USJ Organises Career Exploration Dinner Talk to Foster Students’ Career Development
USJ Organises Career Exploration Dinner Talk to Foster Students’ Career Development
21
Apr
21/04/2026
The Office for Student and Alumni Affairs (OSAA) organised the 2026 USJ Career Exploration Dinner Talk with the theme “From Passion to Profession”, aimed to create a platform for interaction among students and alumni from various industries.
To strengthen university students’ understanding of future career planning and to gain deeper insights into the current demands of Macao’s job market, the Office for Student and Alumni Affairs (OSAA) of the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) organised the 2026 USJ Career Exploration Dinner Talk on 18 April. The theme of the event was “From Passion to Profession”. It was aimed to create a platform for interaction among students and alumni from various industries. The alumni’s sharing of their career experiences encouraged students to explore diverse career pathways and prepare themselves for entering the workforce.
The event was sponsored by Macao Foundation and took place in the Kent Wong Exhibition Hall at the USJ Ilha Verde Campus. Among the distinguished guests in attendance were Mr. Chan Iok Wai, Head of the Department of Students of the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ); Dr. Alejandro Salcedo, Acting Rector of USJ; Dr. Teresa Loong, Vice-Rector of USJ; Ms. Jenny Lam, Head of OSAA; Ms. Evonne Chiu, President of the General Assembly of the USJ Alumni Association (AAUSJ); Mr. Addy Chan, Chairman of the Executive Committee of AAUSJ; Mr. Terence Kou, Member of the Executive Committee of AAUSJ; and alumna Ms. Celia Yuen.
In his opening speech, Dr. Salcedo expressed sincere gratitude to all the guests for their presence and extended special thanks to DSEDJ for its longstanding and strong support of USJ’s student activities. He noted that DSEDJ’s supportive guidance and resources have provided USJ students with a broader platform for growth and have greatly contributed to their career development. He also warmly welcomed the alumni who returned to campus to share their valuable growth experiences and practical insights from society with current students and faculty.
The event invited alumni guests from different professional fields to share how they transformed their personal passion into workplace competitiveness. The keynote speaker, Ms. Celia, who has developed her career in the design field, recounted how she started from her love for design during her student years. She mentioned how much effort she has put into facing various real-world challenges, and eventually turned her interest into a successful career. She also highlighted to the students that staying humble in the career path is crucial. Mr. Terence shared his own inspiring career journey, explaining the connections between his academic major, personal interests, and current profession. He encouraged the current students to bravely explore their own unique career paths.
Professional development in all industries often begins with an initial passion for the field. From dedication and in-depth study to the gradual internalisation of solid skills, this passion ultimately forms a strong foundation for one’s professional expertise. A local year-2 student who participated in the event shared that she had previously felt lost about her career direction and worried that her studies might not align with the actual needs of Macao’s job market. Through face-to-face exchanges with alumni and industry professionals from various sectors during the gathering, she came to realize that passion is not only the starting point for choosing a profession, but also a vital driving force for continuous growth and overcoming future workplace challenges. “I used to think that interest and career were two separate things, but after listening to the guests’ sharing on how they gradually transformed their initial passion into professional skills, I have started to rethink my own career planning,” she said.
The event concluded with a dinner gathering. USJ will continue to provide comprehensive development support for our students, foster stronger connections between students and alumni, build bridges between campus and the workplace, and assist students in exploring and planning their future career paths.
