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Internships at the China-Britain Business Council

The Internship Experience

December 2017

The Internship at CBBC provides various opportunities for Interns to develop their current skill-set, acquire new skills, and gain a unique market insight into China-UK relations. Interns may have an opportunity to get involved in:

• Research across a wide variety of sectors • Proofreading and Editing • Translation and interpretation* • Participating in conference calls with UK clients • Article research and writing for CBBC’s FOCUS magazine • Attending and assisting with events • Business networking • Design of client materials

(*dependent on Chinese language capabilities)

In addition to the above activities, we welcome you to contribute your own ideas for projects to get involved in!

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Internship Activities

Intern Qualities

• CBBC recruits interns from a wide range of backgrounds. Whether you have recently graduated or are looking to make a career change we welcome your application.

• We have internship positions available in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. The duration of a typical internship is two to three months. Interns can work flexibly alongside Chinese language studies or other commitments.

The main qualities we are looking for in candidates

• Proven interest in China (preferably with some knowledge of Mandarin); • Passionate about UK-China relations and trade; • Excellent level of English (native or near-native level of English); • Excellent attention to detail, particularly in relation to written skills; • A team player; • Able to work independently; • Strong multitasker; • Willing to take feedback and invested in personal growth and development; • Graduate or current university student.

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The Internship Experience

Intern Profiles

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What was your background before starting CBBC? I live in Northern Ireland and I studied locally at Queen’s University Belfast. I graduated with a degree in English Literature in 2016 and I undertook a Masters in Marketing in 2017. Upon finishing my Masters, I was keen to explore different career possibilities and I applied for a scholarship with the British Council for a two month internship in China. I was fortunate enough to be offered the scholarship and, on the recommendation of the British Council, I was introduced to CBBC. I applied for an internship in CBBC with the knowledge that it would suit my skill set, utilising my English and marketing background, whilst also providing me with new insights into the Chinese business market and China-UK relations. What did you do during your internship? During my internship my tasks varied on a daily basis. The majority of my work was reviewing and editing documents produced by CBBC staff members, such as client proposals and sector reports. I was able to utilise my research skills, investigating various companies and industries from within the UK and China. I had the opportunity to be involved in projects within the Retail sector; joining international conference calls, participating in client meetings and conducting market research. Additionally, I was able to use my creative skills for example when producing presentations and writing an article for CBBC’s ‘FOCUS’ magazine on a topic of my choice, China’s publishing sector. What did you enjoy the most about your CBBC internship? The work at CBBC was extremely satisfying as projects were often produced by a team of staff from its Beijing, Shanghai, and London offices. As a result, the work you do as an Intern is important as it acts as a link in a larger chain that not only helps those around you, but brings the project one step closer to completion. Furthermore, the office environment provided a relaxed place to work, and I found the staff at CBBC to be extremely welcoming, taking me to lunch and answering any questions I had.

Victoria Coulter

Role: Editorial Intern

City: Beijing

Duration: October –

December 2017

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CBBC Beijing

Victoria Coulter (continued)

What did you learn from undertaking your internship at CBBC? Working at CBBC was an extremely worthwhile experience. Despite my new exposure to the business market in China, I left with a much wider knowledge of various sectors. Interning at CBBC gave me valuable insight into a company that operated globally and CBBC’s clients were impressive! However, what struck me most was the atmosphere of teamwork within the office which was provided a refreshing working environment. CBBC’s operations highlighted the importance and role of teamwork in business as its experienced and knowledgeable staff worked together to produce the best services for CBBC’s clients. What was the best part about living in Beijing? Living in Beijing was an eye opening experience as I grew up in Northern Ireland and I had never travelled outside of Europe before coming to intern at CBBC. Beijing was completely different to any city I had visited before and I found the Chinese culture, from traditions to cuisine, to be completely unique. I made the most of my time in Beijing by filling my weekends with tourist activities such as the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven. I also participated in slightly more unusual activities such as tobogganing down the Great Wall of China, joining a calligraphy class, walking on the rooftop of the Bird’s Nest Stadium, and visiting contemporary artists in their workshops in Songshuang.

Victoria took part in the internship programme as part of the British

Council’s Generation UK programme

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CBBC Beijing

Alexander Apps

Role: Editorial Intern

City: Beijing

Duration: June – July 2017

What was your background before starting your internship at CBBC? Before interning at CBBC, I had previously engaged in Mandarin language training across a variety of universities in China. Thereafter, I undertook a Masters degree at a university in Beijing. Not being one to whittle away the days, I decided to apply for CBBC’s summer internship placement and was subsequently placed in the Beijing office. What initially attracted you to CBBC? With a background in international business, my primary motivation for interning with CBBC was to develop a working understanding of how British organisations like CBBC can operate to facilitate trade promotion activities in China. Fortunately for me, ample opportunity was given to learn and engage in current environments across a variety of different industries and sectors within China. In addition, CBBC, with its vast reciprocal partnerships, opened up many opportunities to meet new acquaintances, connect, learn, and share ideas. What did you do during your internship? A typical day would start with a nice cup of tea and a warm welcome from my neighbouring colleagues. Often, I would be sent client forms to edit and review. This was an essential part of the internship as these documents would eventually be sent out to clients. It was of the utmost importance that the reviewing process was done meticulously to ensure any errors or incorrect information were removed. When I didn’t have to focus on editing, I was free to help the research team with their reports. This would often involve me looking over industry information and analysing the key information to include in a variety of different industry and sector reports. Lastly, I was also able to attend CBBC forums or events.

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CBBC Beijing

What did you learn from your time at CBBC? One of the main lessons I learnt from this experience was to be more self-confident. Often with previous internships I’ve had, I’d felt I was given the back-seat role. However, working for CBBC, allowed me to fully engage in all aspects of the job, be it from conducting research, team meetings or working with superiors. In all circumstances, I was able to convey my opinion, knowing that it mattered and would be taken seriously. This for me was an invaluable piece of experience, one that I will look to replicate going forward. What did you enjoy the most about Interning for CBBC? For a large part of my internship, I assisted in research and report writing for the research team. I thoroughly enjoyed this part as I was given the flexibility to decide my own research topics and pursue my own interests. Furthermore, I was trusted by my colleagues and superiors to work as an individual, allowing me to fully express my ideas and opinions. Consequently, this was a gratifying experience as I was able to make a real difference and contribute to team objectives. In addition to the work side of interning, the colleagues in my office certainly did make my experience memorable. All of them were extremely warm and welcoming and I never felt like ‘the intern’. I was always able to engage on a personal level and make some friends along the way. Do you have any tips for future interns? If you’re looking to dive into the heart of modern-day China, then Beijing is the place to come. It has an infinite number of things to see and do, ranging from engaging in cultural and historical activities, and world-class shopping, to great nightlife. There are many different pockets to explore so don’t waste any time jumping on the cheap and easy transportation system to start your adventures. For those who may not speak Mandarin, I would advise you to try and learn some basic expressions like ‘hello’, ‘thank you’ and ‘goodbye’. It will definitely be appreciated by locals!

Alexander Apps (continued)

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CBBC Beijing

Kiko Yap

Role: Editorial Intern

City: Shanghai

Duration: August -

September 2017

What was your background before starting CBBC? I had completed a degree in Law and a Legal Practice Course in the UK. Why did you want to undertake an internship with CBBC? I knew about CBBC from reading about the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Having heard so much about BRI, I thought it would be interesting to become part of the team that works on projects which support and promote this initiative. What did you do during your internship? I spent most of my time reviewing different documents such as Quotes, Proposals, Target Lists, and Final Reports. Our team usually received documents from project managers nearing completion, but we still had to make sure information was accurate and that the presentation was neat. I carried out research for project managers working in different industries, such as the retail, energy and infrastructure sectors. I ensured translations from Mandarin Chinese to English were precise and accurate. I gave suggestions on what else could be included in the reports in order to give a more thorough account of the Chinese and/or UK market to the client. I helped improve CBBC’s research templates and I had the opportunity to contribute an article for CBBC’s FOCUS magazine. What did you learn from undertaking your internship at CBBC? Two key lessons: the first was learning to be more meticulous at work and to review each document critically. For instance, the job not only required the intern to review grammar, but also to check the accuracy of the information stated in the report. The second important lesson was the importance of soft skills. CBBC offers unique exposure as it holds different kinds of events every month. In other words, if you wish to join, or are invited to the event, it is important to have basic knowledge of the China market and an understanding about what CBBC and related companies do.

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CBBC Shanghai

What was your most memorable internship experience? My most memorable experience was attending business meetings and carrying out interpretation for both UK and Chinese companies. My fluency in Mandarin came in useful as I gained exposure to high-level management. I had the opportunity to join a reception and interact with the UK delegation and representatives from some major Chinese companies at the Consulate-General’s private residence.

What did you enjoy about living in Shanghai? I chose Shanghai because its turning into a world-leading financial hub which offers plenty of learning and career opportunities. It was as fun as I thought it was going to be, from old Shanghainese buildings in Puxi to a new development area in Pudong; from scrumptious local Chinese cuisine to a wide variety of international food; from ancient heritage tourist attractions to a vibrant nightlife scene that bursts with choices of trendy clubs and bars; you can get to anywhere and everywhere with China’s superb and extensive transport system. Do you have any tips for future interns coming to Shanghai? I really like how easy and convenient it is to pay via mobile phone for everything you purchase in China. You scan QR codes of people you want to add on WeChat, the merchant whom you buy items from and of the bicycles you want to ride. It is fair to say that China is the only country in the world that champions mobile payments. It is recommended for an intern to get a local SIM card and apply for a bank account with a Chinese bank as soon as you arrive. You can request an activation of mobile payment feature with the bank once you get your bank account sorted out (which usually takes about 30 minutes in total). The ease of making payments also suggests a very high possibility that you may accidentally drain your bank account dry before it is a tad too late. So, a piece of advice for future interns — do keep tab from time to time of what you spend!

Kiko Yap (continued)

CBBC’s QR

Code

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CBBC Shanghai

Oliver Luen

Role: Editorial Intern

City: Shanghai

Duration: September –

December 2017

What was your background before starting CBBC? I originally came to Shanghai eight years ago, and after initially working as a teacher for four years, I decided I wanted to change my path. I applied for a postgraduate degree in Chinese Language and Culture and after graduating, I was keen to pursue a career in the area of international relations. I found the CBBC internship opportunity online and submitted my application. I feel fortunate to have worked at CBBC! What did you do during your internship? It was great to work with the staff at CBBC as I had the opportunity to edit documents such as Proposals, Quotes, and Final Reports, which gave me a great deal of insight into the business areas of CBBC. I also attended and took part in weekly meetings along with my manager, including those with Project Managers and client calls. Those interactions helped me to understand the proceedings and general workflow of the organisation. To add to this, I attended a variety of events and seminars that included a Lego training seminar with DIT and a Diageo Masterclass, in addition to high profile events such as the Best of British and CIIF. During my Internship I met so many different people, from simple conversations to going out for lunch together at local restaurants. Overall, it was definitely a rewarding experience getting to know a lot of the staff, participating in the events, and learning on-the-job. Additionally – one great thing about CBBC is that no overtime is usually required which means you can go home on time at 5:30pm!

What advice do you have for new Interns? I recommend being an active participant, learner and listener to make the most of this unique experience of being part of British and Chinese trade and international relations.

Oliver took part in the internship programme on a part-time basis alongside Chinese language study

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CBBC Shanghai

What was your most enjoyable experience during your internship? My most memorable intern experience was attending the Beer and Spirits event, held in November, which showcased a range of British beer and spirits companies that sought to operate in the Chinese market. Though I was helping out behind reception, it was enjoyable to take part in this friendly atmosphere and observe the exchange between the British beer and spirit makers and their Chinese counterparts, mainly importers and distributors. I also enjoyed taking part in the inter-consulate football matches on Tuesday evenings along with DIT. Despite my initial hesitance owing to a number of years away from the football pitch, it was too good an opportunity to miss!

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Oliver Luen (continued)

What do you recommend new Interns visit in Shanghai? Despite how busy Shanghai is, the convenience of the metro system makes it easy to get anywhere and visit multiple sites within one day. Shanghai attracts a large number of tourists each year, so for a first time visitor, I’d highly recommend two places; the bustle mixed with the tradition of Yu Garden, and the highly impressive skyscraper view from the Bund (even better at night!). Furthermore, there is a good choice of food in Shanghai, from the western-style food to the local Chinese food.

CBBC Shanghai

Mark Preen

Role: Editorial Intern

City: Shenzhen

Duration: August 2017

What was your background before starting at CBBC? My qualifications included a BA in Politics with Economics and an MSc in Development Studies. My previous work experiences included interning with the United Nations and the British Member of Parliament. By profession I’m a teacher, and my work experience also included teaching economics and business studies to students in Shenzhen. It was during this time that I became more and more interested in China and its economic development. I thought interning with CBBC would be an excellent opportunity to pursue my interest and learn even more. What did you do during your internship? I was mainly involved in copywriting documents, such as Quotas and Proposals. As part of this I participated in conference calls with clients. I also got the opportunity to get involved in a range of other areas and activities. For example, I helped the Shenzhen office organise an event on British education that was hosted by the Department for International Trade (DIT) which gave me the opportunity to utilise my education background. Another area that I got involved in was research, which I really enjoyed as it allowed me to further develop my skills and knowledge. I conducted research and made a presentation on the QianHai Industrial Zone in Shenzhen, which is one part of the Guangdong Free Trade Zone (FTZ). I also researched the Pearl River Delta region to produce an article for CBBC’s ‘FOCUS’ magazine. What did you enjoy about working for CBBC? Further to enjoying the research I conducted, I really enjoyed working with colleagues at CBBC. The staff were all very supportive and always happy to help me. I felt they really wanted me to get something out of the experience. I also really enjoyed meeting clients and getting a first-hand experience of doing business in China.

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CBBC Shenzhen

What was the best part about living in Shenzhen? I lived in Shenzhen for three years prior to the internship. Before I originally came to Shenzhen, I didn’t really know much about the place, except that it was a Special Economic Zone next to Hong Kong which had played an important role in China’s policy of ‘opening up and reform’. However, I soon realised just how important the city was and that it had lots to offer. Shenzhen is my Chinese home and I want to discover even more about it. I definitely recommend that Interns visit it. What are your next steps? I’m still working as a teacher in Shenzhen however I will stay in contact with CBBC ‘s Shenzhen office and continue to pursue my interest in China. The internship has provided me with a springboard to other opportunities and has confirmed my interest in China, as I am now considering doing a PhD on China’s economic development.

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Mark Preen (continued)

CBBC Shenzhen

To apply please send your CV and cover letter outlining why you would like to intern at CBBC, your availability,

and your preferred location for the internship to Ms Vikki Richardson at vikki.richardson@cbbc.org.cn

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How to Apply

We look forward to receiving your application!