Mandarin Consulting evaluates the future opportunities for Chinese speaking graduates in the UK and China
On Wednesday, 26th April 2017, Mandarin Consulting, in collaboration with the University of Manchester Careers Service, held an expert discussion panel entitled “Graduate Opportunities in the West and China: Facing the Challenges of the Next 10 Years”.
The discussion saw a panel of four of Mandarin Consulting’s coaching and senior executive team looking at the current situation for Chinese graduates entering the world of work and how it will change over the next 10 years.
The event was opened by Noeleen Hammond-Jones, International Career Consultant at the University of Manchester who thanked other partner universities in the region for promoting the event including Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Salford, University of Liverpool and Lancaster University.
Mark Patterson, Non-Executive Director and Chair for the evening, introduced the panel and set the scene for the discussion. The panel included Carrie Waley, CEO and Founder of Mandarin Consulting, Director David Peckham, Head Coach Brian Renwick and Coach Patrick Reid.
On evaluating the role of overseas Chinese students on the Chinese economy, Carrie highlighted that as the Chinese economy transforms from one of manufacturing to one of professional services, such as banking, accounting and legal services, the experience that Chinese students can gain from the UK, a country with a long record of delivering world-class professional services, will be invaluable to China’s economy overall and to the graduates returning to put their skills to good use.
Brian put into perspective the change in careers nowadays compared to in past years. He drew attention to the reality that as the life expectancy for those graduating now will be on average 100 years, people are having more than one career within that life time. Also, automation of many industries and continued globalisation around the world will increase the need for client facing roles within multi-cultural environments.
Patrick gave insight into new business and industry trends in China as being technology, finance and health or pharmaceuticals. Such industry areas will be in search of candidates with the four key competencies: communication skills, team work, problem solving and commercial awareness. He also stressed the importance of taking advantage of the fantastic journals, databases and other resources universities such as Manchester have to offer, to do thorough research into one’s career.
When asked about the effect of Brexit on the recruitment of Chinese graduates in the UK, David took the optimistic view that the results of the negotiations will be positive for Britain in terms of relations with other countries, Britain will always need very talented, bright young students from around the world to work in business and that, ultimately, Brexit could be very good news for foreign students in general.
After a very active Q&A session, the discussion panel came to a close with discussion carrying with speakers and attendees.
