Against the backdrop of building the China-Laos Community of Shared Future, the Chinese program at Souphanouvong University in Laos serves as a vital platform for cultivating bilingual talents, making the study of students’ employment intentions and actual employment outcomes highly significant. This study, based on questionnaire surveys and interviews, provides an in-depth analysis of the employment preferences of current students and the career paths of the first cohort of graduates. It reveals a gap between market demands and educational offerings. The findings indicate that while students show strong interest in education, tourism, and trade sectors, they face challenges in career planning and practical skills. The first cohort of graduates has entered relatively concentrated employment fields, but some positions do not fully align with their expectations. To address these issues, the study proposes optimizing curriculum design, integrating teaching resources, and enhancing university-industry collaboration, aiming to provide references for the further development of the Chinese program at Souphanouvong University and offer insights for similar institutions in education reform and career guidance.