Mr. Trent Prestegar shared his journey from being a product marketing specialist at D-Link to his current role as a product marketing manager at Supermicro. Mr. Prestegar is also a familiar face from the popular TV show “WTO 姐妹會.” Graduating in 2011 as an alumnus of the IBMBA Program, his story is not only about professional growth but also about embracing the rich Taiwanese culture and the convenient lifestyle that convinced him to make Taiwan his career home.

Taiwan is a well-known ICT manufacturing hub owing to its strong ICT industry base, cutting-edge semiconductor clusters, and advanced manufacturing capacity. Mr. Prestegar categorized Taiwan’s Tech industry into four pivotal sectors: semiconductors, consumer brands, OEM/Contract, and enterprise/components, offering valuable insights into each. He further stated that these sectors play a critical role in propelling Taiwan’s economic development, positioning it as a global Tech leader. While Taiwan sets its sights on becoming Asia’s high-tech hub, Mr. Prestegar sheds light on the experience of working in the sector as a foreigner. He acknowledged that, in general, it is a tremendously positive experience, albeit not entirely without its challenges. “Foreign professionals often find Taiwanese workplaces welcoming, yet proficiency in Mandarin is not just beneficial but a necessity for a smoother integration into the Taiwanese workplace,” he encouraged international students eyeing a career in Taiwan.

During the speech, Mr. Prestegar also engaged the audience with a hands-on activity called “Master Creativity.” Students were divided into groups with diverse backgrounds and challenged to market a product meeting the varied needs of consumers in different countries. Through this exercise, students not only delved into cross-cultural communication but also learned the importance of leveraging individual strengths to create a product that resonates across various markets. The activity provided a practical application of marketing and fostered a collaborative innovative mindset among participants.

Mr. Prestegar rounded off his speech with valuable career advice, stressing the significance of any job, building a professional portfolio, and maintaining adaptability and flexibility. He also highlighted the importance of networking, saying that opportunities often arise unexpectedly. In essence, Mr. Prestegar's speech provided insights into the dynamic Taiwan tech industry. Most importantly, his experience provides practical guidance for those looking to embark on or enhance their careers in Taiwan.