ISD alumni share career insights at ‘Voice of Change’ discussion

International School Dhaka organised a panel discussion titled "Voice of Change" to explore careers, global opportunities and life skills in a changing world.

The discussion featured technology leaders, creative professionals and entrepreneurs, including several alumni of the school. Speakers included Toronto-based engineering leader at DoorDash Shehzad Noor Taus, Miss Universe Bangladesh and make-up artist Aniqa Alam, entrepreneur and Privé salon owner Nahila Hedayet, businessman and fitness advocate Rawan Chowdhury, and economist, entrepreneur and make-up artist Salsabina Shorna.

The panel shared experiences on how discipline, creativity, digital skills and ambition shape modern career paths. Students and parents heard how professional journeys often evolve through experimentation and long-term effort.

Shehzad Noor Taus said: "Learning to code at ten gave me a head start that just kept compounding over the years. When you start early, it becomes a part of who you are – and the people around you play a major role in shaping that path."

Aniqa Alam said: "What started off as a simple enjoyment of Instagram slowly turned into a place where people could actually take note of my work and invite me into creative spaces which I had never thought of. Today, it's imperative to have a strong social media presence for creative and professional discovery."

The discussion also addressed the use of social media at work, fitness and mental well-being, and the value of developing a clear professional niche. An interactive question-and-answer session allowed students and parents to engage directly with the speakers.

Steve Calland-Scoble, Director of ISD, said: "What made this panel especially powerful was seeing how our alumni and community members continue to inspire one another through the experiences they began building at ISD. The breadth of careers represented here demonstrates the strength of an ISD education – one that opens doors, nurtures confidence, and equips students with the mindset to thrive across industries and borders."

The event followed ISD's recent 25th anniversary and reflected its continued engagement with alumni and the wider community.