Students of the Professional English (ENG3111) course in the BA in English program at the American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) took the lead in organizing a career talk titled “Future Skills for English Graduates” on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at the AIUB Media Studio.  This program was organized as part of the course project under the supervision of their course teacher, Ms. Shahrina Afrin Siddique, Lecturer, Department of English, AIUB to promote leadership among students and encourage development under the slogan “Taking the Lead: A Student-Led Event for Student Development”.  The initiative provided students with an opportunity to transform classroom learning into hands-on professional experience. Approximately 80 students and faculty members participated in the interactive session, which explored the skills, career pathways, and professional opportunities available to English graduates in an evolving job market.

The career talk brought together three speakers from diverse professional backgrounds: Mr. Md. Saogatur Rahman, Manager, Organizational Development (OD), HR, Aman Group; Mr. Syed Abdul Muhit, Special Correspondent, BanglaVision; and Ms. Ashrafun Nahar, Faculty, North South University. Dr. Tazul Islam, Dean, FASS, AIUB, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Dr. Faria Sultana, Associate Dean, FASS, AIUB, attended as the Special Guest, while Dr. Prodhan Mahbub Ibne Seraj, Head, Department of English, AIUB, chaired the program.

Distinguished guest speakers from three key professional sectors shared their experiences in human resources, media, and academia. The speakers emphasized the importance of effective communication, critical thinking, adaptability, consistent reading, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in preparing for the future workplace. They also discussed a range of career opportunities and professional sectors open to English graduates beyond conventional career paths.

Beyond its focus on career development, the event served as a practical learning experience for the student organizers. By planning and delivering the program themselves, students gained firsthand experience in leadership, teamwork, professional communication, problem-solving, and event management. The initiative ultimately encouraged students to look beyond traditional career routes and recognize the diverse opportunities available to English graduates in today’s rapidly changing professional landscape.