03/05/2026
【Speech Event】
0320_NDHU BA_Ms. Ha Thi Xuan_Preparation Meets Opportunities
When Preparation Meets Opportunity: An Alumna’s Career Insights and a Three-Phase Approach
To help international students better understand what it takes to prepare for future careers, the Department of Business Administration at National D**g Hwa University (NDHU) continues to host a series of business talks, inviting alumni to return and share their workplace experiences. On March 20, 2026, the department welcomed alumna Ha Thi Xuan (Spring), currently working as a Customer and Sales Supporter at Savino Del Bene (Taiwan) Freight Forwarding Co. Ltd., to speak with students. Her talk, titled “Preparation Meets Opportunities,” focused on how she navigated the transition from student life to the workplace.
Spring began by sharing her own journey. She noted that many students feel uncertain and even anxious as graduation approaches—they are not always sure what kind of job suits them or where to begin. Instead of rushing to send out applications, she suggested taking a step back and first getting to know oneself. She organized her experience into a three-phase preparation process, starting from self-understanding and gradually moving toward entering the job market.
The first phase is internal recognition. Spring encouraged students to reflect on their interests, strengths, and areas for improvement. For those who are still unsure about their direction, she suggested talking to senior students, professors, or mentors, and making use of online career assessment tools. In her view, the starting point of job searching is not the market, but a clearer understanding of oneself.
The second phase focuses on aligning with the market. She advised students to carefully read job descriptions rather than focusing only on job titles. By understanding the actual requirements—such as language skills, technical tools, or working conditions—students can better assess whether a position truly fits them. Some roles involve frequent client interaction, while others may require fieldwork. Job searching, she noted, is not only about being selected by companies, but also about choosing the right environment for oneself.
The third phase is entering the job market with preparation. Spring introduced the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) as a useful way to structure resumes. She emphasized that students should go beyond listing tasks and instead clearly present what they have achieved. Even for fresh graduates, course projects, extracurricular activities, or volunteer work can be turned into meaningful experiences, as long as their contributions and outcomes are clearly explained.
Beyond resumes and applications, Spring also highlighted the importance of networking and proactive outreach. Some opportunities are not publicly advertised, so building connections can make a difference. She encouraged students not to be afraid of reaching out to companies, even if there are no current openings, as such efforts may leave a positive impression. She also recommended attending career fairs and considering Management Trainee (MT) programs, which offer opportunities to explore different roles and gain practical experience.
In closing, Spring reminded students not to wait until everything feels “perfect” before taking action. Rather than worrying about language proficiency or limited experience, she emphasized the importance of a willingness to learn and to try. For international students in Taiwan, working is also a process of gradual adaptation—developing professional skills while improving language ability along the way.
The session felt less like a formal lecture and more like a conversation with a senior who had gone through the same journey. Instead of offering rigid formulas, Spring shared a way of thinking: opportunities do not simply appear after one is fully prepared—they often emerge along the path of preparation itself.
