Ming Khor, founder and CEO of Keru, a company that connects professionals and students with projects in the social impact sector, shares the same sentiment on passion.

"I loved experiencing new cultures and wanted to see how I could help out, which is my passion," says Khor. "Founding a company has been rewarding but also extremely challenging, but I wouldn't trade it for anything."

Many of the students were grateful for the opportunity to interact with those working in jobs that make a positive impact on society. Hu Xingyu, a Grade 9 student at Shanghai YK Pao School, a nonprofit international Chinese school, says she was heartened to hear how these professionals choose service and making an impact over money and prestige.

"I'm interested in the field, and now more convinced that I should choose it as a career," says Hu.

Zhou Tianhui, also a Grade 9 student at the same school, says she was inspired by the speakers' stories and learned how she needed to prepare herself for an impact-oriented career. The junior high school girl is now a founder of a Shanghai-based NGO, Seeds United for Nature, that encourages children to participate in volunteer work.

"It's a local organization now, but I'm committed to making it global," she says.