In a world where new industries continue to reshape the job market, pupils must be prepared to navigate change. On 13 June, we hosted our first Career Day, connecting pupils with professionals and practical experiences.
Jacqueline Chen
Economics Teacher
"Through this event, we aim to help pupils gain a deeper understanding of different industries—beyond superficial perceptions—and lay a solid foundation for their future academic and career planning."
Inside the World of Work
Career Day was designed to broaden pupils’ horizons and give them a realistic view of career planning. 10 guests from finance, technology, law, design and other fields shared their expertise using real case studies: how a jewellery designer turns ideas into finished pieces, the impact of an investor’s decisions, the challenges HR professionals face balancing staff wellbeing with company goals and the ways artificial intelligence is changing the workplace. These sessions helped bridge the information gap for both pupils and parents, showing the range of career possibilities.
Both Hiba parents and external experts took part as mentors, providing sector insights. Through interactive sessions, pupils could see how classroom theory connects to the workplace. The speakers used their experiences and examples to help pupils start mapping out their career paths.
Dr Max Zhou
Co-Founder and CEO,
Yuanshi Autonomy and DexRobot
"Had I attended such an event as a pupil, it might have given me a clearer, more tangible understanding of my career path. I hope my sharing provides these young minds with genuine insights, empowering them to plan their futures with confidence and wisdom."
Testing Skills in Real Interviews
Alongside the keynote speeches, pupils took part in mock interviews organised with support from the university guidance team. Pupils prepared CVs and faced questions from professionals across various fields.
The recruiters gave focused feedback on how to improve CVs and interview responses, for example: "Quantifiable achievements outweigh mere listing of experiences", and "When discussing career plans, demonstrate alignment with the role's requirements". This clear guidance gave many participants a better understanding of what employers look for.
The mock interviews provided practical experience rarely found in classrooms. Mentors set up scenarios to test technical knowledge and problem-solving, encouraging pupils to think on their feet and organise their thoughts logically.
Jayden
Grade 10
"The mock interviews showed me the competencies I’ll need for future job applications and clarified my career direction."
Charting a Personal Pathway
Hiba Academy Nantong bases career planning on the idea of “beginning with the end in view”, with a programme that includes career vision mapping, academic planning and skill development. This approach ensures each pupil’s ambitions are directly linked to their education.
Vera Yang
University Counsellor
"Once pupils define their career and university goals, we tailor their high school curriculum, academic support and extracurricular activities accordingly."
For example, pupils interested in business can join workshops on finance and marketing, take part in CCAs, complete an EPQ or arrange internships. The school aims to ensure every pupil’s journey is relevant to their goals, through academic planning, extracurricular activities and mentoring.
At Hiba Academy Nantong, career education and university guidance work together to support pupils. We aim to give pupils the information and opportunities they need to make informed decisions about their future. By offering a range of experiences inside and outside the classroom, we help pupils develop the motivation and skills they need to succeed.
Through these opportunities, we hope every pupil can identify their interests and strengths. Each step of exploration helps them make more confident decisions about their future.
