20 May 2025
Recently, the Work Placement, Employability and Career Development (WEC) team at International Business School Suzhou (IBSS), in collaboration with X-Global, successfully organized a career workshop exclusively for international students. The event attracted active participation from students representing diverse countries, including Indonesia, South Korea, UK, Australia, Russia, etc. The session featured corporate executive, X-Global staff representative, outstanding international alumni, and current international student representative. Together, they engaged in in-depth discussions on critical topics such as career development pathways, internship opportunities, and visa policies for international students in China.
The event was hosted by Yahong Cai, Work Placement Officer at IBSS. Distinguished guests included: Hank Tu, Talent Director at Value Retail China; Weng Lim Tay (IBSS International Business alumnus), Key Account Manager at GCL System Integration; Metta Hormen (current IBSS Marketing student), XJTLU Global Student Ambassador; and Duke Zhang, International Student Support Officer at X-Global. Drawing from their professional expertise and experiences, they provided invaluable career advice to international students.
Hank Tu, Talent Director at Value Retail China
Hank Tu introduced Value Retail China’s job opportunities for international students and the core competencies required. He explained that as a diversified company integrating retail, real estate, and hospitality, Value Retail seeks candidates with strong communication skills, analytical abilities, and adaptability. Additionally, he emphasized the company’s preference for global talent with cross-cultural mindset, storytelling and convincing skills, and the ability to deliver exceptional customer experiences. Fluency in multiple languages, he noted, is a significant advantage for international students.
Weng Lim Tay, Key Account Manager at GCL System Integration
Weng Lim Tay shared his journey of securing an internship and subsequent management trainee position at GCL System Integration. He stressed that actively participating in university career events and company visits, as well as networking directly with HR representatives, can greatly enhance hiring prospects. He also highlighted that in the era of AI, communication skills and emotional intelligence will remain irreplaceable competitive advantages. He advised students to start career planning early, clarify their goals, and systematically build their skills and resumes to lay a solid foundation for future success.
Metta Hormen, XJTLU Global Student Ambassador
Metta Hormen shared strategies for securing internships at companies like MDCE and Third Bridge. She advised international students to establish clear career objectives at an early stage, research target employers’ hiring needs, and develop effective self-marketing strategies. Reflecting on her own internship experiences, she underscored the importance of staying calm and reacting quickly in unexpected situations. As a Global Student Ambassador, she encouraged peers to leverage their unique strengths and interests to define their career paths while adopting a proactive and confident approach to professional growth.
Duke Zhang, International Student Support Officer at X-Global
Duke Zhang provided a comprehensive overview of internship opportunities and official resources for international students in China. He mentioned that students could explore job opportunities through the university’s career center, job fair, Learning Mall, email notifications, and platforms like Shixiseng and Boss Zhipin. He detailed the policies for internship and work visa applications, noting that the processes are often complex and time-consuming, requiring advance preparation. Duke also advised students to gain programme-specific internship experience to improve their chances of obtaining work permits in the future.
In closing, Hailu Hou, Career Counsellor at IBSS and event organizer, delivered concluding remarks: “IBSS WEC team will continue strengthening career support systems for international students, empowering them to achieve their professional aspirations in China and beyond.” The event fostered an engaging atmosphere, with students actively posing questions and interacting with the speakers. Participants widely agreed that the speakers’ insights provided clearer career perspectives and actionable guidance, significantly boosting their confidence in future career prospects.
Contributed by: Yanchi Zheng
Photography by: Yanchi Zheng
Translated and edited by: Hailu Hou
20 May 2025