From Internship to Career: Young Professionals Building Their Future in China

You're doing an internship abroad, but what happens after that? A question which we tried to answer together with the FinnCham China (Finnish Chamber of Commerce in China) and the Sino-Finnish Centre, in front of young professionals who are building their careers in China and beyond.

Through a series of personal stories and reflections, the event offered attendees valuable insights into navigating international careers and making the most of opportunities in China. A big thank you to Timo Achterbosch (MSA), Timothy Man (MSA), to Kirsi Kettula (Aalto University), and Pascal MIAO (Valio) for sharing their personal journeys.

Timo shared how studying at Fudan University led him to build his professional career in Shanghai, while Timothy reflected on how his exchange semester at Shanghai Jiao Tong University influenced his decision to pursue a long-term path in the city. Their stories highlighted how early career paths are rarely linear, and how international exposure, curiosity, and persistence can open unexpected and rewarding doors.

It was great to see strong participation from the Intern2China community, reflecting a growing network of young professionals who have gained first-hand experience in China and are continuing to develop their careers here. Through the Intern2China program, we remain committed to supporting this next generation of talent!