06 May 2025
Recently, the Work Placement, Employability and Career Development (WEC) team at International Business School Suzhou (IBSS), in collaboration with the BA International Business with a Language (IBL) programme, successfully organized the "Explore the Corporate World – International Business" career workshop. The event invited several industry experts and distinguished alumni to discuss topics such as the core competencies for international business professionals, career development paths, and cross-cultural management skills in the context of globalization.
The workshop was moderated by Ms. Hailu Hou, Career Counsellor at IBSS. Guest speakers included: Mr. Jingyong Xie, Sales Director at JCDecaux China (Shenzhen Airport); Mr. Jin Feng (IBSS alumnus), International Business Manager at FESCO Adecco (Suzhou); Dr. Jingwei Du (IBSS alumnus), Executive Director of Center for Belt and Road & Global Governance Studies at Peking University Sustainability Research Institute; Dr. Xinyi Zhou, Assistant Professor at IBSS and Programme Director (PD) for BA IBL. Drawing from their extensive experience, they shared valuable industry insights and career advice with students.
Mr. Jingyong Xie, Sales Director at JCDecaux China (Shenzhen Airport)
Mr. Jingyong Xie analyzed opportunities and challenges in international business, comparing career stages to military roles: "Soldiers" (entry-level) need strong communication and problem-solving skills; "Generals" (mid-level) require upward and downward management skills and negotiation skills; "Commanders" (executives) must master strategic thinking and resource acquisition abilities. He highlighted that talents with market insight and cross-cultural adaptability will gain a competitive advantage in the globalization of Chinese enterprises.
Mr. Jin Feng, International Business Manager at FESCO Adecco (Suzhou)
Mr. Jin Feng highlighted three critical success factors for career development in international business: First, cultivating exceptional communication competencies through progressive experience. Second, strategically developing professional networks by leveraging resources including external mentors, alumni communities, and family connections. Third, going global has become a crucial direction for business development, especially in fields like new energy, high-tech, and e-commerce.
Dr Jingwei Du, Executive Director of Center for Belt and Road & Global Governance Studies at Peking University Sustainability Research Institute
Dr Jingwei Du, drawing on his work experiences in countries along the “Belt and Road” and his research in cultural psychology, shared his insights and emphasized that cultural sensitivity, such as understanding local customs and approval processes, is vital for international business success. He advised students to fully utilize university resources during job searches, stay attuned to evolving talent demands in international organizations and multinational corporations, and proactively build relevant competencies.
Dr Xinyi Zhou, PD for BA International Business with a Language
Dr Xinyi Zhou drew upon her professional journey to underscore two fundamental pillars for career success: First, developing robust disciplinary expertise and quantitative competencies. Second, engaging in proactive career exploration through immersive internship experiences. She particularly emphasized the value of XJTLU's multicultural environment as a training ground for cultivating global professional readiness - suggesting students actively participate in cross-cultural team projects and consciously adopt professional mindsets to facilitate the academic-to-career transition.
In the closing remark, Ms. Hailu Hou concluded: “The Explore the Corporate World event series aim to bridge academia and industry. The WEC team will continue enhancing our three-pillar support system: professional skills development, industry exposure, and employability training.” Participating students reported significant gains from the expert panels. They not only systematically grasped the core competency requirements and development paths in the field of international business, but also obtained clear directional guidance and implementable advice for their future careers.
News drafted by: Ms. Yanchi Zheng
Photography by: Ms. Yidan Liu
Edited by: Ms. Hailu Hou
06 May 2025