Inspiring Future Pathways at the Inaugural RIS Career Day
The inaugural RIS Career Day welcomed alumni back to RIS Ruamrudee International School—not as students, but as professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders committed to helping the next generation discover future possibilities.
An initiative of High School Principal Dr. Nathan Meisner, and presented in collaboration with Academy Prêt, Career Day was designed to give students more than a glimpse into different professions. It created opportunities for meaningful conversations, hands-on learning, and honest reflections about the realities of building a career.
Alumni Giving Back
The day opened with an alumni panel moderated by Michael Sawatsewi (Class of 1996), RIS Head of School Advancement. Joining the discussion were Anne Kim (Class of 1999), Founder of Academy Prêt; Chalee Kader (Class of 1998), Michelin-starred chef; Tan Tmangraksat (Class of 1999), Silicon Valley AI and technology executive; and Kunn Tansuhaj (Class of 2011), physician and former management consultant. Together, they shared personal stories of ambition, setbacks, career pivots, and the lessons that shaped their professional journeys.
Throughout the day, students also participated in interactive workshops and small-group discussions led by alumni and industry professionals. Additional alumni speakers included Manyasiri (Pear) Chotbunwong (Class of 2023), currently studying Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystems at Stanford University; Boonlada (Minnie) Sathavornmanee (Class of 2017), a practicing dentist; and Sutipong (Ernst) Sutipitakwong (Class of 2018), a Solution Lead in the technology sector. Together with the many industry professionals who generously volunteered their time and expertise, they gave students a firsthand look at the diverse pathways that await them beyond graduation.
A heartfelt thank you to Academy Prêt, our alumni speakers, industry professionals, and community partners whose generosity, expertise, and willingness to give back made this inaugural event possible.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Rather than presenting polished success stories, the speakers emphasized resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning. Student feedback revealed that one of the day’s strongest themes was the value of authenticity. Students appreciated hearing honest conversations about failure, perseverance, and the reality that career paths are rarely straightforward. Many cited lessons such as “Success is built on a mountain of failures” and “The path to success is not linear” as lasting takeaways, while others reflected on the importance of creating solutions to real-world problems, embracing lifelong learning, and finding purpose in the work they pursue.
Students also valued the opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world careers through hands-on experiences across fields including entrepreneurship, finance, technology, healthcare, law, hospitality, and the creative industries. The combination of panel discussions, workshops, and small-group conversations encouraged students to ask thoughtful questions, explore different perspectives, and begin imagining the many pathways available to them.
Reflecting on the event, Anne Kim praised both the enthusiasm of the RIS students and the thoughtful design of the program. She shared that the alumni were delighted to return to campus and contribute their knowledge, adding that they remain committed to supporting future generations of RIS students. She also commended the day’s closing reflection session, describing it as “mind blowing” in the way it brought students together, encouraged participation from every voice, and helped consolidate the day’s learning.
Building a New Tradition
Feedback from both students and facilitators affirmed the success of the inaugural event. Speakers praised the curiosity, engagement, and thoughtful questions demonstrated by RIS students, while many also expressed their enthusiasm to return for future Career Days, seeing the program as a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with the RIS community. Facilitators likewise recognized the strong organization, welcoming atmosphere, and collaborative spirit that made the event rewarding for both students and guest speakers.
As with any inaugural initiative, Career Day also provided valuable insights for future growth. Feedback highlighted opportunities to expand discussion and Q&A time, further align workshop topics with speaker expertise, strengthen networking opportunities among alumni and professionals, and continue refining the student experience. These suggestions will help shape future editions as RIS builds on the success of its first Career Day.
Career Day 2026 marked the beginning of what RIS hopes will become a meaningful annual tradition—one that connects students with the experiences of those who once walked the same halls. By bringing alumni back to campus, the event celebrated not only professional achievement, but also the enduring bonds of the RIS community and the shared responsibility to inspire those who will follow.
As the program continues to evolve, RIS looks forward to creating even more opportunities for students to explore new possibilities, ask meaningful questions, and find the confidence to dream boldly about their future.
Ad Astra.
