A Former Education Consultant, This Student Represents USF in China

Tell us about your internship.

I’m interning in the Office of Admission at USF. I’m an admission ambassador to China. I’ve attended eight college fairs in Beijing, Shanghai, and Changzhou to tell prospective college students about USF. These students are in international high schools. They come from China but also from Malaysia, Korea, Japan, and the U.K. My job is to match their interests to USF’s majors and programs.

Are you from China?

Yes, so I can relate to high school students in China. I share my experience with them. I went to college in China but I chose USF for a graduate school degree: MS in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. After I graduated from college I had nine years of work experience in China. I ran three educational consulting firms and helped hundreds of students gain admissions to top universities across the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia. So I feel like my enrollment here is a testament to USF.

What drew you to USF?

The diversity and the location. USF is the most diverse university in the United States, with a large number of international students. San Francisco is the world center of innovation. I think AI is the Gold Rush of the 21st century. I tell students in China about USF’s faculty and programs and campus life, but also about USF’s access to internships and job opportunities.

What’s next for you?

I’m interviewing for admission positions with several universities, including Santa Clara, Ohio State, Kent State, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida. I hope to land one of those positions. But last month, just after I graduated, I went back to China for four weeks to explore an idea that I have. In summer session at USF, we had a class called New Venture Launch, and my idea for a new venture is a nonprofit organization that protects animals. China is leading in manufacturing but lagging in animal protection. China needs a platform to help stray animals — adoption and foster care. That platform is my contribution to society.

Your advice to incoming students?

First, browse the USF website. You can find something interesting there. I sometimes browse the web pages of Asian Studies and the Center for Asia Pacific Studies and see what they’re doing, like having guest speakers on campus. Second, explore the city. After class, you can go downtown or go to Silicon Valley. Try to attend some Tech Crunch events or other events in the city. Finally, I really recommend that you connect with your professors. My professor, June Lee, encouraged me to apply for this internship. And Roger Chen, even before the semester began, he sent the whole class emails about jobs, job fairs, and things happening in the city.