13 Nov 2025
The International Business School Suzhou (IBSS) at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) recently hosted a dynamic session on the Internet and AI industries as part of its "Explore the Corporate World" career event series. Organised by the Work Placement, Employability and Career Development (WEC) team, the event provided students with valuable perspectives on industry trends, talent needs, and career readiness through a forward-looking yet practical dialogue.
Facilitated by Ms Hailu Hou, Career Counsellor at IBSS, the session brought together an esteemed panel of speakers: Mr Steve Yao, CMO at Beidou Digital Transformation (former VP of IBM Greater China); Ms Shuya Zong, Product Manager at Microsoft; and Mr Shirui Guo, a student representative from the Information Management and Information Systems (IMIS) programme at XJTLU, with extensive internship experience at Poizon and Rednote.
Drawing from his experience as former IBM Vice President and digital transformation expertise, Mr. Yao highlighted that leading firms now value comprehensive qualities—such as teamwork, resource integration, and collaborative execution—alongside academic credentials. He urged students to appreciate diverse perspectives, recognise others' strengths, and demonstrate critical thinking through thoughtful questioning. "Many professions have yet to be defined," he noted, encouraging students to pursue their interests bravely while improving soft skills to navigate diverse career landscapes.
As a student representative, Mr Guo shared insights from his internships at internet firms including Poizon and Rednote. He clearly outlined the organisational structure of internet companies, explaining functional boundaries and interdepartmental collaboration. Through real operational cases, he walked students through the project lifecycle—from planning to post-project review—and encouraged peers to gain hands-on experience to boost communication and execution skills.
Joining online, Ms Zong shared her path to becoming a Product Manager at Microsoft without a technical background. She broke down the core competencies of the role and inspired students to think outside the box and identify fundamental user needs. Emphasising a "CEO mindset," she urged students to analyse issues holistically and evaluate products through multiple dimensions, no matter the team's size. She also encouraged the proactive use of AI tools to turn ideas into practice—building a complete capability loop from conception to implementation.
The event resonated strongly with the participating students, with many students staying behind to further discuss career planning and skill development with the guests and moderator. In the closing remarks, Ms. Hailu Hou encouraged students to "set career goals early, gain practical experience through internships, and make full use of the university’s diverse career resources." This event not only deepened students’ understanding of the internet and AI sectors, but also reinforced IBSS’s commitment to student-centred career development. The WEC team will continue to deliver targeted industry events to empower students as they prepare for professional success.
Contributed by: Mingjie Huang
Photography by: Kexin Sun
Edited by: Hailu Hou
13 Nov 2025