China Career Ready
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Get ready for your career in China or the UK
A multi-award-winning careers programme designed for Chinese students
Get ready for your career in China or the UK
At the University of Exeter, we understand the unique challenges that Chinese students face when applying for jobs in the UK and back home in China. This is why we provide a bespoke career development programme designed to give you tailored guidance with your career planning. We will help you understand the differences in recruitment in China and the UK, and gain the skills needed to succeed in both recruitment environments.
Careers and Employability Workshops
Get tailored guidance from an experienced and highly qualified Careers Consultant to help you plan your career and apply for roles in China or the UK. Build the skills needed to succeed in both job markets.
Search for China Career Ready workshops on Handshake
Online Career Development Course
Prepare for the graduate job market in China and the UK at your own pace through a dedicated online course designed by our experienced Careers Consultant.
Access China Career Ready Online Course
Employer and Alumni Events
Connect with companies hiring overseas returnees and gain insights from alumni in China and the UK. Discover job opportunities and build your network.
Search for China Career Ready events on Handshake
China Career Ready has not only provided me with practical career skills but also given me the clarity, confidence, and emotional resilience to face challenges head-on. The team at Exeter, with their empathy and commitment, has been a true guide for me. I’m deeply grateful for the support from Simon and everyone else involved in this programme. You have truly made a lasting impact on my career and personal growth.
As a Chinese master’s student, I can speak to the challenges many of us face in planning our careers. Due to the compressed, one-year timeline of a master’s program, most of us don’t have the time to fully explore career options. It takes the guidance of exceptional individuals to find our way, and for me, that’s where the careers team at the University of Exeter made all the difference.
What makes the China Career Ready program stand out is not just its content, but the genuine care and empathy shown by Simon and the team. The program wasn’t just about career advice, it was about being there for us, supporting us through the ups and downs of career planning, and giving us the tools to succeed.
The employability sessions, especially those on understanding the jobs market in China and the UK, and finding graduate opportunities, were eye-opening. The information was crucial in helping me adjust my job search strategy.
Another pivotal moment was when I attended the session on “CVs in China and the UK.” My CV was initially very generic and I hadn’t realised how different the expectations were in each country. After applying the tips from the session, I was able to tailor my CVs and align with what UK and Chinese recruiters look for. This change led to a noticeable improvement in the number of responses I received.
What I found most impactful was the emotional support and mental guidance I received from the team. One conversation with Simon stands out to me as a turning point in my journey. At one point, I felt completely lost and frustrated. Simon guided and encouraged me to step back and reassess my situation—to stay open to opportunities outside the UK, like positions in Shenzhen, China. This guidance was transformative, I realised that staying open-minded and adjusting my expectations could lead to new opportunities.
Xin Zhao
MSc International Business and Strategy
Learn about China Career Ready
Employability and Careers Consultant, Simon Allington, outlines the China Career Ready programme, combining bespoke workshops, online resources, WeChat support, and direct employer engagement.
Employer Engagement in China
The University of Exeter Business School is one of only a handful of UK institutions to have an Employer Engagement Officer, a Mandarin speaker who works directly with Chinese employers and recruiters to ensure our students benefit from an enhanced level of support when looking for graduate opportunities.
Meet the team
Simon Allington
Employability and Careers Consultant
Simon is an experienced and qualified Employability and Careers Consultant, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and Registered Career Development Professional.
With a deep understanding of the graduate labour markets of China and the UK, he leads the China Career Ready programme, delivering bespoke careers and employability workshops throughout the year, alongside an online course, to help Chinese students develop the knowledge and skills required to succeed in both contexts.
Pauline Zhang
Global Employer Engagement Officer
Pauline is an experienced education professional, providing support and educational advice to international students for the last 14 years. As a mandarin speaker with a deep cultural understanding of both Asia and the UK, she’s uniquely positioned to connect students with employers in East Asia and in the UK. Skilled in business development, communication and relationship building, she’s looking forward to helping Exeter’s students launch their careers.
Throughout the year, Pauline organises employer events and careers fairs with Chinese employers hiring overseas returnees and shares relevant opportunities through a dedicated WeChat channel.
Contact us
