On March 17, the 2023 Career Advisors Program commenced at Yenching Academy. YCA Dean Dong Qiang, Associate Deans Fang Shiming and Brent Haas, and seven distinguished professionals from various sectors met with our Scholars at the Yanyuan Garden.
Prof. Fan Shiming, on behalf of the Academy, expressed gratitude to the seven career advisors for their participation in this year’s program and provided a brief introduction of the Advisors Program.
Dean Dong Qiang thanked the career advisors for their commitment to the Program despite their busy schedules. He emphasized the significance of the Career Advisors Program, launched in 2022 to facilitate communication between YCA Scholars and industry insiders, aiming to build students’ leadership skills. Drawing from his experience guided by Milan Kundera, Prof. Dong highlighted the crucial role of mentors in students’ academic and career development, likening them to beacons guiding towards a successful future. He hoped that our Scholars would leverage the Program’s strengths to explore various sectors and enhance their professionalism, believing that with the advisors’ guidance, they would gain clarity their future career paths and self-development.
The seven career advisors introduced themselves and conveyed their good wishes for the Program and the future career trajectories of YCA Scholars.
An Fengshan, Associate Dean of the Academy of Media and Public Affairs, Communication University of China, shared his experience in media and communication affairs across governmental institutes, enterprises, and schools over the past three decades. He noted his pleasure to mentor YCA Scholars, drawing on his experience and tapping into his network, and his preference for face-to-face interactions over online meetings.
Winston Chen, Executive Vice President and Head of Public Affairs for Edelman China, stressed the significance of globalization in shaping future paths and advocated for collaborative efforts to build a safe, open world that enjoys prosperity. A veteran in the media, government relations, and consultancy sectors, Chen hopes to share his expertise in intercultural communication and cooperation as contributors to human societies.
Ibrahim Chowdhury, Senior Economist at the World Bank’s Beijing Office, highlighted his passion and vocational interest in international policies and economic analysis. He stressed his intention to mentor our Scholars in these areas, helping them to be reformers for the future of the world.
Li Lingxi, Managing Director of Princeton University Press China, has worked with PUP and its authors to reach wider academic and intellectual circles and readership in China, boosting intercultural exchanges, dialogs, and understanding between China and the West. She saw the Academy’s Career Advisors Program a platform to share her experience in publication and intercultural communication, and an opportunity for two-way collaboration with our Scholars to promote mutual exchange and learning between China and other cultures.
Qiu Lili, Co-founder of Peaceland Foundation and Beijing AngelMom Charity Foundation, discussed her team’s humanitarian and rescue efforts following massive earth quakes in Turkey and Syria. She noted the inspiration she drew from the experience, underscoring the essence of cross-regional and country collaboration for humanitarian efforts that disregarded nationalism-generated prejudices and stereotypes. Qiu expressed her desire to invite our Scholars to look at the broader world of international humanitarian activities and the protection of women’s and children’s rights and interests to foster mutual understanding and closer collaboration between China and the rest of the world.
Chen Taiyong, Founder of Sichuan Haihui Poverty Alleviation Center, shared his decades-long dedication to rural revitalization, poverty reduction, and international non-governmental organizations. He was happy to join the Program again, offering guidance to YCA Scholars in his areas of expertise.
Zhou Jiangong, Founder of Weijin Research and former Vice President of Envision Energy, is a media veteran, with exposure to corporate venture capital and research sectors. He noted his willingness to support YCA Scholars interested in China’s scientific and technological innovation and offer guidance on their academic research and career planning.
The Scholars were impressed by the advisors’ perseverance and global perspectives, finding the meeting inspiring. They expressed high expectations for the Program, with some, particularly Hou Jingchuan, seeking guidance on career planning and development, and Caitlin Tierney from the United States hoping to navigate challenges as overseas students in China. Caitlin saw in the Program precious opportunities for overseas students who want to work in China, highlighting the benefits for international students to meet and learn from experts and industrial insiders across various sectors in China.
Associate Dean Brent Haas gave comments at the end of the meeting. He encouraged our Scholars to “stay curious, stay humble” as the Career Advisors Program aims to build a two-way channel of communication between advisors and students, more than a one-way output of advisors’ experience, knowledge, and advice. Also, Haas emphasized the importance of open dialogs and communication as these can introduce new views and perspectives.
Following the meeting, the advisors and students engaged in group discussions, leading to a better understanding of each other and sparking a new journey of self-discovery for the students’ future study and career paths. Our Scholars expressed gratitude for the opportunity to interact with career advisors and looked forward to broadening their horizons and exploring new possibilities.
Qiu Yixuan (China, 2022 cohort): I appreciate YCA for providing this valuable opportunity to connect with Career Advisors. As a YCA Scholar, I've been contemplating my career path. While I have a clear career goal, I occasionally feel anxious because I lack a concrete vision of what my future job might entail. I also harbor uncertainties about whether I can secure a position aligned with my true interests. Moreover, I acknowledge my limitations in understanding career progression. The advisors' diverse career experiences have left a strong impression on me. Through this Program, I aspire to broaden my understanding of career opportunities and explore various possibilities. Additionally, I hope to glean insights into life and career philosophies from the advisors to better navigate future challenges and uncertainties.
Jae Young Lee (South Korea, 2022 cohort): My Career Advisor, Ms. Li Lingxi from Princeton University Press, has been instrumental in guiding me. As I study Chinese history at the Academy, I recognize the importance of understanding the translation of overseas sinology works and fostering academic exchanges between China and other countries. This comprehensive perspective allows me to grasp the role of history across diverse academic disciplines. PUP has a longstanding involvement in China-foreign academic exchanges, evident through its academic events and WeChat newsletters. Today's meeting with my Career Advisor was particularly enlightening. I look forward to exploring China's academic publication market further and engaging in discussions with Ms. Li regarding paradigms and trends in academic exchanges between China and other nations.
Feng Jiong (China, 2022 cohort): Mr. Chowdhury's words resonated with me when he likened career life to an adventurous journey to explore the world. He emphasized that uncertainties present opportunities for personal and career growth. Embarking on this journey fueled by curiosity allows us to learn and experience, paving the way for a career filled with endless possibilities.
Amanda Cassano (USA, 2022 cohort): I’m impressed by Mr. An Fengshan's initiatives during his tenure as New Hope Group's Chief Brand Officer, inspiring me to participate in this Program. My interest lies in China's food production chain. An's insights have prompted me to contemplate New Hope's role as a leader in the agri-food industry.
Career Advisors Program
Yenching Academy established the Career Advisors Program as a platform for current students to connect with and receive support from PKU alumni and industry insiders. Through the Program, the Academy aims to enhance Yenching Scholars’ career prospects and improve their professional skills within the realm of China Studies. Likewise, the Program stands as a channel to facilitate collaborations between industry stakeholders, universities, and research institutions, fostering mutual benefits and contributions to education development.
Each year, the Academy invites notable figures from various sectors as Career Advisors, offering invaluable support to Yenching Scholars in career planning and development. Through interactions with these seasoned professionals, our Scholars refine their professional competencies and gain insights that broaden their horizons, clarifying their future career aspirations.
Within the Career Advisors Program, the Academy organizes a range of activities, including dialogues, seminars, onsite visits, recommended internships, guided projects or surveys, and shadow exercises, providing comprehensive support to our Scholars as they navigate their career paths.
