Having uncertainty about what the future holds for you?

Stressed about solidifying your job prospects?

Not sure about how to navigate your career path?

If you are looking for answers, the career sharing session hosted by SAFTI on March 15 might just provide the inspiration you're seeking. We were fortunate to have excellentalumni from the class of 2021, including Ma Xiaoyu, Yang Jiazhen, and Xu Shiyu to join us and share their valuable career experiences and insights. These exceptional alumni currently all hold positions at some of Shenzhen's top financial enterprises.The host for the evening was Xu Binjie, the student tutor for the MPS (Master of Professional Studies) class of 2023. The audience included graduate students from his class. Let's take a look back at this enlightening session together!

Ma Xiaoyu, a member of the Strategic Customer Department at Ping An Bank's head office, offered insights about the role of a product manager. Drawing on his academic expertise in Financial Engineering, he shared the enriching experiences from his internship, work, and life.

He gave three suggestions to the audience of first-year graduate students.First, he emphasized the importance of purposeful internships for personal growth tailored to the target. He suggested identifying a primary career target first, be it banking sectors, accounting firms, futures industries, universities, and the like, and then establishing a clear career roadmap before securing internships in these areas for personal growth. With internships, we can improve industry-specific understanding of the roles and responsibilities ofentry-level employees, professional knowledge and expertise, workplace communication skills, and proficiency in office software. Second, he suggested staying abreast of the shifting terrain of the current economic employment environment and seizing all potential opportunities. This involves preparing effectively for written and oral interviews and practicing regular self-reflection. Building psychological resilience in the face of career challenges is also crucial to control anxiety and improve emotional self-regulation. Lastly, after establishing a foothold in the workplace, the advice was to maintain a calm and composed approach, hold back complaints, and remain dedicated to refining personal skills and strengths. Ultimately, this will enable us to take control of our professional lives.

Yang Jiazhen is currently employed at the Shenzhen branch of China Everbright Bank. He vividly rememberedhis internship journey which kickstarted during his first year of graduate school, orchestrated with the aid ofindustrial mentors at SAFTI. His internship journey was a tapestry of diverse job roles, from quantitative trading to industry research. These varied experiences cemented his decision to pursue a career in the financial technology department of China Everbright Bank.

Regarding internships, Yang Jiazhen stressed the necessity of early preparation and thorough organization. He suggested keeping a close eye on relevant notices and diving deep into the details in a timely manner. Alongside leveraging official channels such as WeChat official accounts and websites for internship opportunities, he also highlighted the advantages of active engagement and consultations with industrial mentors at SAFTI. This, he suggested, could potentially unveil more internship and job opportunities. Reflecting on his professional journey, Jiazhen also emphasized the importance of enhancing professional knowledge in class and improving programming skills to prepare for the future.

Xu Shiyu, who works in the Consumer Rights Protection Department of WeBank, obtained an internship opportunity at WeBank in the second semester of her first graduate year.Her remarkable personal skills and professional demeanor earned her a full-time job offer at the end of the two-month summer internship. She gracefully transitioned into the company's workforce upon graduation. She shared WeBank's corporate culture, team atmosphere, working methodology, and job responsibilities, as well as the satisfaction and growth opportunities she gained during her professional journey. In due time, she shared lovely souvenirs from WeBank to the audience.

During her talk, Xu Shiyu urged everyone to dedicate themselves earnestly to their studies. She emphasized that a solid foundation of professional knowledge built during school days paves the way for successful job hunting in the future. Xu also advocated for a proactive approach to resume customization when applying for internships or jobs. She recommended tailoring resumes to each specific job position rather than mass sending a single standard version.She expressed her aspirations for everyone to stay positive and confident, both in their learning endeavors and future careers, and to learn how to devise effective strategies for accomplishing tasks rather than relying on sheer effort. Highlighting the value of campus life, she urged everyone to make the most of it – engage in physical activities and expand their horizons through reading. In closing, Xu wished everyone a seamless career journey ahead.

Q&A

Question to Yang Jiazhen: Considering your extensive internship experience, I'm curious why there's a difference between your final job position and your original internship direction.

Answer: First, it wasnotuntil after my internships that I realized what I'm interested in for my career. Second, quantitative trading requires a higher level of education, with PhDs in mathematics and other related fields, which does not align with my personal development direction.

Question to Yang Jiazhen: I'm curious about what content is primarily evaluated in the written tests for bank jobs.

Answer: Speaking from my own experience, the tests for technical positions go beyond just standard logical or common sense questions, like thosein theadministrative aptitude tests. They often assess your basic programming skills, too. So, it's quite useful to have a handle on computer languages like Python.

Question to Xu Shiyu: Can you give us some advice on managing pressures from academic life and job hunting?

A: It’s essential not to suppress your feelings when facing pressure. Instead, find ways to release it, like engaging in enjoyable activities. Speaking personally, when I feel the pressures creeping in, I find solace in my favorite food and lose myself in an exercise routine like running.

The audience absorbed every word, gaining a deep understanding from the experience.One student said, "I am so thankful to SAFTI for putting together this enlightening career sharing session with our excellent alumni. This experience has broadened my understanding of the job market for our major. It has not only helped ease my job-search anxieties but also shaped my approach to what steps I should takenext."

The alumni attending this session were all once members of the Student Party Branch at SAFTI. They still maintained their devotion to the school even after their graduation by helping the younger students with the challenges and confusion that come with job seeking. The students listened attentively to the sharing session, with Xu Binjie wrapping it up with a sincere hope for everyone to harness the insights gleaned from this session, gradually define the career path, and alleviate the stresses of job-seeking to clear all confusion before embarking on the career journey!