International career transitions were the focus of a recent Alumni Panel Event, in which Jingyi Tong (MSc Economics and Finance, 2020) shared valuable insights about her professional career.
Jingyi is an Infratech Consultant and Researcher at Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and a Global Strategy & Operations Lead at the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Youth.
Following graduation in 2020, Jingyi worked as a Commercial Finance Intern and then received a return offer as a Finance Analyst in London. Impressively, Jingyi successfully navigated three separate graduate employment processes after applying for numerous jobs, receiving one graduate scheme offer and two internship offers.
Jingyi advised students following her path to: “Be prepared for online numerical or verbal tests. Just try to practice as much as you can. Also, study some case studies before you go to the assessment centre.”
In 2022, Jingyi joined PwC in Shanghai as an Associate in Management Consulting and then SheShapes, a youth initiative within the World Economic Forum Global Shapers community to help tackle gender inequity in green industries.
On her return to China, Jingyi explained, “The most important reason was that I hadn’t been home for at least three or four years.” However, Jingyi also acknowledged the career advantages of returning home, especially with moving into the public sector. “For me to do this transition, it was much easier in my home country than in a country that needs me to apply for all the work visas.”
As for careers tips and advice for students, Jingyi emphasised the importance of networking and making connections within organisations ahead of job searching, as many roles are not advertised.
She also encouraged using LinkedIn and leveraging university resources such as the career service.
Looking ahead, Jingyi remains committed to her career in international development, aspiring to contribute to climate action and finance within global organisations.
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