Internships in China

[Ahmed Maqbool]

I am a US graduate and am seeking to widen my career search as far as possible. Given the current state of affairs in the Western economy I am seeking to find a career in financial services in China.

I know this may sound bold and risky, but I am not just going to upsticks and leave. Nor am I going to apply for jobs by firing out my CV to companies in China.

I’ve decided to go there for three months on an internship program, gain an understanding of the culture, build networks and decide whether or not I can actually cut it in the future economic capital of the world.

There are opportunities available with multinational banks and with the internship program that I am signed up to there are also Chinese language programs available.

Uninspired by my job search in the US, I tried looking for work in the UK and discovered that internships are being offered more than graduate jobs and they are not paying! Instead of spending all that money going over to London, I’ve thought why not try and do something totally different and seek an internship where there are actually paying jobs being created?

I think an internship in China is the way forward. The key thing that excites me about China is the openness to new ideas which I have heard being related from previous interns, many of whom have actually returned to be more successful in their career searches back home.

I would be interested in hearing from any non Chinese citizens who have participated in internships in China and what they gained and learnt from the experience.

[Vincent]

I did a 4 month internship at Cushman & Wakefield Chengdu, real estate. I have never regret my decision at all for going to Chengdu, knowing absolutely nothing about the city beforehand. On the contrary, I got home after this adventure and 2 weeks later I decided to go back and continue my life over here because I couldn’t miss it.

On the other hand, if you don’t speak Chinese, don’t expect to be of any real value for almost any “Chinese” company based in Chengdu. If you’re lucky you could end up in some financial department of a company that’s run by a foreigner. But that’s probably not the internship you’re looking for.

Also, don’t expect to get paid. There are numerous Chinese graduates willing to do unpaid internships anywhere. You might get a daily compensation for travel and lunch at best (imo).

It definately looks good on your resume though.

Long story short – get you ass over here!

[Brendan]

Quote:

Long story short – get you ass over here!

There really isn’t much else to say, and you’ve obviously been doing your homework to end up at this forum!

Chengdu is right at the top of the list of interesting places to be right now, and into the future. Even if you were to take a non-paying internship, the experience you’re going to gain will be unmatched by anything back home.

I’ve come out here working for a Chinese firm on their property development side, and frustrations aside I’m 100% happy that I made the right choice being here.

Pack your bags!

[Vincent]

Quote:

I’ve come out here working for a Chinese firm on their property development side, and frustrations aside I’m 100% happy that I made the right choice being here.

Not to hijack this topic, but you made me wonder. How on earth do you delegate a team of Chinese workers without speaking their language? Can they speak Chinglish or something? Or do you usually just draw stuff on the whiteboard next to your giant red-X-marked-cigarette?

[Brendan]

Quote:

Not to hijack this topic, but you made me wonder. How on earth do you delegate a team of Chinese workers without speaking their language?

It’s a fair question, and something that any non-Chinese speaking earthling coming to Chengdu would ask themselves, so…

I basically delegate to the delegators in short. There is an English speaking assistant in my office whose English is fair, and beyond that I use QQ. I’ve also been in the habit of taking a series of photos every week or so, then highlighting things of concern in photoshop with notes attached. If I see something frightening or noteworthy inside of that week, I grab my camera again, take a shot, and distribute it to everyone I think should see it. Communication really hasn’t been a great issue all the time I’ve made an effort to work around it.

[Liting]

Chengdu is really a great city!

[Sascha]

for more information on internships in Chengdu, I would direct you to our friends at

Knowledge Must

They can help you find an internship, study program or a Gong Fu Master.

Coming up later next week: the story of Hugo, the French Gong Fu student who arrived in Chengdu to get his sticky hands on!

[stole543]

Hi

just moved to Chengdu and was looking for internship opportunity. Please advice if u know any program. thank’s

[Paul Yeandle]

Dear Ahmed / Stole543

I hope I can offer some assistance and advice.

Chengdu is a great place to find an internship – I started with a 3 month internship with the British Chamber of Commerce before taking over as Branch Manager for InternChina – a company who specialise in finding professional internships and graduate opportunities in second tier cities across China.

InternChina currently works with over 60 companies in Chengdu and has expanded quickly to place over 100 interns in a little over a year. We have 8 years experience in China and, are one of only 2 companies in China who can offer British Council funded internships showing the high levels of professionalism and support we guarantee.

I would like to refer you to our company video here and you will also find a lot of references from interns who have had a great time in Chengdu here

Please feel free to contact me directly – [email protected] and I will be happy to offer any advice on finding internships in Chengdu.

Good luck with your search!

[Charlie]

One place you should check out is Intern China.

[Author]

Posts