Siqi Jia
Published: 5 October 2026
MA Economics and Politics, 2022
Name: Siqi Jia
"My name is Siqi, and I'm originally from China. I came to Glasgow in 2018 to study my undergraduate degree in Economics and Politics. My cousin had studied in Glasgow before me, and she was the one who recommended it to everyone in our family. Through her, I learned about the city's rich history and the warmth of Scottish hospitality, which convinced me to choose Glasgow for my undergraduate studies. I still remember my first day on campus - I was completely amazed by the buildings and the atmosphere of the place. Over my four years there, I loved walking through the Botanic Gardens and Kelvingrove Park on my way to lectures and seminars, and heading into the city centre for movies and nights out with friends."
Why did you choose the Adam Smith Business School?
I knew I wanted to study Economics at university, and ASBS stood out for its connection to Adam Smith himself, as well as its well-structured courses. The first and second years gave me a strong foundation, while the third and fourth years offered the flexibility to specialise in what interested me most. I also loved that the joint degree structure let me study Politics alongside Economics and ultimately choose Economics as the focus of my dissertation.
What did you enjoy the most about your programme?
Beyond the flexibility I mentioned, what I enjoyed most was the chance to meet people through the wide range of student clubs and societies. I got involved with the Glasgow Economics Forum, Glasgow University Business Club, TEDx, and the Peer Wellbeing Support community, among others. These experiences not only deepened my interest in my subject area but also helped me build some really great friendships along the way.
How has your degree helped you in your career?
My degree gave me a framework for solving problems and learning new concepts at work through an economics lens, essentially breaking a task down, structuring it, and analysing it from both macro and micro perspectives. The foundational modules in finance and business also helped prepare me for job interviews, while the relevant coursework and extracurricular involvement through clubs and societies allowed me to showcase my interest and passion for the sector I was recruiting into. Longer term, being a Glasgow alumna has also helped me build strong connections since moving to London. There's something special about hearing a Scottish accent at work and being able to proudly say I lived in Scotland and studied at Glasgow always brings people closer.
What have you been up to since graduating from the Business School?
After graduating from Glasgow, I moved to London to start my career on the Valuations team at Deloitte. Three years in, I decided to invest in upskilling myself further and I went to London Business School to pursue a post-experience finance degree. Since then, I've been building working experience in Private Equity at Carlyle and Cinven.
What is your top piece of advice for current students - our future alumni?
Be curious, and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone, whether that means signing up for a new course, joining events at student clubs, networking with new people, putting yourself forward to help organise events, or taking on a part-time job or internship. Every small step you take and every new thing you try will pay off in the end, and together they'll become part of an unforgettable university experience when you look back on it.
First published: 5 October 2026