Tang Yan is a graduate of the 2015 China-EU School of Law. After graduation, he worked in the legal department in a state-owned enterprise and later in the financial department of a large private enterprise. Unlike the majority of his fellow graduates who became attorneys and civil servants, Tang Yan has now gained experience in both legal affairs and financial affairs. In this article, he will share his career and life experience.
1. Could you please share your studying and working experience with us?
After the College Entrance Examination, I chose science of law as my major and English as my minor and kept Law as my major for my masters studies. After graduating from the masters, I was faced with the decision of choosing between work in the public or private sector and I entered into a state-owned enterprise engaging in international military trade and overseas security projects. However after two years of legal work, I was tired of the routine. I was ready for a something new, I wanted a challenge and so not only I changed my the work place but indeed changed my profession.
2. How was your time at the China-EU School of Law helpful to your current job?
In my opinion, with the rapid development of western society in the 21st century, the division of labor develops based on social prejudice is increasing with each passing day. If you want to work in the first-tier cities, then you need a stepping stone to help get you there. Generally speaking, the reputation of China University of Political Science and Law stands to students, especially when later seeking jobs in their relevant professional fields. The qualities that students accumulate in their studies such as independent learning and coherent self-expression will have a profound influence on their career life in the future. It has been suggested that when they are still in the school students should place more emphasis on improving individual skills and general attributes and less on their potential achievements after leaving education.
3. What do you think is the biggest advantage of China-EU School of Law when it comes to employment?
China-EU School of Law students learn to be diligent as well as practical. They have an ability to think from an international perspective, to withstand pressure and have a high proficiency in English.
4. Why did you choose to work in the legal department in an enterprise at the beginning? What is the difference between work of attorneys there and in a law firm?
I actually applied for an internship in law firms and in the legal services department of private enterprises. However, I suggest that students use their time during school to take part in various internships, and get a taste for the different sectors, as per the old saying, “the proof of the pudding is in the eating”.
Personally I feel that the profession of a lawyer in a law firm requires a more comprehensive ability. It can also be more tiring but will help people improve their professional skills more effectively. The content of legal work in a company is relatively simple. It is a supporting role and you are acting as a self-financing individual who manages the internal legal department of an organisation. I suggest that you choose based on your own personalities and preferences.
When I graduated from college, I began work in the legal department of a state-owned enterprise. It was a coincidence because I delivered my CV to different law firms and enterprises, including application for work as a paralegal, company legal affairs assistant, financial securities work, etc., but I did not participate in the examination of civil servants. Throughout this long job-hunting period, after a multiple written tests and interviews, I finally received offers from two state-owned enterprises, as well as the several law firms, and finally passed through this time of relative anxiety. In the end, I accepted one of the offers from the state-owned enterprise; the reasons for which are quite simple. First of all, the international platform they offer is quite good and overseas international business was also an area that I was interested in. Secondly, it is often thought that the life of a lawyer is too much stressful but during the interview, I could tell that the leaders in the department were very kind and talented. This is very important because these people my future employers and it is very important to have a good boss in your new company. Finally, the Beijing hukou, a privileged residency status, they offered to me was a very attractive factor.
5. How did you prepare for your job applications?
It is very much encouraged to submit many resumes. It is recommended that irrespective of the fact that law firms may or may not have open recruitment requirements, you should still try to send your resumes directly to the partners. The contents of your emails should be as honest, motivated, well-planned and modest as possible. Secondly, you must carefully prepare for the written test and the interview. When I was interviewed, I was not nervous but rather very excited. Do not be worry about making mistakes. During your employment, the company will evaluate your overall competency.
6. Could you please share your working experience in the state-owned enterprise with us?
My first job was working on legal affairs in an international plate subsidiary. The company is mainly engaged in military electronic products trading, urban public safety system construction, overseas engineering construction and other businesses in Asia, Latin America, Africa and other countries. The main work of the legal department is divided into two parts. The first is to closely adhere to the needs of the business in reviewing contracts, supporting business negotiations, conducting research on the legal environment of prospective host countries, participating in project review meetings, OA business process compliance reviewing and so on. I was charged with engaging in litigation, arbitration and other dispute settlement cases for the company,. During the two years I spent in legal affairs, I partook in four or five different international projects. I also had to negotiate with clients and with business staff. In the litigation area, I assisted with several major dispute cases to recover losses for the company, which produced tangible results. This yields a sense of accomplishment in doing the work you. It should be noted however that the state-owned enterprises of different industries have different projects for legal affairs.
In general, legal work is relatively stable and there is not too much pressure on performance. The work of legal affairs is an auxiliary department within an organisation for legal compliance. Grasping these keywords may allow you to gradually get a taste for legal affairs.
7. Why did you choose your current job? What are the differences and challenges in the current financial business compared to legal work?
Two years into work at the legal affairs department of the state-owned enterprise and the days were gradually becoming routine. For the people in pursuit of a quiet and stable life, this job is definitely suitable. However, I wanted to take another shot at something new when I am still young. So I joined this private enterprise.
Now I am working in the financing department of Huaxia Happiness, called “Encyclopedia of Finance”. Huaxia Happiness is currently mainly engaged in the construction and operation of new industrial cities and real estate development business. Unlike the legal department that engaged in legal affairs, the financing department is essentially a business department. It has a strict performance assessment system based on different kinds of figures and interest rates. It is very challenging because if you do not have your own achievements you might lose your job and income.
8. I have heard that you have been working in Beijing for three years, what is your current life situation?
I have been living in Beijing for almost 10 years since I was enrolled in the China-EU School of Law. It is such an important and precious time in my life. It is hard to describe. I went to school and then found a job. I even got married at the end of last year but I haven’t bought a house yet! Fortunately, although work is busy, I can spend my weekends with my family and get to go traveling during the annual vacations.
9. What else would you like to share with students in China-EU School of Law?
Finding what you are interested in and what you enjoy doing are the most important things. Once you choose a career, then you have to accept any results that may come with your choice. No one can think and decide for you. Think about this; Xiao Ming has to take an exam and his mother tells him the answers. When the score comes out do you think the results should be attributed to Xiao Ming or his mother? I think you know the answer.
Written and Translated by Huang Weijing (2017 double master sutdent)
Photo offered by Tang Yan ( 2015 CESL graduate)
