Internships in China 2022
To this day, I have no idea why all college students and recent grads are required to spend at least one summer interning in China. Although many young people are interested in China, individuals must decide whether to spend a lot of money on an abroad trip or to preserve their cash and discover something closer to home. You may get a huge leg up on the competition by doing an internship or even just a summer internship in China. Many people believe that even the average pay in China is increasing rapidly. Everywhere in China is worth seeing, not just Shanghai and Beijing. Here are five things to think about carefully before making a final choice.
A Look to China for the Future
The middle class in China is the biggest and fastest growing in the world. This is why every big corporation in the world is scrambling to get into the Chinese market. Understanding the Chinese people and culture via firsthand experience is beneficial in many ways, whether or not you plan to make China your permanent home and place of employment. The media often just report one side of a topic or provide the most extreme instances of positive and poor outcomes. Living in China and maybe even doing an internship there is the only way to gain a really objective view of the country.
Improve your chances with potential future employers.
Interning in China, or even just spending the summer there, is a great addition to any resume. I don't know how many of your classmates and other students are also interning abroad, but I can tell you that when it comes to the job market, those that have international experience are in the minority. What you pick up here will offer you perspective and give you something substantive to speak about while interviewing with future jobs. The fact that you have direct understanding of what it's like to live and work in Asian culture can only help your career prospects in any organization that has ties to Asia.
Construct an International Contact System
The ability to network effectively is one of the most undervalued abilities in the modern workplace. Although not everyone is born with it, it is definitely something that can be taught. Opportunity for development and expansion is often found not online but via personal contacts. When compared to locations like New York and Hong Kong, it might be argued that the number and quality of contacts people make in Shanghai and Beijing are higher. High-profile and prominent persons may be more easily met in this city than in the others. When compared to places like Hong Kong and Singapore, I think this is because the foreign populations here are more compact and close-knit, and the locals more friendlier than they are competitive. Building a strong professional network takes time, but it's never too early to get started. Whether it's in the immediate or far future, a link may be invaluable.
It's Possible You Won't Want to Leave
A three-month internship in China might change you in ways you can't even imagine right now. Numerous folks I've met in Asia initially planned to remain for just six to twelve months, but are now here for ten or twenty. They may have found greater job possibilities here than at home, discovered a more intriguing, adventurous, and convenient way of life, or just met the love of their life and decided to make their home here. When you return home, you'll have a deeper appreciation for both Chinese and American culture.
Right Now is the Crucial Moment
Now, while you're young and have the leisure, is the perfect time to go abroad. Your life will become so hectic after you begin your profession, get married, and raise a family, that you won't be able to take a few months off to travel and experience life somewhere else. There are certain drawbacks to working or interning overseas, but I think they are outweighed by the benefits. You may be in a tight spot financially right now, but if you can figure out a way to obtain the experience now, it will be invaluable to you in the long run, both personally and professionally. You'll be making an investment in your future professional success.