Why did you choose to study at Aberdeen? Firstly, I am a big fan of Scottish culture. I like everything about Scotland - whiskey, the kilt, Bagpipes et al!
When I chose between all the universities in Scotland I was impressed by the history of the University of Aberdeen, the modern library building, and the King's College building which housed part of the business school. So I made the easy decision that I would like to spend a few years there!
Why did you choose your particular course? I got my Bachelor degree in Business Administration in Wales, so I wanted to continue with my business studies. Also, I knew that I would like to build my career in Real Estate and the investment industry, which I am in now. I knew that getting an MBA degree would help me a lot in getting offers from bigger companies and networks with people from different countries with many backgrounds.
What did you most enjoy about your time at Aberdeen? Did you have any particularly memorable student experiences? I really enjoyed the time I spent in the library. Normally it was super packed for a few days before the exams, so I always needed to go in early to fight for a seat! I also loved the perfect location of the university. It's close to the sea, so I always walked down to the beach on a nice Sunday afternoon to chill.
If talking to a group of prospective students, what advice would you give them to help them make the most of their time at the University of Aberdeen? Live in the student accommodation, at least the first year, so that you can meet students from all over the world and experience the different cultures! There are all kinds of communities at the University, so go and find one and meet new friends. Also, it's very cold and windy in winter, so make sure you have a winter jacket!
Your Time After Aberdeen
What was the title of your first job after graduating from Aberdeen? International Client Relationship Analyst at AvePoint.
What did your first role involve? My role was to make our existing customers 100% satisfied with our products and services, while also developing new business and building strong relationships with our new clients.
What is your current job title? Associate Director at Juwai IQI in Shanghai.
What is your current role? I assist top developers in entering the Chinese market by establishing branding, providing Chinese marketing strategic advice and total solutions, and connecting with top real estate professionals.
Please briefly describe the journey from your first job after graduating to where you are now. I am passionate about real estate. Even when I was working in my first company I started to build my knowledge about the real estate market, attending all kinds of events in the industry to build my network. One year later I met the CEO of my current company and we had a good conversation. I immediately made the decision that I would like to start working with him and have been with the company until now.
Was your degree at Aberdeen essential for getting to where you are now? If so, in what way? Firstly, the degree helped me a lot in securing a job interview. Later, in my actual work I could easily apply what I learned at the University to the real workplace.
One Top Tip
Make a plan before you graduate. Don't wait until you are in the workplace! Try to attend all kinds of networking events at the University. Set up a career path and make a plan about how you will get there. Especially in the first year of your first job, continue learning and build both industry knowledge and skills.
