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Nanjing: tips from Hugo, Soledad and Rym (Global BBA) on finding an internship after arriving in China
Global BBA students Hugo Batista Assunção, Soledad Di Fede Leon and Rym El Haouech went to the Nanjing campus with one goal in mind: to understand how one of the engines of the world economy works. All three, students at the International Joint Audit Institute (NAU–SKEMA), secured an internship in their field. What they share: they agreed to step off the beaten track.
Hugo Batista Assunção, business and supply chain
Capital of Jiangsu province, Nanjing is steeped in history and culture. It is in this setting that Hugo Batista Assunção, from Brazil, studies business and supply chain. He has recently joined a tech company in Beijing, Beijing Hortor Interactive Technology. His internship focuses on international market analysis and trade links between China and Brazil. “Being here changed my view. I discovered a country that is open, innovative, connected,” he says.
“Honestly, 95% of my applications got no reply […]”
He soon realised that looking for an internship in China with traditional tools like LinkedIn would not work. He then created an account on Boss Zhipin (a recruitment platform) and on Red Note (a social network). Within one to two months, it paid off: he signed an internship. The hardest part came next: visas, paperwork, delays. He managed thanks to support from SKEMA teams. His goal is clear: to become a link between China, Brazil and global markets.
I want to understand how Chinese companies really work, from the inside, not only their marketing techniques [...]
Soledad Di Fede Leon, the marketing experience
Soledad Di Fede Leon, a Franco-Australian BBA student, specialises in marketing. In China, she secured an internship in a Kering Eyewear subsidiary. For her, China is the natural next step in her path. The search was long but rewarding. Four months of applications later, the difficulty is clear. “Without Mandarin, without a local network, every application feels like a message in a bottle. Honestly, 95% of my applications got no reply,” she admits. Still, Soledad kept going and refined her CV with help from the Talent & Careers team in Suzhou.
The partner university supported her with the visa. Once there, she was not looking for just another marketing internship. “I want to understand how Chinese companies really work, from the inside, not only their marketing techniques.” For Soledad, China is not a backdrop. It is a learning ground.
Rym El Haouech, discovering Chinese financial markets
Rym El Haouech, a finance student, is aiming for Chinese financial markets. She joined an asset management firm in Shenzhen (next to Hong Kong), Qianrong Asset Management. She is interested in discipline, teamwork and the role of relationships. “My search lasted three months. I used WeChat, local platforms and contacts,” she explains.
The turning point came through a personal network: someone shared her CV, and the offer followed. Once again, the administrative steps were heavy, but SKEMA and the partner university supported her to the end.
Lessons to take away
Their paths differ, as do their goals, but the lessons meet. To find an internship in China, these three students had to understand how the Chinese market works. They also had to spot the right tools, adapt their CVs and activate local networks. To help them, they could rely on available resources: Talent & Careers teams, partner universities, SKEMA alumni and contacts on site.
