Case Study: Caiyong Zhuang, University of the West of Scotland
Personal Profile
Name: Caiyong Zhuang
Gender: Male
Nationality: Chinese
Your Job
Job title:
Overseas Marketing Coordinator
China Programme Assistant
Employer:
University of the West of Scotland (Previously University of Paisley)
Typical Day:
Each day starts at 8:45 am and usually finishes around 4:45 pm. The first “certainty” of each day is turning on the computer which produces a general one day plan based on yesterday notes, followed by checking my emails. During working hours, I answer enquiries regarding different concerns held by our International student cohort (e.g. Fresh Talent, Offer, Accommodation etc). Most of these queries come from the Chinese students at our university. I also liase and work closely with staff from other departments such as, the International Student Advisor, the Accommodation Office, and the Language Centre. In addition, I keep a regular contact with our partner universities on a daily basis. As well as these duties I am involved with the design and production of marketing material, in the form of posters and videos, for the EU and Non-EU market.
Typical Project:
Our department is undertaking several projects at the moment. I have responsibility for the development of two new and exciting projects which aim to enhance cross-cultural understanding between Scotland and China and aid in the integration of overseas students to their new life at university here in Scotland.
A Study Tour to China is currently being organised for those interested in learning about and experiencing language and culture of China. I have produced an Introduction video of Paisley (Chinese Version) which aims to help in the orientation of overseas students to their new environment. A range of other projects in which I am involved are ongoing. For example, I arrange excursions, lunches and dinners for visiting scholars from our partner universities. In terms of administrative projects, I am designing and producing excel spreadsheet files containing information on our Non-EU students for departmental analysis.
Training and Development
The university use a variety of tailored software and I have received training in the use of the following: . Aggresso, a financial management system;
Discoverer viewer, an online reports database; and Banner Students, a student’s record system; In addition to this, I have undergone full Health & Safety training and attended a session on UK NARIC, a comparative international research body.
Application Process for Current employer:
Initially the post was recommended to me by a friend – building a network of friends whilst studying at university meant people who knew me also had a strong impression of the type of work I wanted to do after graduating. So, I submitted the application materials (CV, Application Form, Covering letter, Personal Statement) I received an interview invitation letter by post along with more specific details on the requirements for the post applicant, 10 minutes presentation, panel interview etc. I started my preparation for the interview questions & presentation - an extra short video about me was also produced during this period - and practised with the Career Advisors & friends. At the same time, I visited Paisley campus and talked with the students there to build up a background of Paisley University.
I went for the interview in the afternoon and played the short video at the end of the interview. The following morning I received a phone call from the HR department to confirm the offer of the post. Formal acceptance letters arrived at home two days later. Shortly after, I was then sent the confirmation letter from the University of Paisley.
Keys to Success:
Personally, I feel gaining sufficient panel interview experience allowed me to face the interview with greater confidence having reflected on prior experience. This certainly made the interview less difficult. There is no substitute for spending time and effort in being well prepared. I was able to devote over a month to researching the post and preparing for interview. Consulting widely with a variety of people working in the universities, marketing lecturers in Hull University and Glasgow University; staff and friends at Glasgow University, the Director of Business School; the International Officer, Career advisors; my former manager at Nando’s restaurant. I found this network of different people gave me insightful opinions and very worthwhile ideas. This process enabled me to prepare the interview questions more thoroughly.
Balancing academic commitments at university and the efforts needed in adjusting to a new social and educational setting can provide a big challenge for international students. I believe I benefited the opportunity to develop excellent organizational & communicational skills gained from my involvement in organising social activities and the part-time job I had whilst studying. To this extent, I chose to actively pursue my interests in ways which have helped me with cross-cultural integration.
Your University Experience:
Qualifications: MSc International Marketing
Year of Graduation: 2006
Use of Careers Service: I used the service frequently during the latter stages of MSc study.
Work Experience Whilst at University:
I am a Standing Committee member of Chinese Students and Scholars Association UK (CSSAUK.org.uk); Vice President and Webmaster of Glasgow Chinese Students & Scholars Association (GCSSA.org.uk); I worked on the International Welcome Desk Receptionist of the University of Glasgow and was a host and cashier in Nando’s Restaurant during my period of study.
Your Job Seeking Strategy:
Concentrating on one specific field in each period, e.g. Education Sector, Banking Sector, Engineering is important for staying focussed. I applied for similar jobs in different institutions during a same period. This provided me with some valuable interview experience which I was able to draw on for my interview with the University of the West of Scotland.
I employed a strategy of making the most productive use of a wide variety of resources within the Glasgow University. In this way, the recruitment newspapers in the Career Service and the support from its staff helped me in the transition from student to career oriented employment. Developing a ‘friends’ network has proven beneficial to me as letting them know my “target” jobs widens the reach of myself as an overseas graduate job hunter. Of course, another tool, which I used extensively in my job seeking strategy, is online search engines.
Advice to Current International Students:
Get involved with the student body (e.g. International Society, National Societies, Sports Societies), the benefits of this approach are almost countless, for example, it could provide the opportunity to you to develop different skills (language, communication, organizational, time management etc.); it can help you to learn something else outside the course of study; it can also help you to make more friends from different parts of the world and possibly, better integration.
Investigate opportunities for taking on a voluntary job. Wider experience in the community could benefit your language ability; your cultural understanding etc. You may find a suitable voluntary job in organizations such as Citizen Advice Bureau (CAB), Student Unions and Associations and local Community Centres.