Alumni Ambassador Xiang Ye: Learning will continue also after the graduation

When and what did you study at Aalto University School of Business?

I was a walrus in 2005, and in 2011 I graduated as a Master’s of Science in Economics and Business Administration. My major was marketing, and as my minors, I studied communications and completed an exchange abroad.

Which jobs have you held since your graduation?

Soon after graduation I started working at my current employer, Lindström Oy, in a trainee program. There I familiarized myself with the business operations in production and in different units of the company headquarters. After that, I have worked as a Key Account Manager and Product Manager.

In February 2017, I stayed on a maternity leave.

Being open-minded and continuously willing to learn new things have been the most important factors.

In what ways have the studies been useful for your career?

Alongside the degree certificate and obtaining the knowledge of different theories, it has been important to get experienced in organizing your work and working with different people in different kinds of teams. In the School of Business, I also learned to perform and write in an efficient and clear manner.

When thinking about succeeding in the working life, my major and grades did not matter that much, but being open-minded and continuously willing to learn new things have been the most important factors.

Share a funny memory from the time of your studies.

Usually before the mass lectures, all printers in the computer classrooms were jammed because everyone were there at the same time to print the lecture materials.

In what ways have the student activities been useful for your career?

The work experience and the student activities, for example in the student union, during the studies played a big role especially when I was applying to my first job after graduation – it is important to show that you are active in what you do.

How should the current students reflect their studies to the world?

Studying prepares you and gives you useful networks for the business world, but the learning will continue also after the graduation. You should know how to find information and how to apply it to your own situation.

The analyzing skills learned at the School of Business are needed, because in the situations of decision-making, there are rarely very clear and “bulletproof” solutions available.

What do the networks mean to you?

You can receive valuable advice from your networks concerning your work and self-development. Above all, you can find friends there.

I think it has always been rewarding to participate actively in communities suitable for you: during the studies, in the student union activities, and nowadays in the alumni community.

Get to know new people, go on an exchange, celebrate!

Many students, especially the ones who have only begun studying, are worried about how to find the first job in their field. Do you have any advice for them?

You can contact directly the people who are working in an interesting company, as well as following the official recruiting channels. Keep your LinkedIn-profile updated.

To the freshmen I would like to say that even if your first job is not in your ”own” field, don’t worry – all kind of experience is good for you and creates a basis for the future.

You act as an Alumni Ambassador at the School of Business. What does being an alumna mean to you?

It is fun to share my own experiences to the current students, even though just a little while ago I was in the same situation, thinking about my career choices and where they would lead me.

Is there something else you would like to say?

During your studies you are granted a permission to enjoy life! Get to know new people, go on an exchange, celebrate – there are not that many opportunities available later on.

Further information:

At the moment Xiang Ye is working as a Change Consultant at CCEA. (2020)

Get to know Xiang Ye’s career path more closely on LinkedIn!

Read more about the School of Business alumni cooperation and about the other Alumni Ambassadors who, like Xiang Ye, are involved in developing the School’s alumni activities:
www.aalto.fi/school-of-business/school-of-business-alumni-ambassadors