On Wednesday, February 7th, 2017 our CBS speaker, Chuck Yang spoke to three of our participants on the ground in Beijing at C’est l’amour café. Chuck has worked for the Australian Embassy for the past 5 years and his current role at the Embassy is a Senior Business Development Director where he works in the Trade department.
Chuck’s journey is a great reminder that having too much focus on a specific career path limits opportunities. Chuck graduated as an English major with a specialization in translation, however, he felt he was too opinionated to be a translator and knew that his major would not correlate to a career. He started a small firm with a friend to help foreigners open up business in China, and during this experience he became close to an American that offered him a job in the United States. As Chuck was applying for his visa, he saw there were openings at the US Embassy and applied to work at the Embassy. After the long background check he was offered a job and began his career in the government sector. The Australian Embassy found out about him and was offered a position and has worked there and risen up at the Embassy in the past 5 years.
Chuck shared that for most of his career his only focus in life was on work, but when it did not make him happy he realized he needed to find areas outside of work to make him happy. He shared the importance of not getting stepped on in the work place and creating barriers to ensure you find happiness in other facets of your life.
During the talk, Chuck shared 2 points of advice he would like our participants to hear as they enter the work-world post college:
1. “Do not take anything too personally”
After you are done with your school career no one is holding your hand. In school, students expect to be helped by teachers, fellow students, and administration. When you go out in the real world, no one is “supposed” to help you. If you come across an unfriendly boss or reach out for help in the work world, no one is obligated to be nice so do not judge them. If you take it personally, you will never grow.
2. “Be who you are. Set a goal and work on it.”
Setting goals for your self is one of the most important processes towards going in any direction in your life. Goal setting can be difficult if you think too long term. Set actionable goals that you can accomplish in your every day life in the present. Life is about intention and effort, do not sit back and let things happen to you. In the process of goal setting, you are able find who you are. Finding yourself can be becoming aware of your strengths and weaknesses, personality, unique identity, values, etc.
Our three participants who attended the CBS from Australia and New Zealand enjoyed hearing from Chuck Yang. We hope that all reading this article will gain insight from Chuck’s advice and take it on board as you begin your careers. Good Luck – 加油！
