Communications of the ACM
Western Graduates Head to China For Internships
Foreign graduates are flocking to China in an attempt to boost their resumes. Applications for internships there have more than tripled over the past couple of years, according to CRCC Asia, a London-based recruitment consultancy.
Credit: CFP Photo
In a crowded job market, having work experience in China on your resume can provide a competitive advantage. As a result, recent graduates in industries from engineering to finance in both Europe and the U.S. are making their way to China, hoping to land their first jobs faster and more easily than their competitors. Going to China calls for the ability to act outside of one's comfort zone and the willingness to relocate, which could be appealing to employers. Applications for internships in China have more than tripled over the past couple of years. With the Chinese economy booming and growth prospects cooling in the U.S. and Europe, China offers a unique opportunity to establish a long-term career.
China has come into focus for Western companies looking to grow. A lot of businesses realize that if they want to be part of the global economy, they need to be going into China. Experience there can give you a greater awareness of cultural differences, as well as business customs, that may be disorienting at first. Living in a city like Beijing and dealing with a totally foreign language is often challenging. Students say that two months' work experience in China can be more rewarding than other internships in more familiar environments, especially if you are given more responsibility, such as sales and promotion.
It isn't China experience per se that employers are looking for but evidence that potential employees are willing to challenge themselves. If Europe and the U.S. are going to maintain their place in global business, people need to be prepared to put on a back pack and head for less familiar places. It is evidence that people are willing to challenge themselves, not specifically China experience, that employers are looking for. They want to see a bit of ambition and entrepreneurship. That being said, China can be of particular relevance to employers looking for people with experience in emerging markets. Despite some barriers, the benefits run in both directions, and companies in China are profiting from the surge in interest from potential interns in the West.
From The Wall Street Journal
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