Embarking on a transformative journey, Celine NG and Lois Melody, two remarkable international students, embarked on a four-year adventure at the School of Management and Economics (SME), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen). As they walked through the gate of the school, little did they know the profound impact their time here would have on their lives.

During their time at CUHK-Shenzhen, Celine and Lois traversed a path filled with unforgettable memories, cultural discoveries, and academic achievements. Along this journey, they encountered individuals from diverse backgrounds, forging lifelong friendships and broadening their horizons in the process. As they bid farewell to their alma mater, equipped with invaluable knowledge and skills, both Celine and Lois have now transitioned into their dream careers in their respective home countries.

01｜Offer: Citi｜

Securities Services Analyst

Celine Nadya Gunawan

吴芝琳

Nationality: Indonesia

Year of Entry: 2019

Major: Applied Economics

Celine's choice of Economics stemmed from the belief that it would provide her with extensive opportunities for interdisciplinary learning and practical experience during her university life, ultimately broadening her job prospects. Over the four years at CUHK-Shenzhen, she faced and conquered challenges, culminating in her successful entry into Citibank in Indonesia – a fitting reward for her arduous journey.

In the face of learning obstacles posed by Calculus and Linear Algebra, Celine contemplated giving up and questioned her suitability for studying Economics. However, support from the faculty helped her overcome each academic hurdle. The enthusiasm and friendliness of professors and teaching assistants not only enhanced her expertise but also set a robust model of professional ethics for her. This support proved valuable during internships and work experiences. "It's almost unbelievable," Celine exclaimed in response to the job offered by Citibank. "Of course, it requires relentless effort on my part," she added. "I studied diligently. The pressure was immense, but the rewards were greater."

"Studying Economics changed my thinking and decision-making pattern," remarked Celine. "Life at CUHK-Shenzhen shaped me." The culturally diverse university, with students from various backgrounds, broadened Celine's perspectives. Joining numerous public speaking and competition opportunities where she was hailed as one of the top contenders particularly organized by SME Career Development Center (SME-CDC) revealed her talents in self-presentation and interpersonal skills, boosting her confidence and competitiveness in job applications.

After facing various challenges, gaining valuable experiences, and achieving notable milestones during her undergraduate years, she is inspired to give back to her juniors. This led her to become a peer mentor in the SME Career Buddy Program, which was initiated by SME- CDC. Her primary motivation is to share the knowledge she has gained and empower her peers.

Based on her background, Celine had a preference for working overseas, and she made extensive preparations for this. She prepared an outstanding resume that showcased her relevant experience and excellent academic performance. To confidently tackle interviews, she researched the latest trends in her desired position and the mission and vision of the companies, establishing a logical framework in her mind and conducting mock interview practice. All her internship experiences obtained in her home country like Telkomsel, Vooya and Citi, where she has been given a return offer, opened the doors for more self-exploration and honed her career competitiveness. When it came to choosing a job, Celine carefully considered what she wanted to learn from her future career and what kind of professional path she wanted to establish. She then targeted opportunities on job portals like LinkedIn and Glassdoor. For her, selecting the right company was paramount because a good company nurtures employee growth and helps them acquire professional knowledge and skills. As she put it, "Having good skills ensures you have a good career."

Currently, Celine works at Citibank Indonesia, where she primarily supports various team functions including product development and coverage. Transitioning from the role of a student to that of an employee is indeed a challenging journey, filled with difficulties and adjustments, which requires a more proactive approach to acquiring the necessary skills and networks. One of the main challenges she has encountered revolves around communication since her job requires clear and effective communication among multiple stakeholders. "I am still in the process of overcoming them myself, but a good rule of thumb is that over-communicating is better than not communicating enough," she said.

For now, Celine sees a big opportunity in the securities services industry. She hopes to delve deeper into the securities service area in the future, aiming for promotions in the meantime. While acknowledging her areas for improvement, she no longer doubts her abilities. "We don't have to know everything, but we can think about where we need to improve first," she emphasized.

02｜Offer: PwC｜

Associate - Assurance

Lois Melody 陈月琴

Nationality: Indonesia

Year of Entry: 2018

Major: Accountancy

As a university with an open atmosphere and a multicultural environment, CUHK-Shenzhen made campus life truly unforgettable. Lois, hailing from Indonesia, has formed many friendships here. "Living in China is an entirely new experience, and I am immensely grateful for this opportunity; otherwise, I wouldn't have met so many wonderful friends," says Lois. Her prior experiences traveling in China sparked the possibility of pursuing education here. However, the initial challenges of life in China, especially inconveniences posed by language barriers, differed significantly from the joyful experiences of traveling. Thankfully, the supportive friends she made in CUHK-Shenzhen helped her overcome.

Of course, learning was Lois's primary purpose in crossing continents. Like all freshmen yet to choose a major, Lois explored courses in economics, finance, accounting, management, etc. She eventually discovered the most suitable major for herself—Accounting. In the eyes of the public, accounting is the universal language of the business world, decoding the secrets of every business operation. For Lois, Accounting helps her understand how companies operate, generate and spend money. When she realized the joy, potential opportunities, and bright future that Accounting could bring, Lois didn't hesitate to immerse herself in this highly specialized field wholeheartedly.

Lois not only absorbs knowledge in the classroom but also continuously hones her skills outside of it. At CUHK-Shenzhen, she participated in workshops organized by the SME-CDC, enhancing her interview and resume-writing abilities. Before starting any job, Lois had accumulated a wealth of experience through extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and qualifications. She also put into practice her knowledge and skills by interning at ShineWing Indonesia in the Assurance and Audit department and co-founded her own business, Accellence. Her diligence and hard work during her time in school resulted in a resume filled with notable experiences. Utilizing the resume examples provided on the Career Development Center website, she created a clear and impressive resume that stood out among numerous applicants.

With initial preparation ready, it involves identifying the right job search channels to find the desired position. Lois mentioned browsing the job links provided by the CDC. From there, she discovered that visiting the websites of companies she was interested in was a good way to find accounting-related job vacancies. Additionally, building a professional network within the industry by leveraging connections and information from industry insiders played a crucial role. She ultimately secured her first internship through this approach, gaining valuable experience relevant to her future career development.

Some said that choosing the right industry is more important than choosing the right company in terms of career development, but Lois doesn't agree. She believes that entering a reputable company that supports employee growth is equally important on a personal level. "A positive corporate culture will contribute to my personal and professional development," she said.

As someone majoring in accounting, she explored various options, such as working in industry-specific companies or joining an accounting firm. After considering input from friends and mentors and reflecting on her own preferences, skills, and background, she realized that working in the auditing assurance services industry under a public accounting firm could provide her with diverse experiences.

Upon graduation, Lois successfully secured a position that combines a promising industry outlook with support for employee development, which has increased her overall satisfaction with her career. Since joining PwC Indonesia, Lois believes that her current job is a great fit for her, and she plans to stay and continue learning and accumulating experience within the company in the foreseeable future. Navigating different managers and teams, every day at work brings her new experiences. Lois enjoys embracing new things, such as artificial intelligence. While some worry it may replace accounting jobs, Lois sees it as assisting human accountants. "This allows us to explore new possibilities in many aspects," she adds.

As Celine Ng and Lois Melody bid farewell to their alma mater, they carry with them indelible memories, cherished friendships, and a wealth of knowledge acquired during their time at SME, CUHK-Shenzhen. The transformative journey they embarked on, marked by cultural exchange, personal growth, and academic achievements, has shaped them into individuals ready to make a meaningful impact in their respective careers. As they step into their dream roles in their home countries, Celine and Lois are poised to shine brightly, a testament to the remarkable educational experience at CUHK-Shenzhen, while recognizing and portraying the significance of understanding their interests, developing their skills and expanding their professional network which is essential as they continue to develop and manage their career endeavors.