Shanghai job fair opens doors for global talent

At the Gubei Civic Center on Yili South Road in Shanghai, David Nkem, who is pursuing a PhD at Tongji University, was busy helping his fellow students hand out their resumes at a job fair.

The fair was part of the International 3E Fair, with 3E standing for employment, entrepreneurship and enterprise. Organized by Hongqiao subdistrict in Changning district on Sept 12, it attracted international undergraduates and graduates from nearly 20 countries and regions living in Shanghai.

They met recruiters from more than 20 Chinese and international companies, including Spring Airlines, Michelin China, Bosch China and CITIC Securities.

Among the participating employers, Bosch China has begun its 2027 campus recruitment, seeking talent in fields including new energy, intelligent technologies and comfort technology for residential, commercial and industrial environments, according to a Bosch China staff member at the event.

Nkem, who is from Nigeria, is in the second year of his PhD program. "I already got a job. I came to the fair to help my fellow students get more information and connect with employers," he said.

Nkem noted that, in his experience, Shanghai had become increasingly welcoming to international professionals in recent years, and that the application process for those seeking to work in the city had become simpler.

Another participant, Juan Carlos from Mexico, studied at East China Normal University and has been learning Chinese for 15 years.

"At first, I didn't realize learning Chinese would bring me so many benefits," Carlos said. "Later on, when I came to China to study, I found that speaking the language helped me connect better with people. Now I can even have in-depth conversations with local friends."

After graduation, Carlos was hired by an international e-commerce company.

"Shanghai is offering a lot of support to foreigners, helping them settle into life here," he said.

The event also included a workshop focused on entrepreneurship and international business development, where participants looking to explore overseas markets could gain practical insights and connect with resources for their ventures.

Mentors from fields including artificial intelligence, global business expansion, human resources and cross-border business gave lectures on innovation and entrepreneurship.

Colin C. Thompson, a Canadian mentor at the workshop, led a session titled "Creating Your Winning Pitch", which focused on how to attract investor interest and generate business opportunities within 30 seconds.

"I first participated in the fair and workshop back in 2021. They offer undergraduates and graduates opportunities and inspiration," he said. "I've seen both events continue to improve over the years."

Beyond career and entrepreneurial opportunities, participants also spoke about the sense of belonging they had developed in Shanghai.

Barclay Lelievre, director of Teaching and Learning at Shanghai Community International School, originally from Canada, had been living in Shanghai for the past 11 years.

"The city is a place where you will find warmth, lifelong friends, and a community you will be proud to call home," Lelievre said.

He moved into a residential compound on Hongqiao Road in Changning district in 2015 and has remained there ever since.

"I could never have imagined that 11 years later, I would still be living there, that all three of my children would have graduated and returned to Canada for university, or that they would still visit whenever they can and consider Shanghai home," he said.

Since its launch in 2020, the International 3E Fair has grown from a platform focused on corporate recruitment and entrepreneurship competitions into a comprehensive platform integrating job matching, startup incubation and business development services.

Over the years, it has strengthened connections between international professionals and businesses, attracting more than 350 companies and nearly 6,000 Chinese and international participants, while expanding its role in supporting talent development and entrepreneurship.

zhengyiran@chinadaily.com.cn