On course for success

Chuck - Weijia Xu

Intern at a state-owned enterprise
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Applied Economics and Finance)

Weijia Xu (Chuck) came to Australia in 2015, and spent a year studying as part of the collaboration between Shenzhen Polytechnic and Federation Business School. In 2017, he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in Applied Economics and Finance.

It’s this degree that’s so important to Chuck: “In China right now, you need to have a bachelor’s degree to get a quality job. You won’t get a good job with an associate degree.” Previously, he had completed a diploma at Shenzhen Polytechnic followed by an advanced diploma of commerce, which is a joint program between Shenzhen Polytechnic and Federation Business School in China.

This partnership then enabled Chuck to complete his bachelor’s degree in Australia at Federation Business School – opening up a new world of possibilities.

On arrival in Ballarat, Chuck was pleasantly surprised: “They have the perfect system for the students – everything, the library, the gym, the swimming pool.” After life in Shenzhen, he enjoyed the peaceful pace of Ballarat and the savings he made – but would also spend the odd weekend taking in Melbourne’s nightlife.

While the degree course was challenging, he was helped by his course coordinator Gavin. He “was easy to get in touch with, and did lots for us. He would help us with any problems, and he knew how to solve things.”

Currently, Chuck is completing his management internship in China, at a state owned enterprise, and has a full time role waiting for him at the end of it. He’s sure about the path he’s on, and once he’s learned what he can working in government, entrepreneurship beckons: “Within seven years I would like to be running my own business, and running it well.”

The overall experience of coming to study at Federation Business School “opened a new area for me, I was exposed to different ideas.” Chuck credits his drive and enthusiasm to the teachers at Federation Business School. He said they “opened our minds to business. We were able to understand what we need to learn and improve for the future.”