5-Day Career Fairs and Alumni Career Network Equip Students for Future Professional Success

February 23, 2023

Columbia Global Centers | Beijing hosted two career fairs and one alumni career insight panel this February, in partnership with Columbia Engineering, Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS), Columbia Business School (CBS), and School of Professional Studies (SPS).

Through the years with expanding resources, the Beijing Center serves as a stable and robust regional connection for Columbia students and alumni to bridge academic and professional development. A range of career events organized by the Center helps students to explore and get relevant experience, develop practical skills to succeed in a fast-changing market, and build strong connections with reputable employers and alumni from different industries.

"We have received many requests from Columbia schools to collaborate in career education for students and recent graduates, and meanwhile, students are passionate about various opportunities to explore different career paths and prepare for their future jobs," said Helena Xiao, Associate Director of the Beijing Center. "As a regional hub with access and resources to local employers and alumni leaders, we are willing to prioritize student career education that focuses not only on job seeking but innovative programs to create more gains and make a bigger impact for each participant."

 

Spring 2023 Columbia Engineering Virtual China Career Fair

Starting on February 7, 200 students joined the Spring 2023 Columbia Engineering Virtual China Career Fair, a three-day event bringing together employers from 26 established companies and promising startups to provide full-time jobs and summer internship opportunities.

"It is wonderful to see that our joint efforts significantly influence students and alumni," said Dr. Jenny Mak, Senior Associate Dean of Engineering Student Affairs and Adjunct Professor of Professional Development and Leadership at Columbia Engineering, during the opening remarks.

Participating companies represent a wide range of industries, including clean energy, investment banking, biotechnology, electronics, consulting, software, and more.

"Now is the time to play the 'student card' where you can play the young and naive part to seek advice from knowledgeable professionals," said Shaolin Zhang, who graduated from Columbia Engineering last year and is currently the founder of Pine Living, a startup that provides innovative human resources solutions to big firms in China. "I benefited greatly from the career events provided by Columbia Engineering and the Beijing Global Center. By joining the career fair today, I hope to give back to the Columbia community and prepare students' transition from school to work."

 

Spring 2023 Finance and Quant Career Fair with Chinese Companies

On February 23, students and employer representatives joined the Spring 2023 Finance and Quant Career Fair. The event opened to students and alumni from seven programs of GSAS and CBS——MA in Mathematics of Finance, MA in Statistics, MS in Financial Economics, MS in Accounting and Fundamental Analysis, MS in Marketing Science, MA in Economics, and MA in Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences. The highlight of this event is to convene students across schools with similar backgrounds in financial mathematics, financial economics, capital investment, statistics, and relevant areas.

During the career fair, students made specific inquiries about the application process for dream jobs, asked HR managers to help them refine resumes, and also grasped a comprehensive picture of the benefits and development of popular industries in China.

Employers also conveyed positive messages about providing Columbia students with post-graduation placement opportunities. All of them were well prepared for the event, with presentations in the main room and Q&A in the breakout rooms. In addition, employers created WeChat Groups or shared other media channels where students could join and build sustainable relationships.

 

Meet Your China Network For SPS Students

On February 18, the Beijing Center and SPS co-hosted a virtual cornerstone network event exclusive to SPS's current students and alumni, who aim to build and expand professional networks in China.

The event attracted more than 110 students to join and connect with Columbia alumni who are based in China and have gained valuable career experiences in their industries, including multilateral development banks, venture capital, social media platform, technology, consulting, consumer electronics, etc.

Alumni speakers included Tiger Tian, GSAPP '18, Xilin Fan, TC '16, Cassie Sun, SEAS '14, Lingxiao Liao, SPS '20, Mingke Du, SPS '20, Xia Liu, SIPA '17, Ruichen Liu, TC '16, Xi Xiong, GSAS '15, Zihan Wang, SPS '22, Alex Zhang, SIPA '08, Xiaoye Liu, SIPA '18, and Quanjia Liu, SPS '21.

The event was divided into three breakout rooms where each room focused on one specific theme, including Technology, Finance, and Administration and Logistics. In each room,  three to five alumni shared with students their career path and development and answered questions about career choices, professional enhancement, and work and life balance. They provided current students with detailed introductions to their jobs and industry, offered fresh graduates practical suggestions for managing multiple tasks at work, and exchanged mid-professional alumni with perspectives on the challenges, trends, and philosophy of the industries.

The vivid discussions and active networking fully engaged students and alumni, who provided lots of positive feedback on this event and the platform that brought them to an extensive, diverse, and warm Columbia family to gain support, advice, and knowledge.

Logistics and Administration Breakout Room

"The alumni insight panel is a perfect opportunity for our students to build their professional network in China," said Diane M. Spizzirro, Director of Career Education and Development at SPS. "Our supportive alumni are so excited to meet and network with students, and students also take full advantage of this unique event to build mutually beneficial relationships."

In April, the Beijing Center will co-host another career insight panel and networking event with GSAS. The event will feature alumni mentors who work in the area of humanities and social sciences, such as arts and culture, to bring our students fresh perspectives and valuable suggestions.

Serving as a hub for the Columbia community abroad and at home, the Beijing Center will continue improving the career development program and connecting with schools, departments, and local partners, helping students and alumni explore diverse career options and build a meaningful network in China. For more information or any inquiries about collaboration opportunities, please get in touch with us via [email protected].