To help youth develop positive career mindsets and self-confidence, the Mai's Hsin Tung Yang Foundation launched its "Career Exploration Program." Through hands-on workplace experiences, participating youth learn communication, teamwork, and service etiquette, discovering their interests and potential through real interactions to shape their future blueprints.

In 2025, the Foundation partnered with the Li-You Youth Center to invite eight independent youth aged 14 to 17 to Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 1 for a "Workplace Experience Day." Starting at the B1 Food Court, the program guided participants through airport departure and arrival procedures and visited the Zhen Hao Shi Restaurant and Hsin Tung Yang retail stores, offering an in-depth look into diverse roles across airport retail and dining in a real-world setting.

Career Exploration at Taoyuan International Airport

During the service experience at the Hsin Tung Yang store, the youths put on uniforms and stood behind the counter at the Taiwan Specialty Pavilion. They practiced customer greeting, service standards, and introducing local Taiwanese specialty food gifts to international travelers. To build practical response skills, the session included role-playing exercises where youths acted as customers. When faced with requests exceeding standard service scopes, staff demonstrated how to guide customers calmly, methodically, and professionally. Through this experience, the youths gained fundamental service skills while recognizing that service mindset and emotional regulation are vital workplace soft skills.

In the Zhen Hao Shi kitchen experience, participants took part in order-taking, meal preparation, food plating, and cashier duties. Moving from initial hesitation to smooth teamwork, they practiced active communication and developed an appreciation for the dedication behind every dish.

A student majoring in food and beverage management was particularly engaged: "Having the opportunity to learn directly from professional chefs is rare. It gave me a clearer understanding of the challenges and achievements in this industry."

The chef at Zhen Hao Shi also shared the realities of the culinary profession: "On weekends, Lunar New Year holidays, and typhoon days, we remain dedicated at our stations in the kitchen." This gave the youth a tangible sense of how reliability and dedication create professional value. Through the dual experiences in retail and kitchen operations, the participants gained a deeper understanding of workplace responsibility, professional stability, and vocational value.

Guiding Youth to Shape Their Future Blueprints

This authentic workplace experience offered the youth fresh perspectives on careers and their personal futures. For some, it was their first time visiting an airport; their curiosity and focus marked the starting point for envisioning their own life paths.

The Mai's Hsin Tung Yang Foundation believes that supporting youth in exploring careers and achieving independence is a vital part of fulfilling corporate social responsibility. As an integrated hub combining retail and dining services, the Hsin Tung Yang commercial area at Taoyuan Airport Terminal 1 connects diverse industry roles while serving as an extension of Taiwan's culinary culture. This setting provides a safe, supportive environment for youth to practice, build confidence, and understand the true meaning of work.

Guided by its core mission of "Culture × Education × Care," the Foundation will continue driving career exploration programs, empowering youth to understand the value of teamwork and professionalism through hands-on learning so they can step confidently into the next chapter of their lives.