Concurrent Breakout Sessions I [11:10 am - 12:20 pm]

A. Leverage Your Diverse Background to Propel Your Career

Description 
Many of us realize the inherent benefits of our diverse backgrounds, but how can we leverage them to move our careers forward? Are there ways to utilize career programs, opportunities or resources geared toward diverse professionals? In this workshop, a number of successful, diverse professionals share their own experiences on how their diversity has positively impacted their own careers and how you can apply these strategies back at work.

Outcomes

• Hear specific examples from successful professionals that will help you leverage your diverse background at work.
• Learn about corporate career programs and initiatives geared toward diverse professionals that can assist with your career development.
• Share experiences and network with other diverse professionals to build your network and uncover career programs and opportunities.

B. Uncovering and Obtaining Career Opportunities in Asia. Worth the Career Investment?

Session sponsored by HKUST Business School

Description
Many conference participants possess the cultural background, language fluency and business etiquette skills to make them viable candidates for career opportunities in Asia, but how does one obtain them and is it a worthwhile experience for one’s career? Join us for this popular conference topic with a panel of presenters who can share their own experiences working in Asia, how to locate such opportunities, how to best prepare and how to make it a successful career investment.

Outcomes

• Hear examples and insights from successful professionals who have worked in Asia.
• Learn ways to help you identify and obtain a career opportunity in Asia and how it can enhance your career development.
• Gain insights on how to best prepare for a career opportunity in Asia, how to have appropriate conversations about your interests with your management and Human Resources in your organization and how to ensure a successful experience.
• Network with other professionals to build your network and uncover possible career opportunities in Asia.

C. Asian Women Leaders in the Boardroom and C-Suite. What Progress Has Been Made and What Does the Future Hold?

Description
The most recent census has shown that the Asian population in the U.S. has grown significantly. While progress of Asian female representation as graduates of higher education and in the professional workforce has improved, recent progress in increasing Asian females in leadership roles has plateaued. What is the current picture of Asian female leadership representation in corporate America and how can you improve your prospects of moving into a leadership role in your organization?

Outcomes

• Understand the current Boardroom and C-Suite landscape for Asian women leaders.
• Learn how successful Asian female executives have advanced in their careers and how you can apply these strategies in your career.
• Network with other Asian female leaders and professionals to build your network.

Concurrent Breakout Sessions II [3:50 pm - 5:00 pm]

A. Pursuing an Entrepreneurial Start-Up as a Career Option. What You Should Know to Improve Your Chances for Success.

Description
With a growing number of start-ups in places like New York’s Silicon Alley and California’s Silicon Valley, working in or launching your own start-up may be an attractive career option. But how do you find career opportunities in a start-up? What are the pros and cons? And what should you know about launching your own start-up? Hear from a panel of experts who work in or launched their own start-ups and what the benefits and challenges have been.

Outcomes

• Learn how to identify start-up opportunities and the benefits and pitfalls of working for a start-up.
• Find out about the most sought after skills and backgrounds for those considering career opportunities in a start-up.
• Learn about differences in organizational culture and practices of a start-up vs. other organizations.
• Gain a realistic perspective of what it takes to launch your own entrepreneurial start-up and how to improve your chances for success.

B. Career Strategies for International Students

Description   

Even for the most talented international students, the U.S. job market is tough to break into. In order to impress employers and overcome barriers such as visa restrictions, international students must learn the right strategies to set themselves apart from the crowd and demonstrate their value. Learn about key obstacles that international students face while job-searching in the U.S. and gain insight into ways to open doors for employment.

Outcomes

• Understand the practical challenges facing international students today.
• Hear success stories from international professionals of all levels who worked or studied in Asian countries before coming to the U.S.
• Learn strategies to define your goals as an international job-seeker and target the right companies.
• Meet other international students and build your local network.

C. The Changing Face of Global Leaders

Description
Global demographics are changing and that is creating opportunities for emerging Global Asian leaders. Where are the opportunities for Asian leaders and where are the most significant changes occurring? What are the key trends shaping the global landscape and how can one best prepare him/herself for opportunities as a future global leader?

Outcomes

• Understand the current landscape of Asian Global leaders and the outlook for future leadership opportunities.
• Learn how successful Asian leaders have advanced in their careers and how you can apply these strategies in your career.
• Learn how to best prepare your self for a new or future role as an Asian Global leader.
• Network with other Asian leaders to build your professional network and pipeline of prospective contacts for future leadership roles.