2017 Orientation Sessions for Undergraduate, Taught Master's Students in Chinese Studies Graduation Reception
The Centre welcomed this year's incoming undergraduate and Master's students in two orientation sessions on the 1st and 2nd of September 2017. Students had an opportunity to learn more about the Centre and interact with their peers and instructors. In addition to valuable advice from the teachers, students were able to draw useful counsel from MA in Chinese Studies alumni on how to best approach this exciting new chapter in their academic and personal lives.

In addition, on the occasion of their graduation, students from last year's MA in Chinese Studies programme were invited to a reception held by the Centre on the 16th of November, where they enjoyed the chance to catch up with old classmates and instructors, and make the acquaintance of current MA students.

Academic Career Workshop/ Information Session on CCS Postgraduate Studies
In a well-attended session on October 6 that drew more than 30 aspiring postgraduate students, CCS faculty members offered an overview of the main features of the Centre's postgraduate research programme.  Prof. Jan Kiely, the Centre's Associate Director, walked the students through the application process and relevant requirements for landing one of the highly competitive places in this "small, boutique" programme. Along with Prof. Ling Minhua and Prof. Kristof Van Den Troost, Prof. Kiely discussed topics including common difficulties encountered during the course of studies and the challenges of the academic job market. Current PhD students were also in attendance to speak about their personal experiences at the Centre and to receive the audience's many questions.

Fall Term CCS Job Talks
On two separate occasions this fall, Centre for China Studies undergraduate and MA students were invited to take part in events meant to help them in their overall career planning and post-graduation job search.

This year's iteration of the annual Job Search Seminar took place on October 7, organized by the Centre for China Studies Alumni Association and hosted by the Centre. The event speakers were Mrs. Nancy Chan Lam, formerly of Jardine Matheson & Co. Ltd. and a current student in the Centre's MA in Chinese Studies programme, and Ms. Tao Jing and Mr. Billy Ng, recruiters for Hoceans and TalentPool, respectively. The three speakers talked about their career paths while offering tips on job hunting strategies.

On November 4, the Centre hosted the Fall term's second CCS job talk, featuring alumni currently working in different sectors as well an experienced senior executive. Five Centre alumni were happy to share their individual job hunting stories and their working experiences after graduation: Mr. Earl Christianson Ng (BA 2015, Consultant at Nomura Research Institute HK Ltd.), Ms. Annabelle Ku (MA 2011, Account Executive at Sutton), Ms. He Mengyi (MA 2017, News Editor at Phoenix TV), Ms. Peggy Ip Hoi Yee (MA 2017, Editor, Video Production, at YogaEasy China), and Mr. Carl So (MA 2017, Graduate Trainee at China Mobile Hong Kong Co. Ltd.)

The main guest speaker, Mr. Gordon Lam, Executive Director at Hangzhou Chen & Lam Supply Chain Management Ltd., talked comprehensively about the qualities senior executives are looking for in a job candidate and what to expect during a competitive selection process in the business sector. After a lively Q & A session, students and alumni mingled and chatted while helping themselves to pizza and drinks.