On the afternoon of March 10, 2023, Sichuan University-Pittsburgh Institute (SCUPI) ‘s Career Advising Group (CA) successfully held a mentor sharing session with a packed capacity audience and a warm atmosphere.

CA team invited Ms. Liu Di, an Industrial Engineering majored instructor at SCUPI, and Ms. Ling Yue-wei, an Industrial Engineering majored student of the Class of 2019, who recently received a Ph.D. Offer from Stanford to share their experience in study, research, study abroad, and work to help students more comprehensively plan their academic and careers.

In Mentor Sharing Session

First, Ms. Liu Di shared her study abroad experience. After graduating from Beihang University with a Quality and Reliability Engineering major, Ms. Liu went to Clemson University in the United States for eight years. To better adapt to the English learning environment, consolidate her knowledge and build confidence, Ms. Liu chose to complete two years of postgraduate study and then pursue a doctorate.

Ms. Liu Di Shared Her Study and Career Experience

At the sharing session, Ms. Liu Di gave a detailed account of her preparation before going abroad, her interaction with her supervisor after admission, and her experience of changing her supervisor during the doctoral period. She shared her research and teaching experiences as a research assistant, teaching assistant, and lecturer at Clemson University. She advised students to be clear and definite about their goals and seize opportunities for self-improvement.

In addition, she also showed her various campus activities, academic conferences, and rich off-campus life during her study in the United States. She encouraged students to actively participate in local cultural activities and better integrate into campus and community life.

Ling Yue-wei shared her experience and suggestions on overseas study applications. She pointed out that before applying, students should plan according to personal goals and path, either prepare for the postgraduate recommendation, postgraduate entrance examination, national civil servant examination, study abroad, employment, or entrepreneurship.

If students are considering studying abroad, they should take into account various factors and carefully select suitable programs, as well as pay attention to important information such as resume and personal statement requirements, recommendation letter requirements, application deadline, TOEFL and IELTS requirements, advanced course requirements and suggestions, and other critical information.

Ling Yue-wei Shared Her College Experience

She shared her experience in three aspects: standardization test, contact with supervisor, and communication. In terms of standardization test, language test is an essential part of the process. Students should start preparing seriously as early as possible. In contacting the supervisor, students could decide whether to reach the supervisor in advance according to personal preference and show self-interest in the supervisor’s research direction and personal views on the existing research to make the application stand out and make effective interaction. Regarding communication, students should timely pay attention to the up-to-date information of the Academic Affairs Office of Sichuan University about the exchange program, dual-degree program, summer research, and summer school. In addition, Ling shared her experience in creating resumes, writing personal statements, searching for scientific research opportunities, and overcoming anxiety and stress.

In the Q & A part, Ms. Liu Di and Ms. Ling Yue-wei suggested that students should be less hesitant and communicate more with their career advisors. At the same time, students should hone the foundation knowledge well and learn to apply the learned methodology to specific research problems. Through this sharing session, students learned many practical knowledge and application skills related to college applications, understood the importance of self-planning in advance, and had new thoughts and cognition about future study and career planning.

From https://scupi.scu.edu.cn/en/activities/students-development-and-guidance-ie-instructor-and-prospective-stanford-ph-d-student-sharing-session