Building a Global Career: Graduating Senior Francesca Yang
Born in Rome to Chinese parents, Francesca Yang is a graduating senior majoring in International Business, with a minor in Economics. Francesca has recently been accepted to University College Dublin’s Smurfit M.Sc. in International Management.
Francesca Yang
What brought you to John Cabot University?
When I was in high school, my class participated in a mentorship program organized by JCU. We were invited to join several meetings at the Tiber campus, where JCU student volunteers taught us how to prepare for a job interview and write an effective resume and cover letter. The first time I came to JCU, I was fascinated by its diverse environment, with students coming from so many different countries, and its extracurricular activities, such as volunteering, clubs, and internships. Therefore, after my last year of high school, I decided to apply to JCU because I wanted to have an international experience.
Congratulations on your acceptance to University College Dublin’s Smurfit M.Sc. in International Management! What made you decide to apply to this program?
Thank you! I decided to apply for an M.Sc. in International Management offered by CEMS, a Global Alliance of leading business schools, multinational companies and NGOs, because it offers the opportunity to study in two different countries and to undertake different internship programs in well-known companies. I will spend my first semester in my host school, Ivey Business School, in Canada, and my second semester in my home school, University College Dublin, to complete my degree. I look forward to deepening the knowledge in business and management that I acquired at JCU, and to boost my skills to pursue a global career.
Since University College Dublin is a leading research-intensive University in Europe, what do you plan to research and what got you interested in this topic?
I would like to research entrepreneurial culture because it is an area that still needs to be explored to boost the economic development and innovation of a region. I got interested in this topic because I am taking a course with Professor Alina Sorgner called “Entrepreneurial Ecosystem,” where I realized there are several areas that future researchers are encouraged to investigate.
Dublin, home to global companies like Facebook, Dell, and Microsoft, is known for having a great presence in the business world. What are you most eager to learn from being in this competitive environment?
I have always studied and discussed these companies’ business models in my classes at JCU, but I have never visited these big-tech giants. Therefore, I would like to do an internship in one of these companies to acquire new digital skills, and to learn how their daily decisions are strategically made to compete in today’s market.
What are your plans after attending University College Dublin?
After my master’s degree, I would like to enter the consulting world. I would like to interact with clients from different countries and assess the business risks and opportunities for their projects. I look forward to working in an international environment and in a team-based organization.
Tell us about your internship in the Immigration Office at John Cabot.
My internship as an Immigration Assistant has been an unforgettable experience because I made so many friends and developed communication skills and learned what it means to work as part of a team.
Which classes and/or professors had the greatest impact on you at John Cabot?
All my professors have supported me in every step of my academic journey and even beyond. I would particularly like to thank three professors: Mary Merva, Alessandro Signorini, and Colin Biggs. Professor Merva’s classes (Finance and Economics) had a great impact on me because I developed my critical thinking and learned to always interpret statistics and facts with reasoning, leading me to acquire a data driven mindset. Professor Signorini’s classes (Marketing, and Social Marketing & Fundraising) have strengthened my ability to target the right audience to promote events, products, and services. I have been able to apply what I learned from his lectures when promoting club events at JCU. Finally, Professor Biggs has always encouraged me to think strategically to identify many opportunities in the dynamic international business environment. He has encouraged me to think about business ideas that are not only profitable, but that also have a great social impact.
You have been active in many extracurricular activities. How have these contributed to your personal and professional growth?
I am part of the Asian Culture Club, Student Government, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force, the Climate Countdown Committee, and Community Service. All of them have changed my personality. When I started my first semester, I lacked self-confidence and I was very shy. After joining different clubs and initiatives and meeting new friends, I became very outgoing and optimistic. Finally, I have learned to balance academics with extracurricular activities, which are important for my future career because of the soft skills that I acquired, such as being able to work in a team, communicate, and overcome challenges. I would strongly encourage all JCU students to join a club, there’s something for everyone.
