Education

Life after Delft: Struggling to find a job

Yishi Zhao, 27, from Beijing, China, is a 2003 MSc graduate in electric engineering. He is currently working for a Chinese company in Africa.

“After graduating from TU Delft last year, I didn’t expect it to be too tough to find a job in China. Actually, before I came to Holland, the job market in China was very promising, especially in my major, electrical engineering. But, at that time, I thought it was too early to be a working man, and besides, I like studying and the student life, so I decided to come Holland to study and have an experience abroad.

I returned to Beijing from Holland last September, and while relaxing, I sent my CV to a lot of companies in Beijing, such as IBM and Sumsung. There was no response! It was like a stone disappearing into the sea forever. Disappointedly, I went to Shanghai to try my luck. There were two reasons why I chose Shanghai: firstly, most graduates from abroad start a new life in Beijing or Shanghai, where a lot of international companies have their branches, so there are more opportunities than in other cities; secondly, I wanted to be independent of my parents. If I stayed in Beijing, my parents would arrange everything very well for me, as usual. Then my independent ability would be quite poor, which is the lesson I learned from my life in Holland. Coming to Holland was the first time in my life that I lived independently, by myself. How difficult it was at the start! I even didn’t know how to arrange my money and food.

On my first day in Shanghai, I was told that there was a big finding-a-job market currently being held in the city. Since I wasn’t in the mood to enjoy this modern city, I went to that job market directly. How crowded it was! I was depressed when lingering at different reception tables and being refused one by one. Still, I braced myself to move on. A faint heart has never won a fair lady! Fortunately, my last CV was sent to my current manager, for whom I am working now. I was told that I had ten days to prepare for a second interview. After 3 days, I was also excited by the news of interview offers from IBM and Sumsung in Beijing. Immediately, I took the train back home. After five days of busyness in Beijing, I hurriedly returned to Shanghai by overnight train for my scheduled second interview. During that whole night, I couldn’t sleep with all the thoughts of the coming interview swirling around in my mind. This interview lasted for about two hours. I was told that I would hear the result in the coming two weeks. I was exhausted. On the way to my hotel, I felt hardship mixed with happiness.

It is a torture of waiting in suspense. During that time, I kept myself busy by attending more job markets and sending my CV around online. Meanwhile, I recorded the whole experience in an article, entitled ‘Shanghai, a true experience in finding a job’, and posted it on a BBS to share with whoever wants to find a job. The result of this was fantastic! My article was republished on the most popular website in China, sina. One day, I got to a phone call from my Chinese friend in Delft, who told me that many other Chinese in TU Delft had read my article. They think it would be pretty useful for them after their graduation. I didn’t expect it to be so popular.

No pain, no gain. Finally, I got the job in Shanghai after a third interview. Now I’m on a business trip in Africa. I’m enjoying working and traveling in Angola, Zambia, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Djibouti. I’m fascinated by Africa, especially its wild animals. This is my first job and I love it. I may go back to school again someday, maybe back to Delft. I did love my life there. Now, during my spare time, I’m writing a novel, a love story, with a background in Delft.

Until now, most of the TU’s Chinese graduates have found a job. Only a few of them are still struggling to find a job. It’s worth mentioning that it’s more difficult to find a job for those who do not have previous working experience, than it is for those who have it.”

www2.tianyaclub.com/new/Publicforum/Content

“After graduating from TU Delft last year, I didn’t expect it to be too tough to find a job in China. Actually, before I came to Holland, the job market in China was very promising, especially in my major, electrical engineering. But, at that time, I thought it was too early to be a working man, and besides, I like studying and the student life, so I decided to come Holland to study and have an experience abroad.

I returned to Beijing from Holland last September, and while relaxing, I sent my CV to a lot of companies in Beijing, such as IBM and Sumsung. There was no response! It was like a stone disappearing into the sea forever. Disappointedly, I went to Shanghai to try my luck. There were two reasons why I chose Shanghai: firstly, most graduates from abroad start a new life in Beijing or Shanghai, where a lot of international companies have their branches, so there are more opportunities than in other cities; secondly, I wanted to be independent of my parents. If I stayed in Beijing, my parents would arrange everything very well for me, as usual. Then my independent ability would be quite poor, which is the lesson I learned from my life in Holland. Coming to Holland was the first time in my life that I lived independently, by myself. How difficult it was at the start! I even didn’t know how to arrange my money and food.

On my first day in Shanghai, I was told that there was a big finding-a-job market currently being held in the city. Since I wasn’t in the mood to enjoy this modern city, I went to that job market directly. How crowded it was! I was depressed when lingering at different reception tables and being refused one by one. Still, I braced myself to move on. A faint heart has never won a fair lady! Fortunately, my last CV was sent to my current manager, for whom I am working now. I was told that I had ten days to prepare for a second interview. After 3 days, I was also excited by the news of interview offers from IBM and Sumsung in Beijing. Immediately, I took the train back home. After five days of busyness in Beijing, I hurriedly returned to Shanghai by overnight train for my scheduled second interview. During that whole night, I couldn’t sleep with all the thoughts of the coming interview swirling around in my mind. This interview lasted for about two hours. I was told that I would hear the result in the coming two weeks. I was exhausted. On the way to my hotel, I felt hardship mixed with happiness.

It is a torture of waiting in suspense. During that time, I kept myself busy by attending more job markets and sending my CV around online. Meanwhile, I recorded the whole experience in an article, entitled ‘Shanghai, a true experience in finding a job’, and posted it on a BBS to share with whoever wants to find a job. The result of this was fantastic! My article was republished on the most popular website in China, sina. One day, I got to a phone call from my Chinese friend in Delft, who told me that many other Chinese in TU Delft had read my article. They think it would be pretty useful for them after their graduation. I didn’t expect it to be so popular.

No pain, no gain. Finally, I got the job in Shanghai after a third interview. Now I’m on a business trip in Africa. I’m enjoying working and traveling in Angola, Zambia, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Djibouti. I’m fascinated by Africa, especially its wild animals. This is my first job and I love it. I may go back to school again someday, maybe back to Delft. I did love my life there. Now, during my spare time, I’m writing a novel, a love story, with a background in Delft.

Until now, most of the TU’s Chinese graduates have found a job. Only a few of them are still struggling to find a job. It’s worth mentioning that it’s more difficult to find a job for those who do not have previous working experience, than it is for those who have it.”

www2.tianyaclub.com/new/Publicforum/Content

Editor Redactie

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