3 ways to maximise your career development while at university

When trying to improve your own skillset, having someone external to advise and support you can be crucial. They can objectively identify your strengths and weaknesses, helping you to become a more well-rounded professional.  

The International Mentorship Program at NTU is designed to support international students as they transition into university life in Taiwan, pairing international students with local mentors who provide guidance, support, and insights. 

C-level managers from the public and private sectors are invited by NTU to serve as mentors, providing an opportunity for students to put their theoretical learnings into practice, and at the same time, inspire students to lean into new perspectives within their life and career. 

Through this mentor-mentee relationship, students gain invaluable real-world knowledge and gain a foothold in Taiwan’s professional sector. 

Prof. Hsiao-Wei Yuan, the university’s Vice President for International Affairs, said: “International students often lack opportunities to connect with the public, private, and civic sectors in Taiwan because of the language and cultural barriers. It is very difficult to take that initial step.  

“I hope students will take full advantage of the programme to launch their career and begin their professional development.” 

It’s common for universities to offer internships as part of their curriculum, but not every institution can offer the chance to work as an intern overseas. 

At NTU, the Overseas Internship Program offers students the opportunity to gain international work experience by interning at organisations and companies outside of Taiwan. This programme aims to enhance students' professional skills, cultural understanding, and global perspective. 

There are internship opportunities across a broad range of academic fields, including engineering, life sciences and business. The programme’s global aspect also provides students with an opportunity to immerse themselves within a different culture, something which is ideal preparation for working in a global professional environment. 

Working abroad also helps students develop key skills, such as adaptability, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork, while connecting with like-minded professionals across international borders.  

Project-based learning is such a valuable tool for furthering your knowledge in a particular area, especially when it involves applying theory to a real-world case study or situation. 

At NTU, the iNGO Academy provides students interested in sustainability and non-profit work with an opportunity to work alongside Taiwan’s non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to tackle different social issues. 

Based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the academy enables students to work closely on projects for an organisation and get hands-on experience, furthering their understanding of NGOs and figuring out how to participate in social issues. 

Sustainability is an increasingly important issue for students when deciding where to study and NTU’s commitment in this area is ideal for anyone passionate about a career in this area, or who would like to learn more about how the UN’s SDGs are implemented in practice.