top 10 tips: a practical guide for students pursuing a career in us china relations

8/9/2019 Top 10 Tips: A Practical Guide for Students Pursuing a Career in US China Relations

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TOP 10 TIPS

A PRACTICAL GUIDEFOR STUDENTS

PURSUING A CAREER INUS-CHINA RELATIONS


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COMMUNICATIONS 5-6

POLICY 7-8

STUDY ABROAD 9-10

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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APPENDIX 11


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CAREER

Plan AheadNetworkBuld Skll!

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NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK

Createyour own business card. Schedule as many informational meetings aspossible; ask everyone you meet with to introduce you to 2-3 other professionals.

GET A MENTOR

Find someone who knows the eld and who is willing to guide you and makeintroductions. For e!ample" for a position in the Foreign Service" nd a #iplomat-in-$esidence %#&$' program. #&$s are senior diplomats deployed on campuses who

advise young (mericans interested in Foreign Service and other government )obs.

MAINTAIN STRONG LANGUAGE SKILLS

*aving strong +andarin language skills is almost a re,uirement for China-focusedthink tanks. eep studying

BUILD TRANSFERRABLE SKILLS

&n addition to honing your language and China knowledge" don/t forget to focus onskills that you can take anywhere0 writing" public speaking" networking" researchskills" and a great attitude

EARN A GRADUATE DEGREE

1arning your masters degree can help you move vertically in your career path. &t tellsemployers that you are continuously investing in your career. ut don/t necessarily goright after college; get a few years of work e!perience to ma!imi4e your masterse!perience.

DO AS MANY INTERNSHIPS AS POSSIBLE

&ntern to e!plore your interests and build e!perience that will help you land yourdream )ob. &ntern in busy ofces. usy ofces will provide you more learninge!periences and opportunities to demonstrate and enhance your skills.

PLAN AHEAD

6ive yourself at least a si! month head start to apply for Civil and Foreign Service)obs. 7ake the e!am early and often. 7here is no penalty for not passing and takingthe test before graduation helps you gain insight into what/s on the test.

WRITE AND SUBMIT ERROR-FREE COVER LETTERS AND RESUMES

8ne error can make the difference between being considered for a position andhaving your resume tossed in the recycling bin. 9roofread : times" and then more.

DONT WAIT FOR THE PERFECT JOB

7ake a decent entry-level )ob" work e!tremely hard" and surround yourself with smartpeople who notice your skills and dedication. #on/t e!pect substantive work in yourearly years. 7hose who work hardest at answering phones or stufng envelopes

big? )ob surrounded by )erks. 7he former will enable youto grow into a more substantive )ob; the latter will leave you demorali4ed.

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COMMUNICATIONS

Start a Blo"Get Pu#l!hedBrand $our!el%

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SHOWCASE YOUR SKILLS ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

*ighlight your strengths on social media. &f you are bilingual" display it through postson Facebook" 7witter" and &nstagram @ou will stand out among others if you candemonstrate your skills.

UNDERSTAND BASIC SOCIAL MEDIA FUNCTIONS

Consider character limitations on 7witter. ( shorter handle means more space for

people to write when they tweet at you. 7rack how often you get mentioned" re-tweeted" etc.

ESTABLISH YOURSELF THROUGH BLOGGING

logging can give you an opportunity to build your portfolio" become an e!pert onyour favorite China topic" learn new skills" and establish your brand. (dditionally" itcan showcase your analytical and writing skills.

BE PROFESSIONAL AND INSIGHTFUL

9eople value authenticity. @ou get lost in a crowd if you/re never offering up original

thoughts. Critically think about what @8A think

BUILD YOUR PERSONAL BRAND

Ase the same handle and photo everywhere. Follow and engage people who do whatyou want to do. @our brand should reBect who you are" what you care about" andwhere you want to go.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Follow scholars" reporters" news agencies" government agencies" politicians andleaders on social media. Ase favorites and re-tweets to catalogue the data and articles

you gather for future reference.

TAILOR YOUR PITCH

submissions? email address.

MAKE THEM PAY ATTENTION


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POLICY ISSUES

Sta& In%or'edBe(o'e an Ad)o(ateGet In)ol)ed

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SPEND TIME IN CHINA

First-hand e!periences can provide understanding you cannot gain through any othermeans. 7hese e!periences will help develop your policy views.

READ THE NEWS AND SIGN UP FOR WEIBO

Follow both international and Chinese coverage of policy issues of interest. $eadannual reports and trade )ournals. ecome an e!pert on those issues in which your

interests lay. ut don/t be arrogant about what you know.

SUPPORT YOUR PASSION WITH TECHNICAL SCIENCE CLASSES

&f you are pursuing a career in environmentalism or public health" supporting yourviews with a background in science will supplement and support your social scienceclasses and allow you to gain credibility.

DEVELOP TECHNICAL SKILLS

=earn how to use programs like S7(7( or take econometrics and research methodscourses in college. Commit to a thesis that is heavy in ,uantitative research. 7his willenable you to contribute to the most cutting edge developments in your eld of interest.

INTERN FOR A CHINESE OR INTERNATIONAL NGO

&nternships provide hands-on e!perience dealing with real policy issues. 7his is ane!cellent way to e!plore your interests and obtain relevant work e!perience at the sametime.

SIGN UP FOR MAILING LISTS AND VOLUNTEER FOR RESEARCH PROJECTS

Connect with organi4ations that are active on the issues you care about and getinvolved. 1!plore the volunteer and research opportunities they offer.

JOIN THE AMERICAN MANDARIN SOCIETY

7he (merican +andarin Society is a forum for (mericans who have studied"researched" and lived in China. 7he weekly newsletters will keep your +andarin (#

your China knowledge fresh. Click hereto learn more.

ATTEND POLICY FOCUSED EVENTS

$esearch policy-focused events in your area. 6o to trainings or seminars they offer. Seeyour favorite public health e!pert speak or watch a panel of e!perts discuss issues youare passionate about. &f events are not local" check itunes or company websites for livestreaming or event downloads.

ADVOCATE FOR ISSUES YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUTSeek ways to become involved in supporting causes for which you feel strongly. ecomea guest blogger on your favorite website. Start a school club or host an event to increaseawareness about an issue.

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES

@ou will increase and develop your understanding of policy issues by havingconversations with your Chinese counterparts and learning about their perspectives.
http://www.mandarinsociety.us/http://www.mandarinsociety.us/


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STUDY ABROAD

E*+lore &our O+ton!Go the D!tan(eCo''t $our!el%

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CONSIDER A SHORT TERM EXCURSION

&f you are not sure you want to spend a full semester or year in China" consider going fora summer program or even a few weeks. For e!ample"


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PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS

NBAThe Pode!ta Grou+Pro,e(t Pen"&ouS(hool $ear A#roadTea(h %or ChnaThur"ood ar!hall Colle"eFundUCLA Con%u(u! In!ttute

Un)er!t& o% IowaU.S. Con"re!!U.S. De+art'ent o% StateThe US-Chna Bu!ne!! Coun(l/oodrow /l!on Center/orldStrde!$ale-Chna A!!o(aton0112 Stron" Student A'#a!!ador!

Th! "ude wa! n!+red #& the No)e'#er 3104 0115111 Stron"Student Reunon5 where 061 !tudent! %ro' o)er 06 !tate! a!!e'#ledn /a!hn"ton5 DC to +art(+ate n work!ho+ !e!!on! that+ro)ded the' wth )alua#le knowled"e and !kll! n the area! o%(areer de)elo+'ent5 (o''un(aton!5 +ol(& !!ue! and !tud&a#road. /e are dee+l& "rate%ul to the 417 +art(+atn" or"an8aton!%or 'akn" th! "ude +o!!#le9

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Al#r"ht Stone#rd"e Grou+Al(oaA'er(an Coun(l! %orInternatonal Edu(atonA'er(an! Pro'otn" Stud&A#roadA!a So(et&

The Brookn"! In!ttutonCater+llarCra8& Fre!h Chne!eCSISThe Ea!t-/e!t CenterEdu(aton O%%(e o% the PRCFore"n Pol(& a"a8neIn!ttute o% InternatonalEdu(aton

APPENDIX

top 10 tips: a practical guide for students pursuing a career in us china relations

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