On March 21, 2021, North American Jiangnan University Association, together with School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, held the first session "NAJUA Career Development Panel".The topic mainly focused on "Industry vs Academia: Which Career Path is Right for you?".The forum was hosted by alumni Yuting Zhou. Professor Youling Xiong of Kentucky University, Associate Professor Liu Yan of Michigan State University, Vice President Xingqiu Lou of Proliant Meat Ingredient, Co-Founder of Innovation Labs General Mills Wenyi Wang, and Yue Liao , Principal Scientist of Tyson Foods, shared their career experience, suggestions and relevant information from the industrial and academic fields respectively, so as to help alumni and students at home and abroad make correct career development plans.
The forum was divided into three parts. First of all, the five guests gave a brief introduction of their study, career development and research fields. Then, they launched a heated discussion on "The differences between the industrial and academic areas", and concluded that the differences were mainly reflected in the working groups, ownership of working results, degree of stability, independence and freedom of working atmosphere and so on. Finally, in the interactive link, alumni at home and abroad asked actively, pushing the atmosphere to the climax. Their questions could be sum up as "If I want to enter the academic community in the future, how to prepare in advance?" "Are there any interview skills when I am looking for a job in industry " "How to balance heavy work and life and make good use of time" and "How to get the opportunities for studying in the United States during the epidemic?",etc. The guests wittily answered and put forward all-round opinions on interview skills, how to balance heavy work and life, and how to apply for studying in the United States.
During the forum, we had a warm exchange. The guests shared the game strategy in their career path as well as discussing some technical issues such as CV revision and interview responses. Whether it is the details of job applying, or career development planning, alumni were unreservedly shared. To sum up, this forum not only provided students with a guidance to their career planning, but also strengthened the relationship between school and alumni, creating an interactive platform for alumni to give back and thank their alma mater.
Yuting Zhou is hosting the forum
Guests are sharing experience
Forum poster
