On the evening of April 27, 2026, the second session of the Career Experience Sharing Series, hosted by ICTP-AP, was successfully held online. Themed "Choices and Preparations for a Teaching Career," the event featured two PhD graduates currently teaching at different types of institutions: Li Hanhai, a physics teacher at the Affiliated High School of Peking University, and Wang Bo, a faculty member in the School of Physics at Ningxia University. They engaged in in-depth discussions with students on topics such as career choice, preparation for teaching positions, and professional development.

    During the first sharing session, Li Hanhai drew on his personal experience to elaborate on key aspects of job seeking, work challenges, and rewards for doctoral graduates entering secondary school teaching. He pointed out that secondary education requires not only solid professional knowledge but also strong teaching and communication skills. He emphasized the importance of thorough preparation before applying, demonstrating a proactive attitude, and effectively highlighting one's personal strengths. Despite the heavy workload of secondary school teaching, he noted that interacting with young students brings a strong sense of professional fulfillment.

Following that, Wang Bo shared insights into the daily work life of faculty at local universities. He painted a realistic picture of the academic environment at regional institutions, touching on how faculty balance teaching and research, allocate institutional resources, and navigate the promotion review process. He noted that local universities also offer room for research development, along with a relatively manageable work pace, making them a viable and sustainable career path for doctoral graduates.

In the interactive Q&A session, students actively inquired about preparation for academic careers, job-seeking strategies, work pressure, and career development. The two speakers offered detailed and candid answers.

The sharing sessions by the two speakers outlined two authentic and feasible career pathways for the students—whether choosing to step into a secondary school classroom or pursue a university faculty position, continuous decision-making and thorough preparation are essential to success. Please stay tuned for our future events.