TOP 10 TIPS

A PRACTICAL GUIDE
FOR STUDENTS
PURSUING A CAREER IN
US-CHINA RELATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COMMUNICATIONS
POLICY

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STUDY ABROAD
APPENDIX

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9-10
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CAREER
Plan Ahead
Network
Build Skills

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NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK

Create your own business card. Schedule as many informational meetings as
possible; ask everyone you meet with to introduce you to 2-3 other professionals.
GET A MENTOR
Find someone who knows the feld and who is willing to guide you and make
introductions. For example, for a position in the Foreign Service, fnd a Diplomat-inResidence (DIR) program. DIRs are senior diplomats deployed on campuses who
advise young Americans interested in Foreign Service and other government jobs.

MAINTAIN STRONG LANGUAGE SKILLS

Having strong Mandarin language skills is almost a requirement for China-focused
think tanks. Keep studying!

BUILD TRANSFERRABLE SKILLS

In addition to honing your language and China knowledge, dont forget to focus on
skills that you can take anywhere: writing, public speaking, networking, research
skills, and a great attitude!

EARN A GRADUATE DEGREE

Earning your master's degree can help you move vertically in your career path. It tells
employers that you are continuously investing in your career. But dont necessarily go
right after college; get a few years of work experience to maximize your master's
experience.

DO AS MANY INTERNSHIPS AS POSSIBLE

Intern to explore your interests and build experience that will help you land your
dream job. Intern in busy offces. Busy offces will provide you more learning
experiences and opportunities to demonstrate and enhance your skills.

PLAN AHEAD
Give yourself at least a six month head start to apply for Civil and Foreign Service
jobs. Take the exam early and often. There is no penalty for not passing and taking
the test before graduation helps you gain insight into whats on the test.

WRITE AND SUBMIT ERROR-FREE COVER LETTERS AND RESUMES

One error can make the difference between being considered for a position and
having your resume tossed in the recycling bin. Proofread 10 times, and then more.

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DONT WAIT FOR THE PERFECT JOB

Take a decent entry-level job, work extremely hard, and surround yourself with smart
people who notice your skills and dedication. Dont expect substantive work in your
early years. Those who work hardest at answering phones or stuffng envelopes
WILL be the frst ones to be given more substantive work.
WORK FOR PEOPLE YOU LIKE AND RESPECT
An administrative entry-level job with a good boss and supportive team is more
meaningful than having a big job surrounded by jerks. The former will enable you
to grow into a more substantive job; the latter will leave you demoralized.

COMMUNICATIONS
Start a Blog
Get Published
Brand Yourself

SHOWCASE YOUR SKILLS ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

Highlight your strengths on social media. If you are bilingual, display it through posts
on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! You will stand out among others if you can
demonstrate your skills.

UNDERSTAND BASIC SOCIAL MEDIA FUNCTIONS

Consider character limitations on Twitter. A shorter handle means more space for
people to write when they tweet at you. Track how often you get mentioned, retweeted, etc.

ESTABLISH YOURSELF THROUGH BLOGGING

Blogging can give you an opportunity to build your portfolio, become an expert on
your favorite China topic, learn new skills, and establish your brand. Additionally, it
can showcase your analytical and writing skills.

BE PROFESSIONAL AND INSIGHTFUL

People value authenticity. You get lost in a crowd if youre never offering up original
thoughts. Critically think about what YOU think!

BUILD YOUR PERSONAL BRAND

Use the same handle and photo everywhere. Follow and engage people who do what
you want to do. Your brand should refect who you are, what you care about, and
where you want to go.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Follow scholars, reporters, news agencies, government agencies, politicians and
leaders on social media. Use favorites and re-tweets to catalogue the data and articles
you gather for future reference.

TAILOR YOUR PITCH

When trying to get published, tailor your pitch to ft the unique tone and style of
each publication you send it to. This takes work, but its worth it.

SAY GOODBYE TO GENERIC SUBMISSIONS

In order to have an article considered for publication, submit your article to an actual
person, rather than using the generic submissions email address.

MAKE THEM PAY ATTENTION

When trying to get noticed in the publishing world, in addition to attaching your
submission, copy and paste the full text of your article into the body of the email
below your name and contact information.

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DEVELOP YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE

Update your linked in profle to refect your desired professional path. Follow
professional groups, organizations, and thought leaders and repost their content.
Unlike other social media platforms, LinkedIn is a unique place to brand your
professional identity.

POLICY ISSUES
Stay Informed
Become an Advocate
Get Involved

SPEND TIME IN CHINA

First-hand experiences can provide understanding you cannot gain through any other
means.These experiences 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. Read
annual reports and trade journals. Become an expert on those issues in which your
interests lay. But dont be arrogant about what you know.

SUPPORT YOUR PASSION WITH TECHNICAL SCIENCE CLASSES

If you are pursuing a career in environmentalism or public health, supporting your
views with a background in science will supplement and support your social science
classes and allow you to gain credibility.

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DEVELOP TECHNICAL SKILLS

Learn how to use programs like STATA or take econometrics and research methods
courses in college. Commit to a thesis that is heavy in quantitative research. This will
enable you to contribute to the most cutting edge developments in your feld of interest.
INTERN FOR A CHINESE OR INTERNATIONAL NGO
Internships provide hands-on experience dealing with real policy issues. This is an
excellent way to explore your interests and obtain relevant work experience at the same
time.
SIGN UP FOR MAILING LISTS AND VOLUNTEER FOR RESEARCH PROJECTS
Connect with organizations that are active on the issues you care about and get
involved. Explore the volunteer and research opportunities they offer.
JOIN THE AMERICAN MANDARIN SOCIETY
The American Mandarin Society is a forum for Americans who have studied,
researched, and lived in China. The weekly newsletters will keep your Mandarin AND
your China knowledge fresh. Click here to learn more.
ATTEND POLICY FOCUSED EVENTS
Research policy-focused events in your area. Go to trainings or seminars they offer. See
your favorite public health expert speak or watch a panel of experts discuss issues you
are passionate about. If events are not local, check itunes or company websites for live
streaming or event downloads.
ADVOCATE FOR ISSUES YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT
Seek ways to become involved in supporting causes for which you feel strongly. Become
a guest blogger on your favorite website. Start a school club or host an event to increase
awareness about an issue.
CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES
You will increase and develop your understanding of policy issues by having
conversations with your Chinese counterparts and learning about their perspectives.

STUDY ABROAD
Explore your Options
Go the Distance
Commit Yourself

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CONSIDER A SHORT TERM EXCURSION

If you are not sure you want to spend a full semester or year in China, consider going for
a summer program or even a few weeks. For example, WorldStrides is having its 2nd
Annual US-China Student Summit in May 2015. Click here to apply.
CONSIDER A GAP YEAR
Rather than thinking of a gap year as a year off, think of it as an opportunity to explore
your passion and enhance your college application or resume. Many U.S. Government
scholarship programs will cover a gap year, which enables students to go to China
without disrupting a regular school year.

GO THE DISTANCE
If you are in high school and are ready to spend an entire year abroad living with a host
family, consider the School Year Abroad (SYA) China program. Click here to learn more.

PLAN AHEAD
If you need to receive credit for your classes in China, arrange credit-transfer agreements
well in advance of your study abroad experience.

TRAVEL
There is so much more to China than just Beijing and Shanghai. Explore other parts of
China! Many study abroad programs include opportunities to travel in their programs.

TAKE A LANGUAGE PLEDGE

Even if your program does not require it! The less English you speak, the faster your
Mandarin will improve. Hang out with fewer expats and more locals. You will learn
Chinese faster and have a more authentic and meaningful China experience.

SIGN UP FOR UNIQUE CLASSES WITH THE BEST PROFESSORS

You only study abroad once (or MANY times if you're a Sinophile!). Take advantage of it
by registering for classes you may only get access to in China (i.e. Daoism, Tai Chi,
Chinese Cinema, etc.). Additionally, choose your classes with the reputation of the
professor in mind, not on how easy the class is.

GO TO GRADUATE SCHOOL IN CHINA

There are many opportunities to further develop your China-related interests postcollege. 221 Chinese Universities directly recruit international students for graduate
school. The Schwarzman Scholars program is also enrolling its inaugural class of 2016.

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RESEARCH U.S. GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS

Here are a few to consider: Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program,
Boren Scholarship, Fulbright U.S. Student Program, The Language Flagship, National
Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y), The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign
Affairs Fellowship, and The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program. Click here
to learn more.
APPLY FOR CHINESE GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIPS
In Support of President Obamas 100,000 Strong Initiative, the Chinese Ministry of
Education is offering 30,000 scholarships for American students to study at Chinese
universities. Click here to explore your options.

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APPENDIX
This guide was inspired by the November 2014 100,000 Strong
Student Reunion, where 150 students from over 15 states assembled
in Washington, DC to participate in workshop sessions that
provided them with valuable knowledge and skills in the areas of
career development, communications, policy issues and study
abroad. We are deeply grateful to the 40+ participating organizations
for making this guide possible!

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
Albright Stonebridge Group
Alcoa
American Councils for
International Education
Americans Promoting Study
Abroad
Asia Society
The Brookings Institution
Caterpillar
Crazy Fresh Chinese
CSIS
The East-West Center
Education Office of the PRC
Foreign Policy Magazine
Institute of International
Education

NBA
The Podesta Group
Project Pengyou
School Year Abroad
Teach for China
Thurgood Marshall CollegeFund
UCLA Confucius Institute
University of Iowa
U.S. Congress
U.S. Department of State
The US-China Business Council
Woodrow Wilson Center
WorldStrides
Yale-China Association
100K Strong Student Ambassadors

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