SINGAPORE - The Vietnamese Youth Alliance in Singapore (VNYA) successfully hosted its 2025 Career Fair at Singapore Management University (SMU), drawing significant participation from students, prominent employers, and seasoned career professionals. The event, held in a hybrid online and in-person format for the first time, aimed to equip students with essential strategies to navigate the increasingly competitive job landscape, particularly for international students in Singapore.

The career fair attracted approximately 300 students from Singapore, Vietnam, and other countries, recognizing the mounting pressure in both Vietnamese and Singaporean job markets. Ms. Nguyen Thi Xuan Mai, President of VNYA, underscored the fair's mission to provide students with actionable insights to secure coveted career opportunities.

The event featured a comprehensive program, commencing with online sessions held from March 22nd to 23rd. These virtual sessions delved into critical areas such as digital technology, e-commerce, and the importance of personal branding in today's professional arena.

The in-person component of the fair took place at SMU on March 28th, providing a valuable platform for direct engagement between students and industry professionals. Representatives from the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore, alongside major corporations including Vietnam Airlines, offered perspectives on current employment trends and effective job-seeking methodologies. Students had the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge on overcoming career hurdles and building the self-assurance necessary for success.

Mr. Do Huy Hieu, a key member of the organizing committee, emphasized the event's core objective: to connect students with experienced industry experts, allowing them to learn from real-world experiences and gain practical insights.

A significant aspect of the career fair was the provision of personalized support through consultation booths. Experts offered one-on-one guidance on crucial aspects of career development, including crafting compelling CVs, optimizing LinkedIn profiles for professional networking, and mastering interview techniques. Beyond immediate job placement, the experts stressed the importance of long-term career growth, highlighting the value of networking, seeking mentorship opportunities, and cultivating a strong personal brand.

The need for such an initiative is underscored by the challenges faced by many Vietnamese students in Singapore. With a significant number pursuing degrees in high-demand fields like engineering, information technology, and economics, the competition for graduate positions is intense. Many fresh graduates reportedly spend between six to eight months before securing employment.

To further bridge the gap between academic learning and industry expectations, the VNYA incorporated valuable company visits into the career fair program. Notably, attendees had the opportunity to tour Google Singapore, gaining firsthand exposure to workplace culture and the expectations of a leading global employer.

The 2025 VNYA Career Fair stands as a significant initiative in supporting Vietnamese students in Singapore as they transition from academia to the professional world, providing them with the resources and connections needed to thrive in a competitive environment.