【Article by IMPIS】

The International Master's Program in International Studies (IMPIS) at our university recently invited Associate Professor Dr. Ray-Yu Yang from the Global Health Master’s/Ph.D. Program at the College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, to deliver a talk titled "Staying in Taiwan: Opportunities, Insights, and Inspiration from a Researcher's Perspective." The event aimed to share strategies and career development opportunities in Taiwan with international students and to inspire them to explore diverse possibilities for their future careers.

Professor Yang has an interdisciplinary background spanning public health, nutrition, agricultural development, and international cooperation. With years of experience in food and nutrition research across Asia, she currently serves as a food systems and nutrition expert at an international organization, bringing with her extensive practical experience and a global perspective on collaboration. She emphasized that interdisciplinary expertise can be a major advantage for international students in the Taiwanese job market.

Before delving into the main topic, Professor Yang invited students to introduce their nationalities and share why they chose to study at NCCU, allowing her to better understand their backgrounds and expectations. About one-third of the students expressed an interest in staying in Taiwan for work after graduation, though most admitted they had limited knowledge of the local job market. In addition, language barriers, housing difficulties, limited social circles, noise, and unfamiliar climate were common concerns that made some hesitant about seeking employment in Taiwan.

Addressing these concerns, Professor Yang acknowledged that while proficiency in Mandarin can be a significant advantage in the Taiwanese workplace, it is not strictly necessary. She emphasized that Taiwan’s high quality of life, safety, cultural diversity, and welcoming environment make it a compelling option for long-term development. However, she also advised students to be mindful of certain workplace cultural differences, such as hierarchical awareness, indirect communication styles, interpersonal dynamics, and professional etiquette.

Citing public data from Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor over the past five years, Professor Yang noted that most international students working in Taiwan come from Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Hong Kong. These students typically prefer jobs in Taipei and New Taipei City, with employment concentrated in industries such as manufacturing, wholesale and retail, professional/scientific/technical services, and hospitality. She encouraged students interested in working in Taiwan to explore various job-seeking platforms, such as 104 Job Bank and the NCCU Career Development Center, to expand their career opportunities. For students in international relations, potential career paths include NGOs, international organizations, academia, foreign representative offices in Taiwan, think tanks, multinational corporations, media, and publishing.

To conclude, Professor Yang shared a 2022 case in which TSMC hired a business intelligence analyst with a background in political science, highlighting how interdisciplinary expertise can be highly competitive in the job market. She encouraged students to think about integrating their own academic training with other disciplines—for example, combining international relations with business, global trade, and supply chain management; or with data analysis and technology; or with public communication, media, and civic engagement—to open up broader career paths.

This talk was the third session in the “Career Development Series for International Students Seeking Employment in Taiwan.” The fourth session, titled "Working in Taiwan: The Challenges and Coping Strategies," will be held on Friday, May 9, at 12:10 p.m. in Room 271111, 11th Floor, North Wing, General Building. All interested faculty and students are welcome to attend.