Qinghua “Jack” Chen achieved a master’s degree in Economics, Finance and Management at the University of Bristol in 2022. He has since returned to his home country of China and successfully begun a career in the Shanghai financial sector.
We asked Jack how he had navigated the path from university in the UK to the workforce in China, and his advice for students hoping to do the same in future. Jack also spoke about why an international education has been useful for his employment prospects, and what made Bristol an excellent place to study…
Please can you tell us about your job, and what you like best about it?
I work at Coface (Shanghai) Management Consulting Co. LTD as a credit analyst.
After graduation, I became an auditor at the PwC China Shanghai Office. Due to the damage caused by the Evergrande financial fraud incident to the firm, I found it unpromising to continue my career in that position. So, I chose to leave and look for better opportunities.
There are lots of advantages in Coface:
- Coface is one of the best credit insurance companies in the world, with a long history and mature management system. It gives me a promising opportunity to continue my career path in the risk management field, where I have access to internationally leading risk management methods and up-to-date business intelligence.
- I got a good salary package, with about a 30% increase on my previous role. Plus, there are 17 days annual leave, 12 days sick leave, and birthday leave, which is the top level among all the firms in China.
- I can really achieve work-life balance here, which is rare in China if you want to find a decent job with decent pay. I don’t need to work in the evenings and my line manager does not ask me to do things at weekends. And I get three days per week to work from home, which reduces my commuting stress and improves my working efficiency.
What challenges are there to finding a job in China, and how did you overcome them?
The first challenge was that I was not familiar with this ‘job search stuff’. I always wondered where to find information about good jobs.
- I believe that there are three steps when trying to find a satisfying opportunity: Visit the official website of the firm you like (plus WeChat public accounts would be a more efficient way to learn about companies in China) and see if there is a suitable job.
- Then it’s time to use recruitment apps like 51Job, Boss etc. in China (or LinkedIn in the UK). This process helps you get to know more about the job market and yourself. You may not know what you want to do or what would be a good choice, and you can find out during this step.
- Once you have a clear target, use everything you have. Call HR using the contact details on their website, ask friends for references etc. Be brave and have faith.
“Future students – please start this as early as you can. The best positions are limited. ‘Early birds catch the worm’.”
How can students stand out from other candidates, to secure a job in China?
Another challenge for me was that I had not done an internship related to the positions I chose. This was a disadvantage compared to some candidates.
However, this can be compensated for by a perfect performance during the interview, if you pass the resume screening process:
- The trick is to make sure you know about the business of the firm and job duties. When you are asked about these things in the interview, give three points with details for each question.
- Most companies value potential and soft skills more than professional skills, when selecting employees from graduates. Be sure to show interviewers confidence and excellent communication skills. That’s one reason why I got more offers than other candidates.
- Beyond that, if you have a clear thought about which position you want to take, related internships would be valuable. If you do not have one, it might be wise to go back to China at the end of the second semester and apply for one.
Plus, there are different rules between the UK and China.
“Chinese people value relationships more than people in the western world. Do not be shy to use your family resources if you have them.”
Did you always plan to move back to China for work after completing your master’s?
I looked for job opportunities in both the UK and China at first. In my opinion, it was safer to give myself more choices during the pandemic period. And I did obtain an offer in EY London as a management consultant.
The reason I chose to work in Shanghai was to spend more time with my parents. They are over sixty and they don’t speak English. It would be difficult if I brought them to London.
I strongly recommend future students find opportunities in both countries if they do not have a specific intention to stay in the UK or China. As a result of the current global economic environment, the job market has become more competitive and demanding. The more you try, the larger the chance you can find a job suitable for yourself.
How do the skills and knowledge you learned on your master’s help you in your role?
The knowledge and research methodology I learnt in Bristol enriched my skillset; made it easier for me to deal with examinations and interviews. They are still helpful to me now when I’m conducting my daily work. I’d like to express my gratitude to all my teachers.
That does not mean I use knowledge I learnt in MSc Economics, Finance and Management all the time. In practical work, it is critical to keep studying, which means knowledge you obtain in university will only be a part of all the skills you need to perform your duties.
It is the soft skills instead that matter and are used every day – like thinking frameworks, team spirit, communication skills etc. University of Bristol provided us with plenty of chances to practice those things, such as in seminars and group work.
Do you think studying abroad at Bristol is helpful for getting a job in China?
Apart from professional knowledge and skills, there are two more advantages for University of Bristol students looking for a job in China. Those are our capabilities of working in bilingual environments, and unique experiences abroad:
- All the multinational companies and lots of local big firms operating business overseas prefer to recruit returned students, as we have a better command of English.
- Experience of blending in in environments with diversified cultural backgrounds and independently overcoming difficulties gives us broadened horizons and mature minds. Lots of people who have not been abroad do not have these. Be brave to share some of these stories with interviewers – it can make you more competitive.
Forming a global perspective and methodology greatly helps you find significant positions in corporations that involve international business.
Why did you choose to study a master’s degree in Bristol?
The Economics, Finance and Management programme was exactly the one I was looking for. It provided further diverse class options, which I could pick from freely to enrich my knowledge.
Besides, when I searched information about Bristol on social media, I found lots of former students who spoke very highly of the University.
I also learned that Bristol was a great place for Chinese students to live in, with a good climate and plenty of Chinese restaurants and supermarkets.
“Another reason I chose University of Bristol was that it really cares about Chinese students.”
There were emails telling us what to do step-by-step before we came to the UK, along with useful advice collected by the international office to help us fit in.
Bristol also built social networks for Chinese students, such as an official blog and WeChat groups. There were groups of people living in the same province and studying the same programme, which allowed me to make some good friends even before I arrived in Bristol.
Would you recommend an economics master’s degree at Bristol to others from China?
Certainly. The University of Bristol is a fantastic place to study, where I obtained plenty of professional knowledge and my skillset was greatly enriched. I think one year in Bristol was of great help to my personal growth.
Compared to other universities in the UK, the best part about Bristol is that it really cares about Chinese students. It set up a Chinese office to help us prepare before going to the UK, which I benefited from a lot.
Apart from that, University of Bristol is the only one I know that conducts a graduation ceremony for Chinese students in China! Since the student visa is only one-year and will expire before universities grant degrees, this move is truly helpful. It gave my entire student experience a wonderful ending.
Besides, Bristol runs its Chinese alumni network well. You can find lots of resources to support your career success.
Did you find Bristol a good environment to study and live in?
For Chinese students, I believe studying in the UK is a perfect opportunity to broaden your horizons. Spending all your student life in China is also a good choice, but you lose the best chance to think globally. If you can spend your undergraduate or postgraduate time in the UK, you are able to see things from different perspectives.
Bristol is a city of inclusiveness where different cultures exist and combine. No matter where people come from, all reasonable needs and habits are respected.
There is no problem in satisfying the needs of all aspects of life in Bristol. You can find clothing stores with different styles, restaurants from different countries, convenient transportation, and a variety of art forms.
Bristol is not as big as London but, in my opinion, it’s a better place to live and study. You can buy things at more reasonable prices, and there are less distractions. I have lots of friends who feel very satisfied studying at University of Bristol.
Can you share any final thoughts about your time in Bristol and career since?
My one-year experience at University of Bristol made a great contribution to my career development. After graduation, I joined PwC China successfully, which was the best accounting firm in the world.
“The learning experience at Bristol is highly valued by local corporations and multinational companies in China. Lots of my classmates found great positions in various industries.”
I’d like to offer a suggestion to future students – please cherish your journey in Bristol. Set a clear target and stick to it. You will have unforgettable memories, and it will be a treasure for your entire life.
Learn more:
- Discover postgraduate programmes in economics.
- Find out more about support for International Students, from application advice to scholarship opportunities.
- Explore careers and employability support at Bristol.