[IBMBA] Joseph Chang Embracing Unique Opportunities to Impact One’s Career
Studying abroad offers a unique opportunity to gain both academic knowledge and real-world experience, and for international students, it can be a game-changer when launching a global career. Joseph, our former IBMBA alumnus, who is now an Associate Director in the Commercial National Accounts Group at TD Bank in Canada, confirms this with confidence. Having worked in banking across Asia and Canada, his journey highlights the importance of immersing oneself in different cultures, building meaningful connections, and embracing practical experiences during one’s time abroad.
Joseph emphasizes that international students should fully embrace the essence of living and studying in a different country. He states: “Immerse yourself in the locals’ culture and way of life”, because doing so not only enriches one’s personal growth but also helps one understand the professional environment in that country. This can be essential if one decides to work there long-term as engaging with the culture, learning the language, and understanding local customs can give people a competitive edge in the job market.
Building connections with peers and professionals is another key factor for success according to Joseph, because those we know today, can become contacts that can help us. The friendships and networks one cultivates while studying abroad can evolve into valuable professional relationships down the road. These connections can open doors to job opportunities, partnerships, and collaborations, both during and after your academic program. Nevertheless, one must remember and understand that developing friendships and approaching new people is not just about making contacts; it’s about building genuine relationships that can support us in our career, both in terms of opportunities and guidance.
He also stresses the importance of practical experience, recommending our present and future MBA students to take advantage of various opportunities to visit local businesses and participate in internship programs which our office also offers and recommends us consistently. Internships and business visits allow one to build a resume that stands out to future employers and gain insights into how companies operate, which is often difficult to learn from textbooks alone. For Joseph, his internships and early professional experiences shaped his understanding of the finance industry and set the stage for his career.
When it comes to transitioning from the academic to the professional world, he points out that the biggest challenge often lies in applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, adding that the skills one develops in the classroom may not always translate seamlessly in our workplace, where things move quickly and decisions have to be made fast. “It’s often the soft skills that you pick up along the way that are even more crucial than the hard skills,” Joseph adds. Skills like communication, negotiation, and teamwork become just as important as technical expertise in many professions, and these are things one often develops by working with others in professional settings.
When describing working in Asia and Canada, the concept of cultural differences in work environments is one that emerges, especially from the point of view of an international young professional. He describes the work culture in Asia as distinct from that in the West, noting that even within the same role, the expectations and working styles can differ dramatically. Despite these differences, the most important aspect to mention is that exposure to multiple cultures and work environments has helped him adapt quickly, understand diverse perspectives, and bring a global mindset to his work, something that’s particularly valuable in today’s interconnected world.
Another very crucial aspect which launches us into our future career are job interviews. Preparing for them is the first step into our journey. According to Joseph, the most important part of an interview, is the initial self-introduction. “First impressions matter,” he stresses. One should grasp this opportunity to highlight one’s strengths and set the tone for the rest of the conversation. Joseph suggests preparing an elevator pitch that succinctly sums up one’s background, achievements, and aspirations. When answering interview questions, he recommends using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, and Result) to structure your responses in a way that demonstrates one’s problem-solving abilities and accomplishments. Additionally, he states that is also crucial to research the company and role thoroughly, and try to network with someone in a similar role before the interview. In this way, preparation will help one feel confident and ready to engage in a meaningful conversation with potential employers.
Joseph’s own career path, from studying in an international MBA program to becoming an Associate Director in banking, is a great example of the power of taking full advantage of opportunities when studying abroad. As his journey and impactful insights show, with the right mindset and approach, one’s time abroad can be the stepping stone to a fulfilling and impactful career, no matter where that career may take you. Therefore dear present and future students of our MBA programs, believe in yourselves and continue fighting for better, always being on the lookout for the right opportunities which will certainly reveal themselves to you and will not only benefit your professional career, but also your individual inner development!
Written by:
Nerajda Mana, International MBA Programs Student Association Vice President