Figure: Zhang Yi, analyst of Zurich Securities Investment Trust Co. Ltd., a 2002 graduate of China Europe International Business School (CEIBS).

He has seized the chance to change successfully from an economic journalist to a security analyst given his ability cultivated by the learning of MBA program. "Such a change does not take place overnight, but it does take place."

Entering the Business School: the Journalist turns into an MBA

In 1998, as an English major graduate, Zhang Yi began his work at Xinhua News Agency, where he worked as journalist and editor for the following more than two years. After that, he worked at a public relationship company. The-nearly-four-year work experience has changed Zhang Yi from someone "introversive" to someone who are "both introversive and extroversive". However, out of the thought that his work at both Xinhua News Agency and the public relationship company seemed to be superficial, Zhang Yi hoped that he could be an expert in certain fields. "It was then too late for me to become an engineer. Considering that my previous work has enabled me to be well-informed, so the "Jack of all trades" MBA program becomes my first choice." Zhang Yi tells us his consideration at that time.

However, even though MBA education can really enable one to be "Jack of all trades", one will achieve nothing if he has not the determination to work hard to learn knowledge.

Life at the Business School: "Worthwhile" is the only Word

In severe winter, at midnight, a steaming hot chafing dish, a group of young men who are airing their opinions about economy and management at the table … This is not a scene presented in TV serials, but a true portrayal of the life of Zhang Yi and his classmates who have the same aspirations and sweeten the bitterness of pressures. "At that time, the midnight snack after my more-than-ten-hour strenuous work almost becomes my motivation for such hard work." Zhang Yi told us.

MBAs' demonstrated brilliance is at the cost of great academic pressure unknown to others. Despite of the pressure brought about by more than 20 courses and several hundred cases, Zhang Yi participated extensively in "social activities", such as being an intern at foundations and investment bank, working as consultant to Shanghai Stock Exchange, being an exchange student at London Business School, taking part in L'Oreal Global Business Simulation Competition, organizing activities of the Finance Club and others. These activities are, in effect, another way of learning. With these activities, everyone tried to find his own way with more realistic and positive attitudes among all kinds of temptations and pressures.

Luckily, the colorful extracurricular activities could make him feel relaxed. At CEIBS, the students can hardly have enough time to attend the many lectures, forums, wine parties, various sports competitions and the crazy parties after the exams. Zhang Yi remarks, "Maybe this is the lifestyle of modern internationalized professional managers."
The two-year MBA life, from the eve of his entry into CEIBS when he learned crazily advanced mathematics at Shanghai Jiao Tong University to graduation ceremony, is described by Zhang Yi as "material for a TV serial". No matter what his feeling is towards the campus life, his summary is only one word, that is, worthwhile, since his recharge at CEIBS has helped him to work in financial industry which he has dreamed of for a long time.

Experience at the Business School: see the Great Change in me

"Such a change does not take place overnight, but it does take place. As early as I was still a journalist, I had great interest in finance. However, writing articles concerning this filed is no different from 'scratching an itch through one's boot'. At CEIBS, I have not only learned about 7 or 8 courses in finance and investment and got acquainted with some elite in the financial circle, but also gone to the financial center of the old capitalist country for field study for three months. With these experiences, I eventually entered the investment bank industry, which could only be a dream to me before." Zhang Yi tells us.
This way, it seems that the "Jack of all trades" MBA has made a great difference to Zhang Yi. Upon graduation, he has changed from a financial and economic journalist into a security analyst at an investment bank. Such a change, in his words, can be described as "be reborn". "I feel completely different from what I was before, no matter it is in terms of attitudes towards work, perspectives and approaches to handle problems, or the circle of my acquaintances."

We firmly believe that opportunities only favor those who are well prepared, though Zhang Yi says that luck plays an important role in finding jobs. "No pains, no gains. What CEIBS has given us is not a gilded diploma, but our ability to pursue our dreams and create happiness.