The Thunder Bolt

At Concordia Hanoi, we often say that education is about more than just the "here and now." It is about preparing students for a world that is constantly evolving. To bridge the gap between classroom learning and future aspirations, our Middle School Counselor, Mrs. Bloemberg, organizes our annual 8th Grade Career Day. This event is designed to present a world of possibilities to our students, encouraging them to think critically about what they want to study and helping them understand the practical steps needed to get there.

As students moved between sessions, they discovered that a professional path is rarely a straight line; it is a journey of trial, error, and immense passion. Our students had the privilege of hearing from 12 distinguished professionals who offered an honest look at the modern workforce.

• Diplomacy and Leadership: Thomas Gass, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Vietnam, shared how his background in biological sciences fuels his diplomatic mission. Providing a different perspective on service, Colonel Richard Chen of the U.S. Army gave a powerful look at leadership and the human cost of security.
• Advocacy and Inclusion: Several speakers showed how empathy transforms into a professional calling. Nguyen Minh Trang from Blue Dragon spoke about preventing exploitation, while Stanley Jones of REACH and Kristen Lewis of Imago Work shared their dedication to vocational inclusion.
• Healthcare and Innovation: In the medical field, Dr. Maria Santos discussed the balance of technical expertise and emotional reward in pediatrics. For those interested in the high-stakes world of STEM, MIT-educated engineer Lan Hoang explained the real-world applications of semiconductor manufacturing.
• Business and Creative Direction: Minh Ngoc Pham of Eastern Oriental shared the creative highs of marketing, while Allan Boyd of Navigeight challenged students to think about the complexities of leadership development.
• Education and Athletics: Students also looked inward to our own community leaders. Sarah Lee, our Director of HR, and Dr. Colt Turner, our Director of Teaching & Learning, explained education administration and international recruitment. Finally, Coach Fladimir Lima Souza of the Brazilian Football School reminded students that whether on the field or in the office, one should always work with heart and believe in oneself.

By engaging with these professionals, 8th graders were able to identify the academic requirements, including PhDs, Masters, and specialized certifications, that serve as the foundation for these careers.

The day provided several key realizations for our students:

• The Reality Check: High-level education and continuous learning are common threads among experts.
• Resilience: Dealing with setbacks or resetting failed projects is a normal, necessary part of any professional journey.
• The Power of the Pivot: Most speakers had prior experience in completely different fields, proving that interests can evolve and it is never too late to change direction.
• The Ultimate Reward: The most common "perk" mentioned wasn't a paycheck, but the fulfillment found in helping others succeed.

These conversations did more than just describe a job; they opened a world of possibilities for our students. It was wonderful to see our 8th graders begin to explore these paths and start considering the many directions their own interests might take them. By introducing these diverse options now, we hope to give them the confidence to imagine the roles they might one day play in the world.

Learn more about Concordia Hanoi's Middle School Program.