and Germany, totaling approximately 30 students. Faces that were once unfamiliar have grown familiar and friendly through four months of interaction. Amidst the comfortable and elegant ambiance of NTU's JM Café & Bistro, faculty and students enjoyed lunch together, transcending nationality and grade boundaries. Conversations ranged from the challenging and fulfilling coursework of this semester to upcoming winter break plans and sharing of hometown cultures. The venue buzzed with multiple languages and laughter, fully embodying the warmth of The Graduate Institute of Technology Management family.

Following the lively atmosphere of the luncheon, the event transitioned to its main highlight: International Students Career Guidance Seminar. We were honored to invite Edison Lawby, an alumnus of the Institute of Technology Management (Class of 109) originally from Indonesia, currently working as a Marketing Specialist in the Business Development Department at WCC Biomedical Co., Ltd., returned to share practical insights on job hunting in Taiwan from a firsthand perspective.

Edison began by advising that the first step to job hunting in Taiwan is "document localization." He suggested using AI tools to assist in generating resumes, cover letters, and digital portfolios in both Chinese and English. Additionally, he emphasized the necessity of customizing these documents for specific roles to highlight personal achievements. He also introduced key job search channels in Taiwan, including 104 Job Bank, Cake, LinkedIn, Contact TAIWAN, and professional referrals. regarding the 104 platform, he shared practical search techniques such as mastering keywords, setting industry and salary filters, and establishing daily application targets.

Regarding the current state of the Taiwanese market, Edison observed that tech-oriented Taiwanese startups with internationally competitive products are actively expanding into overseas markets, presenting excellent opportunities for foreign talent. He reminded students to prepare a brief self-introduction in Chinese, noting that it is acceptable to politely ask during interviews if the conversation can proceed in English. He advised staying calm during written tests and noted that for salary negotiations, one must understand their own market value beforehand, as compensation packages often have room for negotiation.

Finally, Edison encouraged students currently or planning to look for work in Taiwan. He noted that being "left on read" (receiving no response) is inevitable during the process. When this happens, one must not fall into negativity but instead keep moving forward and applying for vacancies. He emphasized that AI is a job seeker's best assistant and suggested that during waiting periods, students should actively seek internships or upgrade their professional skills. As long as they do not give up easily, their daily efforts will eventually bear fruit.

The session held the full attention of the international students, who took diligent notes hoping to replicate the alumnus's path to success. Taiwanese students also listened intently, learning how to collaborate and compete with international talent while absorbing valuable advice from their senior.

The event ended successfully with a group photo, marking the completion of the first semester of the 114th academic year. Through this banquet, faculty-student interactions were deepened, and students gained a clearer understanding of their future career paths, laying a solid foundation for their subsequent academic pursuits and practical development.

Special thanks to the Office of International Affairs International Chapter Project for sponsoring this event.

Event Content Writer: M11320005 Chen, Jou-Chung