Uni grads face a new future

College students have more choices than ever when it comes to their careers. How will they shape their future? Li Xinran reports.

Every day, we make numerous choices, from selecting our breakfast to deciding on our outfit for the day and planning our weekend. These decisions, both big and small, mold our lives in different ways. As the fall college recruitment season dawns, Gen Zers find themselves standing at an important crossroads in their lives, making choices that will shape their futures.

Having majored in marketing and management in college and now pursuing a degree in integrated marketing communications, Liang Jianluo, a 22-year-old graduate student at Northwestern University, United States, faced several crucial choices. The first and most significant was whether to stay abroad or return to his homeland. Ultimately, he chose to come back to China.

His decision was rooted in a deep emotional connection to his homeland and a profound awareness of the importance of understanding cultural differences.

"Marketing is intertwined with culture," Liang said. "I watched the Barbie movie in a theater in the US, and there were several jokes that I couldn't understand. That was when I realized I needed to come back. If you can't understand your customers like the back of your hand, how can you sell products to them?"

Liang emphasized that his return coincided with China's rapidly evolving social media landscape, and he was afraid of being left behind. "Even though it's my home country, I need to keep up with the culture and market."

Liang's journey included participating in a job-hunting reality show. He had to go through a recruitment process before appearing on the show, submitting his resume and undergoing interviews. As he was an intern under Dong Mingzhu, the chairman and president of Gree Electric Appliances, he said the internship itself was immensely valuable and life-changing.

"Ms Dong is one of the most influential female entrepreneurs in China," Liang said. "Learning marketing strategies, business models, witnessing her personal charm and market insights in person — I was in awe every day."

Liu Rui (pseudonym), 24, made a significant shift in his academic and career path. Having majored in finance during his undergraduate years, he is now pursuing a master's degree in international journalism at Communication University of China in Beijing, a decision guided by his unyielding fascination with journalism.

"I'm a naturally curious person, and journalism allows me to explore various industries and areas," Liu explained.

His academic background led to a memorable internship experience at CGTN's Global Business channel, where he interviewed a multitude of entrepreneurs.

"It was a perfect fusion of my finance and journalism background, and also allowed me to leverage my proficiency in English."

Where to go from here?

For Liang, the completion of internships marked just the beginning. Crafting a compelling resume is key to making a strong first impression.

He meticulously tailors each resume to the specific company or industry he's applying to, showcasing his relevant experience and achievements. "If I aim for an FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) marketing position, for example, I'll highlight my successful marketing events and campaigns at Procter & Gamble. In the case of a strategic role within the new energy industry, I'll emphasize my outstanding achievements in the Oliver Wyman Case Competitions."

Liu, on the other hand, stressed the importance of thorough research. "You should delve deep into the company and, if possible, the department. Carefully read the job descriptions and align your skills with their requirements on your resume."

In the world of medicine, Zhang Liyuan, 26, now a practising ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor at Jiangsu Province Hospital, followed a distinctive path. For medical students, the fall recruitment process typically unfolds a year prior to graduation.

"We don't partake in internships like most other fields. My educational journey comprised five years at Peking University Third Hospital for my bachelor's degree and an additional three years at Peking University People's Hospital for my doctoral degree," she said. "However, as we embarked on rotations across different departments, we essentially operated as full-fledged staff members, even though we were still in the learning phase."

While they don't have to fill out the internship column on their resume, they have their own lists to check. "Each hospital's eight-year program may differ," Zhang explained. "Some focus on clinical experience, while others allocate more time for scientific research. In my case, I immersed myself in clinical work during almost all three years and dedicated my off-hours to research endeavors. However, clinical experience doesn't fit neatly into quantifiable metrics like research papers."

Zhang's solution was to emphasize her clinical expertise and the procedures she could perform. She acknowledged the significance of the medical school she attended and her mentor's influence, highlighting these advantages on her resume.

Learning to talk the talk

Following the submission of resumes, the next crucial step is the interview. Liang shared his strategies, emphasizing the importance of preparation.

"When it comes to inquiries about personal experiences, such as the most significant challenge you've encountered or your leadership experiences, I delve deep into my past to draw out relevant anecdotes," he said.

"On the professionalism front, I undertake extensive research into the industry, the company, and its products, ensuring that I'm equipped with substantial background knowledge."

He also provided other valuable tips for interviews. For example, he advocated taking a moment to think before responding to questions.

"Many interviewees tend to rush their answers. In fact, it's perfectly fine to say, 'That's a great question, please allow me to think for a second,' and then proceed after a brief pause. A well-articulated response is more effective than a hasty one."

He recommended using the "STAR" (situation, task, action, result) principle for storytelling to ensure clarity and understanding.

Liu suggested thinking from the interviewer's perspective and stressed the importance of sincerity. "It's crucial to be honest and show an authentic version of yourself. Interviewers are seasoned and can distinguish sincerity from fabrication."

Nervousness before interviews is a common experience, even for those well-prepared. Liang's remedy involved "warming up" his mouth before the interview and jotting down words of encouragement for psychological reassurance.

Waiting for the final outcome

After the interview, the outcome may be a job offer or a rejection letter. Liu regards this as a mutual selection process.

"Through the interview, you gain profound insights into the position and the company that often surpass what you can glean from the job description," he said, adding that rejections also prompted reflections on how to improve.

Liang agrees that rejection can happen to anyone. For his first internship, for example, he applied to more than 50 companies but only received one interview invitation from P&G, an American consumer goods corporation.

"When people around you get an offer but you don't, it's perfectly human to feel frustrated and beaten up. I think the best way to deal with the frustration is to accept this emotion, vent it, or distract yourself with something else."

For medical students like Zhang, the interview isn't the sole determinant of success. Their years of preparation in school and the specific needs of the hospital in terms of clinical experience or research are also pivotal factors.

If one is fortunate enough to receive multiple offers, they face the challenging task of choosing the right path.

In Zhang's case, her decision-making process starts with considering the city, followed by her well-being and salary, and lastly, whether she can engage in research alongside her work.

On the other hand, for Liu and Liang, most job opportunities are concentrated in first-tier cities like Beijing and Shanghai, making city relocation a non-negotiable factor.

"I value personal development and aspire to strengthen my strengths while addressing my weaknesses," Liang said. "Work-life balance is also of utmost importance to me."

Liu expressed his aspiration to find a job that not only brings him enjoyment and a sense of accomplishment but also fosters financial independence.

Generation Z, in contrast to their parents' generation, enjoys a wealth of opportunities and diverse information sources.

In the past, for example, professions like medicine were highly valued as they were seen as respectable career choices. However, intriguingly, a quarter of Zhang's classmates did not opt for a medical career. They've embarked on different but thriving paths rooted in their academic backgrounds. The unifying characteristic of Generation Z lies in their diversity and their embrace of differences.

Ultimately, for those embarking on the journey of fall recruitment, Liu emphasized the importance of self-awareness. Knowing oneself and one's true desires is the foundation for making right or proper choices.

Contact the writer at lixinran@i21st.c