Connie, Senior Manager of the Admissions Office at Hong Kong Shue Yan University, represented the institution at the Education & Careers Expo. Coinciding with the university’s 55th anniversary, the exhibition booth integrating VR experiences, interactive games, and programme displays to promote both undergraduate and postgraduate courses to secondary school students and working professionals.

The booth highlighted achievements from the Media Design and Virtual Reality programme and featured VR experiences on dementia awareness and cyberbullying, allowing participants to gain insight into the content of the Counselling Psychology and Social Work departments. Additionally, the university designed the “16 Yan Personality Game,” which uses interactive personality tags to guide students in exploring suitable academic disciplines. Upon completion, participants could exchange for exclusive Shue Yan souvenirs.

Connie reported that the exhibition was highly effective, attracting a large number of secondary students, teachers, and professionals over the two days. Many students deepened their understanding of the programmes through the interactive experiences, and a number of working adults inquired about postgraduate study pathways. She described the atmosphere at the venue as vibrant, with enthusiastic engagement, successfully achieving the exhibition’s goal of promoting the university’s 55 years of educational achievements and appealing to a diverse range of prospective students.

Dr. Yang, the Chairperson of the Hong Kong Institute of Construction stated that the Institute, established in 2018 under the Hong Kong Construction Industry Council, is dedicated to cultivating knowledge-based professionals for the construction industry. This year, the Institute once again participated in the Education and Careers Expo, focusing on showcasing the technological applications driving the industry's transformation and upgrading. Interactive equipment such as construction robots, remote-controlled cranes, and wire-laying robots were featured, highlighting the trends of digitalisation and intelligent development within the sector.

To meet the talent demands arising from the development of the Northern Metropolis, the Greater Bay Area initiative, and the Belt and Road Initiative, the Institute has launched several innovative courses. These cover areas such as construction robot operation, information technology, and the "Future Construction Elite Programme." The latter is offered in collaboration with Imperial College London and Tsinghua University, aiming to nurture industry leaders with an international perspective. The President emphasised that the curriculum is closely aligned with industry advancements and provides subsidies and articulation pathways for further studies, encouraging young people to join the construction industry.

The exhibition area featured a youthful and vibrant design, complemented by displays of AI technology, successfully attracting a large number of students, parents, and industry professionals. The Institute also set up a dedicated zone for the WorldSkills Competition, showcasing the training achievements of Hong Kong participants to enhance public recognition of skilled professions. The President described the exhibition atmosphere as enthusiastic and the facilities as well-organised. On-site registration and career support services were particularly well-received, effectively promoting the development of vocational and professional education.

Ms. Queenie Yip, President of the the Hong Kong Association of Private Practice Optometrists (APPO), stated that since its establishment in 1991, the Association has been dedicated to promoting comprehensive eye examinations and public eye care education, aiming to enhance public understanding of the optometrist's professional role and the importance of eye health. For this exhibition, the Association brought various professional instruments to provide the public with comprehensive screenings, including tests for visual acuity, refractive errors, glaucoma, cataracts, retinal diseases, as well as binocular coordination, colour vision, and stereoscopic vision. Lectures were also held to introduce the professional functions of optometrists in myopia control and the early detection of eye diseases.

Ms. Yip considered the exhibition highly effective, with over 600 members of the public screened on the first day alone, demonstrating an enthusiastic response. Participants included secondary school students, parents, senior citizens, and working professionals. Many seniors, organised through district health centres, came specifically for retinal examinations and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to detect conditions like diabetic retinopathy and hypertensive retinopathy at an early stage. Parents took the opportunity to learn about myopia prevention and control in children, while younger visitors showed concern about the impact of prolonged use of electronic devices on their vision.

Ms. Yip commended the organisers for the orderly arrangement of the event and suggested that future collaborations with educational institutions and district health centres could be strengthened to raise awareness and increase participation in vision screening services. Overall, the exhibition successfully promoted eye care awareness and demonstrated the positive impact of cross-sector collaboration on public health.

Chloe, a colour analyst with five years of professional experience, is the founder of Clincolour, which offers personal colour analysis, image styling, art creation, and corporate image consulting services. Originally working in advertising and marketing, she was inspired during the pandemic to change career paths. She completed a colour analysis system course originating from the UK and founded her personal studio, offering one‑to‑one consultations, personal shopping guidance, and corporate collaboration projects.

At the exhibition, Clincolour provided visitors with a 5‑ to 10‑minute rapid colour analysis service, helping students and job seekers enhance their first impression through suitable colours and boost their confidence in interviews and social settings. Chloe reported an enthusiastic response—appointments for the colour analysis were quickly fully booked, with many students actively participating. She also connected with a number of corporate human resources departments to explore potential collaborations.

Chloe acknowledged the organiser’s strong promotional support, which included arranging for athletes to film promotional videos, social media campaigns, and on‑site crowd coordination. Overall, she felt the exhibition atmosphere was lively, with participants showing keen interest in image management, exceeding her initial expectations for the event's impact.

The Global Education Group Ltd is an educational institution specialising in overseas studies, dedicated to providing personalised academic pathway planning for students, covering mainstream study destinations such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the United States, and New Zealand. At the exhibition, the group’s representatives highlighted partner institutions, including top UK boarding schools such as Cardiff Sixth Form College and Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, while offering comprehensive support covering course selection, admission applications, and overseas adaptation.

The representatives noted that the exhibition attracted a strong flow of visitors, with Sundays in particular drawing large numbers of parents and students for consultations, reflecting significant public interest in overseas education. Although some families were unable to make immediate decisions regarding studying abroad due to various factors, the event successfully provided a communication platform, allowing the institution to explain study pathways and school features in depth. Overall, the representatives considered the exhibition atmosphere positive, combining both educational and career elements, effectively connecting the institution with its target audience and helping to promote information about overseas studies.

The Hong Kong Judiciary took part for the first time in the Education & Careers Expo, aiming to raise public awareness of the Judiciary grades, including Judicial Clerk, Court Interpreter, Bailiff and Bailiff’s Assistant, by introducing their job responsibilities, entry requirements, and rewarding career paths.  Judiciary representatives said their participation in the exhibition aimed to let more people understand how these Judiciary grades support judges and judicial officers and contribute to the daily operations of the courts.  The representatives welcome applicants from diverse academic backgrounds to join the Judiciary.

During the exhibition, the Judiciary allowed visitors to gain direct insight into the daily work and qualities of the Judiciary grades through distribution of leaflets, introductions at the booth and sharing sessions by serving Judiciary grades staff. The representatives noted that many visitors initially believed that legal related qualifications were a prerequisite to joining the Judiciary grades.  After visiting the booth, they came to understand the diverse entry pathways available. The booth attracted visits and inquiries from students, working professionals, and family visitors, with positive feedback overall.

Judiciary representatives described the exhibition atmosphere as lively and it provided an effective platform for the Judiciary to engage the public, enhance the transparency of the Judiciary’s work and promote the public’s understanding of the Judiciary. In summary, this participation successfully promoted the Judiciary grades and offered clear entry guidance for those interested in joining the Judiciary. 

Mr. Ni, Executive Officer of the Civil Service Bureau, stated that the Bureau participates annually in the Education & Careers Expo organised by the Education Bureau, aiming to introduce the public to civil service career streams and recruitment policies. This year, the exhibition area featured information booths for five key career streams, including Administrative Officer, Executive Officer, Training Officer, Official Languages Officer, and Clerical and Secretarial grades. Over 30 government departments were invited to set up independent booths, with approximately ten departments participating for the first time, such as the Official Receiver’s Office and the Companies Registry, allowing citizens to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the diverse work across government sectors.

Mr. Ni noted that visitor numbers increased significantly this year, with student groups attending enthusiastically during both morning and afternoon sessions. In addition to career stream introductions, a dedicated seminar zone was set up on-site, hosting around 19 seminars over the four‑day exhibition period. Staff from various departments shared frontline experiences—for example, a Bomb Disposal Officer from the Police Force explained the professional work content and challenges—helping students gain an in‑depth understanding of the multifaceted functions of different departments.

Overall, Mr. Ni believes the Expo effectively builds a communication bridge between the government and the public, not only providing entry‑level information but also deepening young people’s understanding of and interest in public service.

Manjot also attends Yu Chun Keung Memorial College No.2 and is currently in Form 4, studying Economics as one of her elective subjects. She is preparing for the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) examination, has an interest in humanities and social sciences, and intends to continue her higher education in Hong Kong.

Her main purpose in visiting the expo was to learn about the actual content of different university disciplines and related careers. She aimed to discover fields that genuinely interest her and gather relevant further education information to make a suitable subject choice after the DSE.

Manjot felt the expo was designed with students' needs in mind, particularly through hands-on participation and on-site conversations, which allowed for a more intuitive understanding of various professions. She was especially impressed by the booths related to economics and humanities, and noted that these experiences helped her gradually clarify her future academic direction.

She described the overall atmosphere of the expo as relaxed and inspiring, with interactive elements effectively engaging students. She particularly appreciated the interactive activities provided at the booths, such as Q&A sessions and small games, which enabled her to gain a more realistic understanding of different industries in an enjoyable way. In summary, she found it to be a both fun and meaningful experience.

Erwen Dai is a third-year student in the Chinese Studies programme at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, specialising in media and marketing. Attending the Education and Careers Expo for the first time, her main goal was to explore internship opportunities related to communications and marketing. As a non-local student, she was particularly keen to understand local employment market trends to better plan for her further studies and career development.

She found the overall atmosphere of the expo vibrant, with enthusiastic staff and a wide range of industries represented. The interactive activities and small gifts further enhanced her engagement with the exhibits. Notably, she took part in the on-site “Colour Analysis” session by clincolour, which she considered professional and tailored to her personal traits, offering practical guidance for her future workplace attire and personal branding.

Xulin Ye is a third-year student in the Chinese Studies programme at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, with plans to pursue a future in marketing and wealth management. Her main purpose for attending the Education and Careers Expo was to seek internship opportunities, understand corporate recruitment requirements, and clarify her direction for postgraduate studies.

Ye found the expo content rich and inspiring, with diverse exhibition booths covering a wide range of industries. Direct interactions with corporate representatives helped her gain a clearer understanding of market demands and her own positioning. She also actively participated in on-site interactive sessions and appreciated the enthusiastic guidance and resource sharing provided by the staff.

Overall, Ye Xueling believes this experience had a positive impact on her career planning and looks forward to more diverse and equitable internship opportunities in Hong Kong in the future.

Ms. Chiu, a recent graduate in film production, is actively seeking employment with the goal of entering the television or film industry to work in a role related to her field of study. She learned about this year’s Education and Careers Expo online and attended specifically to explore job opportunities, hoping to engage in on‑the‑spot interviews or immediate job applications.

At the expo, she actively participated in CV consultation services, receiving professional guidance on how to present her portfolio more dynamically in job application documents, thereby fully preparing for future interviews. She also proactively engaged with exhibiting organisations to learn about the latest developments and career pathways in the film and television industry.

Ms. Chiu noted that the exhibition atmosphere was lively, with rich interactive sessions that provided her with valuable industry insights and networking opportunities. She strongly affirmed the usefulness of such expos for graduates and looks forward to participating in similar events in the future to explore more career development possibilities.

Mr Tsoi is currently in Form 5, studying elective subjects including Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics Extended Module 2 (M2), and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). He actively participated in this Education and Careers Expo to explore the development directions of different industries and gather practical information for his future academic and career planning.

Tsoi plans to pursue university studies after the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) examination, aiming for the Computer Science programme at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. He has a strong interest in programming and digital technology. At the expo, he paid particular attention to programming-related positions in government departments, such as web development and digital policy support roles, believing that such work combines professionalism and stability, aligning with his career aspirations.

Additionally, Tsoi has a deep interest in the aviation industry, especially technical fields such as aircraft engineering. Through exchanges with exhibiting organisations, he gained a clearer understanding of the entry requirements and career pathways in the industry, noting that this information helps him further clarify his future professional choices.

Overall, Tsoi found the expo content rich and inspiring, broadening his understanding of different industries and providing substantial reference for his upcoming academic and career decisions. He looks forward to participating in similar events in the future to continue exploring diverse pathways related to technology and engineering.

Yordine, from Mozambique in Southern Africa, is a first-year Mechanical Engineering student at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. After completing the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme in Mozambique, he chose to pursue further studies in Hong Kong, drawn by the city’s position as an innovation hub in Asia and his hope to access cutting-edge technology and entrepreneurial resources.

This was his first time attending the Education and Careers Expo, with the main aim of drawing inspiration and guidance from successful entrepreneurs and industry leaders. Yordine was particularly inspired by the story shared by speaker Ada Chan during the “A Date with Giants” session—how he persevered with his startup project despite academic setbacks and external skepticism. This resonated with his own experience of continuing to refine a proposal submitted even after a professor expressed doubts about its feasibility, reflecting the resilience and determination of his generation.

Yordine observed that Hong Kong offers concentrated investment, a highly interconnected industrial ecosystem, and China’s increasingly prominent leadership in innovation. Therefore, he plans to stay and develop his career in Hong Kong after graduation, leveraging local resources to bring his creative ideas to the international stage. He believes Hong Kong uniquely combines Asian dynamism with global connectivity, making it an ideal base for bridging East and West and driving innovation.

Through this event, Yordine not only gained spiritual encouragement but also clarified the purpose of his studies in Hong Kong—to stay close to the source of innovation, learn from it, and participate in shaping the future technological and business landscape.

Agnia, originally from Belarus and raised in Poland, is a first-year undergraduate student in Applied Social Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She chose to study in Hong Kong precisely because of its diverse, cosmopolitan environment, believing that the city would help her broaden her perspectives, develop soft skills, and gain clarity about her future direction through exploration.

By participating in the Education and Careers Expo, Agnia aimed primarily to understand Hong Kong’s job market and industry structure. She was particularly inspired by speaker Ada during the “A Date with Giants” session—a current university student who started her own business while still studying, demonstrating that entrepreneurial opportunities are not confined to the classroom. This gave Agnia a completely new perspective on what is possible during her student years.

Agnia admitted that before coming to Hong Kong, she had never considered working here, but her experience over just a few months has changed her mind. She is now seriously considering staying in Hong Kong after graduation to gain work experience before looking toward opportunities in other regions. The expo not only provided her with local career information but also deepened her appreciation for Hong Kong’s unique value as an international springboard.

Muhammad, from Indonesia, is a first-year student in Industrial and Systems Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, majoring in Intelligent Supply Chain and Engineering Management. He chose to study in Hong Kong because of its position as a logistics hub in Asia and a global trade centre, believing that this would provide unique geographical and industrial advantages for his professional development.

After attending the “A Date with Giants” talk at the expo, Muhammad gained an important insight: even as a generalist with broad interests, there is no need to fixate prematurely on specialised details. Instead, maintaining a passion for asking questions and the perseverance to solve problems are key to driving career growth. He also noted the local job-seeking platform JobsDB, which provided practical new information for his future job search in Hong Kong.

Muhammad plans to stay and develop his career in Hong Kong after graduation, hoping to build his professional path in the supply chain field and leverage the city’s international network and industry resources to accumulate experience. He found the expo’s lecture sessions to be insightful and inspiring, helping students engage with industry thinking and trends. Although his time to visit exhibition booths was limited, he affirmed that the event offers valuable local career insights for international students.