Career Building Series: Conversations with EAP Professor Chen Chen 求职规划系列之学术英语教师
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The  last  interview  with  CBS  guest—professor  Chen  Chen  from  Xi‘an  Jiaotong Liverpool  University  in  China,  was  held  successfully  remotely  through  Zoom meeting, hosted by senior English majors Yue Wang and Ningyuan Wang.

The  theme  of  this  interview  is  “exploration  and  reflection”,  aiming  at  learning Professor   Chen’s   exploration   process   in   her   career,   and   encouraging   senior students to seek their own interest and career path by trying bravely and reflecting frequently. “Honestly, English study was not my priority when I applied to college. I  even  felt  tough  to  continue  researching  in  this  area  after  gaining  my  master’s degree. However, I switched my path a bit and found passion in doing quantitative research  in  English  teaching”,  says  Chen,  who  completed  her  MPhil  degree  in Cambridge University with distinction.

Prof.  Chen  talked about  her  campus  life  in  Cambridge  University.  “It  was  such  a  precious  chance  to  learn  in that beautiful university, what I gained from here would benefit me in a long term.” she said. Apart  from  sharing  her  experience  about  how  she  obtained  the  master’s  degree,  Prof.  Chen also  talked  about  the  difficulties  and  worries  when  she  was  facing  the  various  choices  of occupation. “As for my first internship, I went to a foreign trade company. However, I found that I was not suitable for this job and lost my interest after several weeks. Then I applied for being a teacher in a university. To be honest, to be a teacher was not my goal in college, but I am  quite  enjoy  interacting  with  different  students  and  witnessing  their  progress  now.”  said Prof.  Chen,  “Like  most  of  you,  I  was  confused  and  worried  after  graduation.  If  you  do  not have a clear orientation, you should try something and gain experience.” Indeed, exploration is indispensable for people to think things from new perspectives and gain new opportunities.

The Career Building Series (CBS) project is one of the most important projects in EH  495  Senior  Seminar  class  at  Brenau  University  in  2020  Fall  semester.  Dr. Wenwen Guo, the professor of EH 495 class, invited more than 10 guests in total from all over the world, to share their career experience and give advice for senior students. “This is the first time that CBS project has been initiated in EH 495 class. I feel so lucky  to  have  the  opportunity  to  interview  and  access  these  excellent  people, listening to their career experience”, says Ting Huang. “The project also broadens our  horizons,  practices  our  collaborating  and  communicating  ability.  It’s  a  very helpful pre-graduation project.”

Written by Ningyuan Wang (Julia) and Hazel Wang, posted on Sunday, October 25, 2020.