Early in the morning of June 8^th, the quiet grounds of Pich Chenda High School quickly became a hive of activity as organisations and businesses arrived to set up their stalls in preparation for the annual Career Fair. The event, organised by the Child’s Dream team in Siem Reap, is a staple feature of our bespoke Career Planning Programme for high school students in Cambodia.

As the blazing sun shone down on the school grounds, almost 400 Grade 12 students from both Pich Chenda and Bour high schools started to trickle in, and the fair area was taken over by excited chatter and a wave of enthusiasm. Events like these are not commonplace in the Cambodian education system. Thus, the Career Fair has become a notable feature on the participating schools’ calendars, normally attracting lots of interest and attention.

The one-day event is strategically held during the final year of the three-year high school programme as it allows students to explore what opportunities await them once they graduate. This year, 29 different businesses, organisations, and universities were in attendance to offer guidance on scholarships, further training, and career paths.

The Programme Manager for the Career Planning Programme, Sophean Un, explains the importance of such an event for this age group: “High schools in Cambodia don’t have career guidance services, meaning that lots of students feel lost when it comes to choosing the correct career path. The Career Fair allows them to seek out more information about their career goals.”