Secret to a job at JP Morgan? Pass the airport test. Interview

Qingdao

Lydia's star shines brightly. I have been lucky enough to know her from the time she applied to her university until now. For those who want to learn how to create opportunities for a great education and a coveted job afterwards I think her words will inspire you.

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Questions

Can you tell us a little bit about your family and where you grew up in China?

I grew up in Qingdao, China. My father is a businessman and my mother is a government official. My parents are very open-minded. They respect my opinion and they are always supportive of my decisions.

Can you talk about your high school? How big was it, and how many students at that time were thinking of coming to the US?

I went to Qingdao No.2 Middle School, one of the best high schools in Shandong Province. There were 16 classes (around 40 students per class) in my year. My school is very different from most of the high schools in Mainland China. My school focuses more on the development of skills to help each student become a well-rounded person. For example, we got out of class everyday at around 3:30pm, so we had time to take optional classes (usually with very interesting topics) and get involved in student organizations. We have pottery classes, swimming classes etc., which is very rare in high schools in China. Because of these activities, we had the opportunity to explore our interests. During my years, there were around 100 students thinking of studying abroad. For the US in particular, there were around 40 students applying for American universities.

Qingdao Middle School

You made some significant efforts to get to know about schools in the US? Can you describe some of the things you did?

I applied by my own, so no agent helped me during my application process. I visited all the websites of the schools I applied for, trying to find as much information as I could. I also visited some college admission forums such as College Confidential and CUUS to learn more about each school. When I applied for my current university, I went to an online chat session for international students with admission officers. I was actually surprised that I was the only student there. The volunteers and admission officers were awesome. They answered my questions and clarified any confusion I had about the process.

That’s also how I knew you, Parke. I believe the online chat session did help me a lot during my application process. I knew my SAT score was not as competitive as it should have been to get in my highly selective university.

Kun's painting

 What gave you the idea to pain a portrait of your university’s most famous landmark as a part of your application? In addition you submitted some materials on things you’d read and done in high school that are very impressive. Could you talk a bit about them too?

Three reasons I guess. 1) My current university was my dream school when I applied. I knew my SAT score was not competitive so I was thinking it might be helpful to submit a portrait of the school as it demonstrated my interest and also my talent too. 2) I wanted to take that opportunity to thank you, Parke. I knew as the Dean of international admission, you must receive tons of emails everyday. However, you replied to every of my emails and answered all my questions. I really appreciate what you have done. 3) I love drawing and that’s what I do in my spare time, so I actually enjoyed painting that portrait.

Why did you want to come to the US?

I like the education system in the US. I am very lucky that my uncle and his family are living in the States, so I had the opportunity to learn more about the culture/education system here. I have many interests and I believe US universities have more flexibility and would be able to help me fully explore my interests.

Another reason, to be honest, is that it was very hard for me to get into the top universities in China. I was good at studying, but not good enough to go to my dream schools like Beida and Tsinghua. I knew my chance was not high as it is harder for students living outside Shanghai and Beijing to get accepted to the top universities there.

When you arrived to the your university were you scared? What was it like during the first semester? Did you get along with your hall mates? Did you feel welcomed? Did you think people had outdated ideas about China or Chinese students? Do you think you changed people’s perceptions and if so in what way?

I was a little bit scared when I first arrived in, but I was very excited at the same time. My first semester was full of excitement. I got along really well with my hall mates. The RA (resident assistant, the upper level student who lives with and mentors new students) in my hall was awesome and I had a great roommate. I know some people didn’t have the best experience but I was very lucky.

I don’t think people had outdated ideas about China. Many of my American friends actually went to China before.

Lydia and friends

What do you see as the biggest differences in learning styles and in education between the US and China? Was it hard to adjust?  Did you go see your professors and did you find mentors?

Classes here are more focused on overall performance. For example, there are quizzes, homework, class participation, mid terms, finals and etc. However, in China, midterms and finals are everything.

You have been very successful as a student. What has been the key to your success?

I have made extra efforts to step out of my comfort zone. I am not a natural leader. I was not good at public speaking/presentations either. However I knew those skills were important and I was willing to practice more knowing that it was going to be scary and embarrassing at the beginning.

One of my favorite quotes is “life is either a daring adventure or nothing”, and I am a huge believer that I can do everything if I try hard enough (well, except for romantic relationship). Therefore, to be honest, I get frustrated easily. However, I recover pretty quickly and I always make sure I learn something from the experiences.

Lydia and friends

What have been your favorite classes? Are there classes you would advise any student interested in getting a great job to take? 

There are many interesting classes at my University. One of my favorite classes in the Commerce School is Commerce Law. I have always been always interested in Law so I found the topic particularly interesting. Besides classes in the Commerce School, some philosophy topics, social psychology, intro drawing and many classes in the liberal arts college are great as well. I am taking Acting in the spring (finally!). I heard it is a really good and helpful class and many people actually recommended it to me before.

To be honest, I don’t think there is one class that everyone should take nor there is one class that can help student in getting a great job because everyone is different. If you are interested in business in general, I would definitely recommend Acting, Leadership, and Commerce Law.

Who do you hang out with most?

My best friends at my university are Chinese students who have similar backgrounds and experiences with me. However, I have several really good American friends and I hang out a lot with them as well.

Do you find group work a challenge or is it fun or both? Does group work develop leadership skills? If so, in what way?

I find group work fun but challenging. I made some great friends because of group work but I found it challenging because people have different schedules and working styles. I think group work develops leadership skills, communicating skills and time management skills.

What activities have you been involved with that developed you as a person and as potential employee?

Mainland Student Network: Associates – Mentor Program Chair - Internal Vice President.
Third Year Council: I was selected as the only international representative.
Smart Woman Securities, an investment student organization focuses on investment education for undergraduate women: probationary member – Senior Analyst – Chief Investment Officer - Chief Executive Officer

Mainland Student Network is the first student organization I was involved with and it definitely helped me lot in stepping out of my comfort zone.

I joined Third Year Council because I wanted to get more involved with the University wide student organizations. I was selected as the only international representative to help maintain communication with the entire Class. I was in the academic and career development committee and I had a lot of fun.

Smart Women Securities

For Smart Woman Securities:  I joined it because of my personal interests in the investment management area. It also helped me to develop leadership skills and communication skills.  


Did you do internships and if so what were they and how did you get them?

Yes. I interned with JPMorgan Investment Management in New York City. I didn’t apply through on campus recruiting because the group I interned with does not recruit at my university.  The Commerce School is very investment banking oriented but I was lucky enough to realize that my true interest is in investment management. Since most of the Investment Management firms do not recruit at my school, I did a lot of work contacting alumni and applying for externships. Commerce Career Services also helped me a lot throughout the process.

In the fall semester of my third year, I was invited to the JPMorgan Winning Women event; the Equities group offered me a final round interview after the event. That’s how I got the internship offer.

When you go home do friends and family say you have changed and if so in what way? Are they right?

My parents think I have become more confident and they are right. For example, I express my opinion more confidently.

You always seem to have a smile for everyone. Have you always been happy or do you put a lot of pressure on yourself too?

(Many people told me that as well!…lol)

I don't think I have always been happy but I don’t put a lot of pressure on myself. I like hanging out with people who like smiling and I know it makes me feel happy and welcomed. I think a smile also shows confidence, especially during interviews or presentations.

What do think you will miss most when you are no longer a student?

I guess I will miss the campus most. The life style is pretty chill in Charlottesville, which is very different from New York City.

Can you describe your job search and how you went about it? How did you prepare for interviews?

As I mentioned before, I attended JPMorgan Winning Woman event and got the final round interviews. For interview preparation in particular, I did lots of homework trying to know more about the firm and the group I interviewed with. Because Investment Management is very market oriented, I also prepared some technical questions.

You now have a great job waiting for you. Can you describe what it is? Why do you think they hired you when so many want to a part of this firm?

I will be joining JPMorgan Investment Management for full time. I interned with the same group during the summer and I loved it. I really like the idea of helping others maintain wealth. I believe, firstly, my employer saw my passion in investing. Secondly, I believe my leadership skills and communication skills make me a good candidate for the position. Big employers like JPMorgan are looking for well-rounded people and I believe I fit in their criteria.

What would you like to be doing 10 years from now and where will you be?

I am not sure about 10 years but I do hope to stay in the States for at least 5 years to learn as much as I can. I want to become a portfolio manager in the long term or a client portfolio manager (more like a sales person).

What advice do you have for students who want to follow your path? Is there a template for success?

I don’t think there is a template for success because everyone is different. I think the beauty of the college education here is to find what your passion is and develop that interest.  I love investment and business so I enjoy most of my classes and the activities I am involved with.

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 We all know that people are not composed of a set of numbers, but sometimes numbers seem to matter more than personal characteristics. In the world of selective admission, numbers such as SAT scores often determine whether a student gets a chance to shine on a particular campus. Kun's standardized test numbers were quite good, but not quite as strong as some of those who had applied with her.

But what Kun has in her character represents what, ultimately, leads to success not just in the classroom, but in the workforce and in life. She was lucky to have supportive parents that urged her to develop her own interests. In addition, she was blessed to attend a school that emphasized learning beyond just numbers. Her involvement in activities, leadership positions, and in art and service demonstrated that she would add her personality and commitment to involve herself in the life of her school.


Kun also demonstrates what few students often do. She went beyond the typical applicant and reached out to people at the schools to which she applied. She also submitted materials that demonstrated an interest in the school too. The photo of her painting of Jefferson’s Rotunda still hangs in my home. It’s a wonderful work of art, painted from a continent away.  Kun asked penetrating questions and added lots of information in her contacts with me.  In business, they call this "networking". I’d call it grit and creativity.  Her voice, in her essays, emails and even in her artwork demonstrated qualities that are not measured in scores. I knew she’d be a star. It was also clear that she had not used an agent in China (An agent is similar to a private counselor in the US. Some are quite good, but many provide far too much‘help’ to students. Essays are often ghostwritten, as are recommendations. It is a big issue but not many schools in the US do enough to check whether the student has completed applications without undo help.) Communicating back and forth with Kun in real time demonstrated that she could communicate wonderfully and on her own.

For those who are not familiar with the competition for jobs at JP Morgan, let me just say it makes getting in an Ivy look easy. Kun did not get the job through the traditional paths. The people in her area of interest at Morgan did not do campus recruiting at her school. Instead, her involvement in outside activities and competitions secured her an interview and then an internship and then a job. Kun knew the importance of communication skills and forced herself to step out of her comfort zone to learn these skills. Many students, especially international students, do not take this risk. But firms end up hiring those creative risk takers who succeed and learn even if it means getting through some difficult times at the beginning.

For those not familiar with the airport test, let me just say that Kun would score at the very top if such things could be measured. The airport test: you and your colleague in your job leave for the airport to catch a flight to a business meeting. At the airport you find the flight has been delayed for 6 hours. It’s not enough time to go back to work in town, so what is to be done? Talk and strategize and have fun. The airport test, although not 'real', still measures whether a person is not only smart but also a wonderful person to send time with. Kun’s enthusiasm for life and work make her a joy to be around. Her energy exceeds most humans and so does her positive attitude. Businesses call these qualities 'soft skills' and they look for these when hiring people at the top firms in the world. Kun knew, early in life, life is more than scores. And her success has demonstrated that others could learn a lot from her.

I want to thank her for her words and for her exceptional presence at her university. She will be missed by many.