How To Get A Job That Helps Change The World : Interview

Xi'an Bell Tower 

Jaime’s different. Maybe rare would be a better word. Her hard work, focus and intelligence led her to opportunities that most people would love to have. How would you like to be able to invest in social entrepreneurs worldwide?

*****************************************************************************

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

 I was born in Xi’an, the historic capital of China. Both of my parents are doctors.  I moved to Singapore when I was about 10.

You attended Tanjong Katong Girls' School in Singapore. Can you tell us how you got there and what it was like? The school likes to say it is known as the "Premier School of the East". Does it deserve that reputation?

Public schools in Singapore are normally the best schools. To get into public secondary schools (i.e. middle schools), every elementary school student needs to take the PSLE national exam. Which secondary school you get to attend is based on how well you scored in the PSLE exam.

TKGS was definitely a great school. I tend to find students from single sex schools more confident than those from co-ed. Perhaps the absence of guys made us less conscious of perceptions and voiced our opinions more openly and freely.  I had excellent teachers from TKGS that I still remember and is grateful towards. The teaching quality and educational opportunity provided were absolutely deserving of the Premier school title.

From there you went on to VJC. Can you describe your JC for those who are unfamiliar with JCs in general?  Your school and a few others are well known for having high academic expectations and lots of pressure but also for instilling a desire for learning. Would you say this is accurate? What were the teachers like?

 JC stands for Junior College which is somewhat the equivalent of the high school. However, in Singapore, only the top 20-30% students from secondary schools attend JCs to prepare for university entrance exams. The rest will go directly from secondary schools to vocational training institutes such as Polytechnics or ITEs.

Jaime and friends at VJC

Yes, academic expectations in the top JCs are very high. School exams are often 10 times harder than the actual national Cambridge “A” Level exams. However, this doesn’t mean that school life only consists of classes and exams. We had very rigorous extra-curriculum activities ranging from sports to sciences to arts. It was in JC that I found my interest in business and commerce. I was elected as the President of the school’s Business Club and then went on to found the national Youth Entrepreneurship Symposium.

When did you decide to study in the US? Did you give thought to the UK or other places?

Despite how successful Singapore was as a country, it was too small a place to see the world. I wanted to pursue my interest in business and no doubt US is the best place to be with the best business schools in the world.

How did you decide which universities to apply for and why did you end up choosing the one you did? Was the process very stressful?

 I was very efficient in choosing my schools. I searched online for the top 5 undergraduate business schools in the US and applied to all of them. I picked my university because of its ranking and the fact that there is a two- year foundational building before the two-year  commerce program.

Was the adjustment to your university smooth? What were some things that surprised you?

 The adjustments were made a lot easier as we had to live in dorms the first year where there were senior students and RAs (resident assistants)-- to guide you. And for international students, from China, we were assigned mentors through the Mainland Student Network and that was very helpful.

I had been a city girl my whole life before coming to the States, so what really surprised me was how peaceful and quiet the campus was. There was no building taller than five stories. But I have to say my university is a truly beautiful place.

Who did you tend to hang out with your first year?  Did you feel more comfortable with international students than those from the US? Did you ever feel people had stereotypes because of where you came from or where you went to school? 

My first semester, I hung out with students from different backgrounds, internationals, US and US born Asians. My second semester, I rushed for a co-ed fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi. The rush process was very challenging. During this period, I had very little time as I was also trying to get into the commerce school in my first year, so I mainly hung out with my pledge class and roommates.

AKPsi, Jaime lower left

I think people do stereotype type you. For example, people thought I was good in math just because I am Asian.

Did the kind of people you hung out with change at all by the time you were 4^th year?

 The kinds of people didn’t really change, they just shrank. First year was really an exploratory period to find groups that I was interested in. Afterwards, I realized I had limited time and energy and so settled with a few groups that I was the most comfortable with.

Can you talk a bit about your academic journey through the university? Did you participate in class discussion much? Did you go see your professors? Did you find a mentor --either a student or someone else?

 I kind of rushed through my university life which I don’t necessarily encourage people to do. I was one the very few students that were admitted into the School of Commerce in my first year of college and I completed my university education in 3 years. The education I received was life changing. In a small class of 40 students where a significant part of your grade is based on how well you participate in class discussions, it really pushed me to think, ask questions, and answer questions.

The commerce school has an open door policy which means that as long as the professor’s office door is open, you can go and chat with them. I took advantage of that. It is one of the best ways to enrich your learning experience when you have those one-on-one conversations with your professors.

Jaime at graduation

What was your major and how did you decide on it? Can you list a couple of favorite classes or profs and say why they were great?

 My majors were finance and management and I was also a global commerce scholar. My decision was based on interests and the commerce school has an excellent Student Services Office to answer any question you might have about majors.

All the professor were great! My favorite class was Global Finance taught by Professor Peter Maillet. He has extremely rich industry experience which he brings and shares in class. I enjoyed going to his class because he is so passionate when teaching it. It taught me the origin of money and how it works and connects on a global scale. 

How was the system of learning and teaching different from what you experienced in Singapore?

The Singapore education taught my skills but the education I received in at my university challenged my mind.

Do you describe yourself as a third culture kid (TCK) given your experience in Singapore before coming to the US? Do you feel different than the typical Chinese student coming straight to the US from a school in China?

 I think I do consider myself as a TCK. I feel a little different but not too different from Chinese students directly from China. Many of them are my very good friends. Like them I work hard, the difference might be I play a little harder. But because of my parents, I have Chinese values deeply ingrained in me and I am thankful for that because it shapes my identity.

Jaime and friends, Mainland Student Network dinner

To

What about activities? What did you do for fun and what sort of activities did you do that supplemented your education or involvement within the community?

 I love traveling. It is the best way to learn and relax. It is something that I will do for as long as I can.

You seem very confident and self-assured and comfortable with who you are? Were you always this way? 

 There are definitely failures and disappointments in life that rubbed me off some of my confidence. It was important to have strong faith in my abilities and surround myself with people who believed in me. That’s how I kept myself strong and confident.

Can you describe how you went about searching for jobs as you approached graduation? Did you do any internships and if so what were they?

 The job search process is very difficult for international students. I was over-confident in my second year and missed many opportunities. The key to how I found my current job was keeping my options open. Don’t confine your options to companies that recruit on campus. Actively submit your resume to company websites.

You now have what sounds like a very cool job. Can you describe what it is?  You seem to get to travel and to do work in China. Can you share some of what it you have done there?

I work for Ashoka, an organization that invests in social entrepreneurs worldwide. I am currently the Global Expansion Manager for China. What I do is network with relevant organizations in China to our develop entry strategies. 

What skills did you have that made your job go well? Are there skills you wish you had learned prior to starting the job?

Critical thinking and strategic analysis are very important for my role. I need to evaluate the core strengths of the organization relevant to China’s context and leverage that to grow our operations.

Do you have any short term plans or long term plans about your future?

 My short term plan is to successfully launch our programs in China. My long term plan might be to start something myself.

Are you optimistic about the direction that China is headed in?

 I am optimistic about China. China has the most important economic resource which is people. It is the core to both production and consumption. If educated and managed well, China will no doubt be an even more powerful global player. It needs more innovative people and clearer governance. I hope and I trust that the Chinese government knows it too and will take significant measures.

What advice do you have for parents about instilling a desire to learn and do well?

 The most important teaching in Taoism is Wu Wei, the Act of Non-Action. I think parents should think about this ancient philosophy. My parents never pressured or forced me into a school or a major. They said that they trusted and believed in me. That trust, not pressure, was what really motivated me to work hard and do well. They set very strong moral parameters for me but gave me the intellectual freedom to pursue my interests.

What advice do you have to students about ways they should think about approaching their education in the US?

 Step out of your comfort zone. Make new friends. Challenge your thinking and take as many intellectual risks as you responsibly can.

Jaime and friends

Jaime doesn’t fit the typical image (some would say stereotype) of a student from China. A third culture kid who has taken her education seriously but also knows (as her photos attest) how to have fun.

But fun and hard work can go together. In my many years in education it is exceedingly rare for any student to graduate from one of the top 5 undergraduate business programs in the US in just 3 years. But she did more than study and earn good grades. Her decision to join a coed fraternity underscores she knows learning teamwork and making connections happens as much or more outside of class as in. She also learned how to be an active participant in her classes too, asking questions, learning from other bright students as well as great professors. The development of all these skills are what helped her have what seems to me to one of the more satisfying jobs a person can have. She’s at the forefront of the way change happens in business and in communication around the world.

I am grateful she took the time to provide her insights for us. And it should come as no surprise, given the way she lives her life, that she provided these answers in near record time. She lives life at a fast pace, in part because she knows how the world works today. She will, I am confident, take her skills and use them to improve things in China and around the world.