On the morning of April 21, the Extracurricular Activities Guidance Section of the Office of Student Affairs hosted a lecture at Ching-Sheng International Conference Hall, inviting Deputy Minister of Education Ping-Cheng Yeh to speak on the topic: "Facing an Uncertain Future: How to Find Your Calling — New Era, New Challenges, New Mindsets." Drawing from years of experience mentoring students and observing industry trends, Yeh offered in-depth insights into the current employment landscape for the new generation, aiming to help students recognize their value and navigate the rapidly changing world. The event was hosted by President Huan-Chao Keh and attracted nearly 150 attendees.

In his opening remarks, President Keh introduced Ping-Cheng Yeh as a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at National Taiwan University and the founder of the online learning platform "PaGamO." Keh praised Yeh’s innovative, student-centered teaching style, which has successfully motivated students and reshaped the traditional higher education model, noting that "he teaches not just for today, but for the future." Keh affirmed Yeh's remarkable contributions to teaching, research, and educational innovation, emphasizing their significance in inspiring students to plan for the future.

Ping-Cheng Yeh began by highlighting the anxiety many university students face today regarding their future direction. Citing statistics, he noted that over 60% of graduates now work in fields unrelated to their original majors, reflecting the shift away from an era dominated by academic credentials. Many startups today prioritize practical experience and problem-solving abilities. "In the next 20 years, about 65% of future jobs haven't even been invented. Stability will no longer exist—you must always be ready to adapt," Yeh warned.

"The faster the world changes, the more opportunities arise," Yeh encouraged students to break free from the constraints of degrees and majors, to proactively gain hands-on experience, and to explore their personal values and career directions. "Try doing things you've never done before—you’ll discover who you are," he urged, emphasizing that "the greatest privilege of being a student is the freedom to fail. Failure isn't scary; regret is." He encouraged students to build resilience and toughness in facing setbacks, stressing that only through daring attempts and learning from failures can one gain a solid footing in the future workplace.

Regarding key traits needed for future careers, Yeh summarized four essential characteristics: “Curiosity and eagerness to learn; Integrity and honesty; Sensitivity to others' emotions and situations; Reliability and diligence.” He emphasized that these traits highlight personal value far more than academic credentials. In an era of rapid AI development, Yeh stressed that merely acquiring knowledge is no longer enough to outcompete machines. Instead, the human advantage lies in continuously learning and adapting. He advised everyone to learn a new skill every three to five years to ensure continuous personal growth.

To help students explore their life's direction, Yeh shared three practical steps to find one's "calling": “Understand the world; Understand yourself; Connect the dots.” He suggested gaining real-world insights through internships, interviews, and workplace observations while embracing diverse challenges to discover one’s passion. Finally, by reflecting on their past experiences, students can identify three to five potential career directions to guide their plans. Yeh also introduced and recommended the Ministry of Education’s "Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative," offering two application tracks—the "Dream Builder Group" and the "Global Soaring Group"—targeted at young people aged 15 to 30. This initiative aims to help the younger generation broaden their international horizons and realize their dreams. He encouraged students to make full use of available resources, step out of their comfort zones, and connect their lives with the world, thereby unlocking infinite possibilities for their future.

During the Q&A session, students asked about the importance of critical thinking, academic credentials, networking, and action. Yeh responded that there is no single answer, and advised students to make good use of available tools, discover their talents, and continually refine them while considering what career path suits them best. Yu-Chen Liu, a sophomore majoring in Business Administration, shared that the lecture helped clarify his career path and that thinking of career planning in two-year stages would help build a more flexible future. Yu-Chi Hsiao, a sophomore majoring in Banking and Finance, said she realized that "there is no perfect decision in life"—the choice made at the moment is the most suitable. There is no need to overly worry or hesitate. Kai-Jie Lu, a junior majoring in Educational Technology, noted that the lecture helped him recognize that career development does not have to be restricted by one’s original major and particularly resonated with the idea that "students have the privilege to fail," reminding himself to bravely experiment and adjust during university years to lay a stronger foundation for his future.

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