Secondary students at Tsinghua International School (THIS) stepped out of their classrooms and into the professional world from June 8 to 12, for the annual Career Day Trips.
Far more than a typical field trip, the week-long program immersed students in real-world social learning environments as a core component of the school's academic curriculum. Under the banner "Beyond the Classroom, Into the Future," students ventured across the city — from financial hubs and safety training facilities to film museums, antique markets, university laboratories, and art galleries — coming face-to-face with industry leaders and getting a firsthand glimpse of tomorrow's professional landscape.
Vice Principal Weiky Liu explained: "This year, the school designed 16 career exploration itineraries. While keeping our classic routes, we also tailored experiences for different age groups, with younger students focusing more on hands-on participation and exposure, while older students had greater opportunities to dive deeper into various fields and industries for observation and exploration. From finance and AI to architecture and antique appreciation, from basic scientific research to the integration of art and technology, every route was carefully crafted to give students a more intuitive and authentic understanding of real-world industry ecosystems."
Financial Literacy: Knowledge Meets Play
At CICC Asset Management, students enjoyed a fulfilling and exciting Career Day. In the morning, they learned about the company's profile and business scope, gained foundational knowledge in financial investment, and listened to frontline employees share their personal experiences in the finance industry. The afternoon brought the most anticipated segment, which turned out to be a wealth management board game designed by CICC. Through the game, students simulated financial planning for their futures and intuitively grasped how unexpected life events can impact income and expenses.
Ninth-grader Winston Zuo shared enthusiastically: "This year's Career Day was really fun! We interacted with the employees who gave presentations and learned a lot about careers in wealth management, including what they do and so much more. The whole process, from the morning talks to the afternoon board games, was especially interesting."
Tech & Engineering: From Labs to Life
This year's technology routes covered an exceptionally broad spectrum, offering students a journey from "future visions" to "real-world applications."
At top universities and tech enterprises, students got a firsthand look at the cutting edge. Tsinghua University's Optoelectronics Lab, the Lingjing (Wonderland) Lab, and its humanoid robotics project opened their doors to students. At the iCenter Makerspace, the dazzling array of 3D printers and electronic manufacturing equipment, along with university students' creative projects, captivated the young visitors. Another group visited BST Education, where they not only saw mechanical lions dancing to Michael Jackson and AI-driven soccer robots, but also gained in-depth insights into career paths and curricula in the robotics industry through interactive Q&A sessions.
In modern industries that touch everyday life, the power of technology was equally tangible. Sixth-graders first visited the Xiaomi Auto, witnessing firsthand how battery management, autonomous driving systems, and safety testing processes are transforming the way people travel. They also gained a deep appreciation for technology's role in revolutionizing eco-friendly transportation.
The students then visited the Mengniu Group, though cars and milk belong to two different industries, both play indispensable roles in modern life. They toured milk processing and packaging workshops, learned about the scientific methods that ensure food safety, and were surprised to discover the fascinating intersection between the food industry and everyday chemical technology.
Technology also transformed into a visual spectacle. At the Sony ExploraDream museum, a spectacular science show drew gasps and cheers from the audience whether it was a boomerang that looped back after being thrown or the stunning smoke rings made with dry ice, scientific principles were delivered with laughter and wonder. In the afternoon, digital fireworks blooming underfoot at the touch of star patterns, a mirror maze that completely distorted spatial awareness, and soundproof rooms and optical illusion devices that challenged everyone's perception — all kept the students thoroughly engaged and reluctant to leave.
Art & Humanities: Where Past Meets Future
This year's art and humanities routes took students on a journey through film, antiques, fine arts, and architecture, opening up career possibilities at the intersection of tradition and technology.
In the world of light and shadow, the magic of cinema was redefined by technology. The IMAX giant screen at the China National Film Museum made students feel as if they were immersed in the depths of the ocean, while nearly 20 immersive interactive experiences, from AI-powered face-swapping to "step into" classic films, to virtual production simulations — made the ever-evolving world of film technology tangible and accessible.
During the joint visit to the Sony Imaging Academy and BOE Technology Group, students came to realize that art flows not only across the silver screen, but also pulses through pixels and display technologies.
In more traditional settings, cultural heritage revealed itself in diverse forms. At the Panjiayuan Antique Market, students explored along themed routes such as red-collection memorabilia, calligraphy, and painting, witnessing firsthand how traditional culture is reborn through trade and circulation.
At the Central Academy of Fine Arts, students experienced the depth and diversity of professional creative work through the undergraduate graduation exhibition and studio visits to printmaking and oil painting workshops. The guided tours led by current CAFA students gave participants a clearer understanding of career pathways in the arts.
At the forefront of technology, art found entirely new modes of expression. At the Airgraphy spatial computing workshop in Wangfujing's WF Central, students used their bodies as brushes and space as canvas, creating 3D pendants with AR motion-sensing technology. Eleventh-grader Isabella Yin remarked: "This workshop showed me the creative applications of AI and technology, and made me realize that anyone can design unique jewelry." Nora Li, Deputy Director of Admissions, saw an even deeper significance: "This experience broke down the boundaries between art and technology, and more importantly, reshaped the students' creative thinking. It gave them a glimpse into emerging careers in digital culture and helped build their aesthetic confidence through immersive creation."
At the Society for the Study of Chinese Architecture Memorial Hall, students were deeply moved by the legendary efforts of pioneers like Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin, who, with just a dozen people during the chaos of war, completed surveys of nearly 2,000 ancient structures. In the microanalysis laboratory, they witnessed Chinese and German students jointly working on the scientific restoration of Qing dynasty imperial architectural models that had been lost overseas. Cultural preservation, they came to see, can be both rigorous and profoundly romantic.
Saving Lives: Immersive Safety
For some students, the first stop of Career Day was "becoming a guardian of life." At the Red Cross first-aid training center, students learned CPR, wound dressing, and how to respond to common emergencies. Mannequins, training tools, and the rhythm of chest compressions turned textbook knowledge into a tangible reality, felt in the pressure of their palms and the beads of sweat on their foreheads.
At the Hengtanjie Safety Technology Training Center, the experience was even more immersive. The center featured three main zones: survival safety, everyday safety, and technological safety. Students donned VR headsets and were instantly transported into simulated scenes of fires, earthquakes, and thunderstorms, mastering practical safety skills through thrilling and interactive experiences.
Looking Ahead: The Journey Begins
Though the Career Day activities were brief, the seeds planted in students' hearts have just begun to sprout. Some discovered an unusual patience for mechanical operations; others were drawn to the smell of oil paint in the art studios; and some realized for the first time that "studying finance" is not just about numbers, but about resource allocation and the underlying logic of how society operates.
As Vice Principal Weiky Liu put it: "Through communication and interaction with industry professionals, students not only learn about the requirements and standards of various professions, but also gain an initial understanding of the challenges they may face in the future."
Looking ahead, THIS will continue to deepen its practical educational activities such as Career Day, leading students beyond the campus and into society, broadening their horizons and sparking their thinking in real-world industry settings. The school is committed to guiding each student on their journey of growth, helping them discover their passions through exploration, confirm their direction through experience, and step boldly into their own vast futures — beyond the classroom.
