A one-day alumni-led initiative connected 50 participants with entrepreneurs and technology professionals to explore digital skills, freelancing, and emerging career opportunities. The Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN), through a Connect Grant led by Waqas Ahmad, a 2021 English Access Microscholarship Program alumnus, brought together 50 participants in Multan for an interactive learning and networking event focused on preparing young professionals for Pakistan’s evolving digital economy.
Titled Connecting Youth with Businesses to Build Pakistan’s Future Digital Workforce, the initiative aimed to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry expectations by connecting emerging professionals with entrepreneurs, technology experts, and business leaders.
Connecting Young Professionals with Industry Expertise
The event featured expert-led sessions on entrepreneurship and the startup ecosystem, digital transformation, innovation, freelancing, e-commerce, and career development.
Participants engaged directly with experienced professionals through interactive discussions and question-and-answer sessions, gaining insights into emerging workforce trends, digital business opportunities, and the skills required to pursue careers in technology-driven industries.
An interactive networking activity also encouraged participants to build professional connections, exchange ideas, and explore potential career pathways.
Turning Digital Awareness into Practical Career Knowledge
A key outcome of the Connect was the opportunity for participants to seek practical guidance directly from industry professionals.
Saif Ur Rehman, 24, from Multan, reported that the freelancing and e-commerce discussions, particularly the session featuring Tanveer Nandla, helped him better understand how to establish an online store and approach potential clients.
Sadia Yasin, 21, from Vehari, highlighted the knowledge gained through the event and reported greater confidence in participating in professional learning activities.
These experiences demonstrate how direct engagement with industry experts can help young professionals better understand digital career pathways and take informed steps toward entrepreneurship and online work.
Applying U.S. Exchange Learning to Workforce Development
For Waqas Ahmad, the initiative emerged from recognizing a challenge facing many university graduates: the gap between academic qualifications and the practical skills, professional exposure, and industry connections needed to enter the workforce.
Drawing on his experience as a U.S. exchange alumnus and his work in youth engagement, Waqas developed the Connect as a platform to bring young professionals closer to industry expertise and emerging economic opportunities.
The event engaged 50 participants, providing direct access to entrepreneurs and technology professionals while encouraging greater awareness of digital skills, freelancing, and entrepreneurship.
Through initiatives such as this, PUAN continues to support alumni-led efforts that connect U.S. exchange experiences with practical workforce development, professional networking, and opportunities for participation in Pakistan’s growing digital economy.
