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The Decade - long Growth of a HR Expert

May 19-2026   



Jiang Shan, a 2023 student of the Peking University - UCL MBA part - time programme at the National School of Development, Peking University, has had a remarkable ten - year career journey in human resources. His story offers valuable insights into professional growth, the impact of education, and adaptability in the modern workplace.


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Early Career Transitions and the Spark of Interest

After postgraduate graduation, Jiang Shan embarked on his career at a Fortune 500 company as a management trainee. Initially in the brand field, his path gradually veered towards human resources management. Despite lacking a formal HR background, his hands - on experiences kindled a deep - seated interest in organizational development and talent management. During his seventh year of work, a pivotal moment arrived when he joined a startup and began reporting directly to the business head. Here, he encountered a significant challenge. The traditional HR jargon he was accustomed to no longer sufficed in the business - focused environment. Business meetings revolved around sales and operation metrics, areas unfamiliar to him. This realization was a wake - up call, highlighting the need to enhance his business acumen.


The Catalyst of MBA Aspirations

This experience spurred Jiang Shan to consider pursuing an MBA. He saw it not merely as a resume booster but as a means to gain practical knowledge and foster communication with business - side colleagues. The Peking University - UCL MBA program, in particular, caught his eye. Its unique blend of Chinese - based business practices and Western - style cultivation of innovation and entrepreneurial thinking promised to equip him with a competitive edge in the market.


Overseas Assignment: Balancing Act and Enriching Experiences

Shortly after enrolling in the MBA program, Jiang Shan received an overseas assignment to London. Despite the demanding work schedule, he remained undaunted about keeping up with his studies. The flexibility of the NSD MBA program, allowing course deferment and timely credit - completion for graduation, provided him with the leeway he needed. Once in London, he was able to fully immerse himself in the UCL academic environment. With unrestricted access to UCL's campuses, libraries, and a plethora of online and offline resources, he found studying during his free time both convenient and enriching. This confluence of work and study in a foreign setting was a unique and rewarding experience.


MBA - Fueled Career Expansion

The MBA journey significantly broadened Jiang Shan's career horizons. It offered him a comprehensive understanding of the business ecosystem, empowering him to explore new roles within the industry. His previous concerns about being pigeon - holed in specific HR functions, such as HRBP and TD, were alleviated. The MBA experience instilled in him the confidence to proactively pursue career transitions and engage in diverse professional explorations.


Advice for Aspiring MBA Students

Jiang Shan has two key pieces of advice for those contemplating an MBA. Firstly, an MBA is not a conventional consumer product. It's an investment that doesn't guarantee immediate returns but equips individuals to capitalize on future opportunities. Secondly, while the initial adjustment period of combining work and study can be challenging, with time, one can find the right balance. The key is to recognize the long - term benefits and persevere through the initial discomfort.


Navigating the AI - Driven Workplace

In the face of AI's growing impact on the workplace, Jiang Shan acknowledges the widespread anxiety across all age groups. He subscribes to the view that it's not AI itself but those who can effectively utilize it that will gain a competitive edge. His company now places less emphasis on past work experience in a specific field. Instead, they value candidates' willingness to invest in self - development, embrace new areas, and leverage technology to drive work forward. This shift in recruitment philosophy reflects the changing dynamics of the modern job market. Jiang Shan's decade - long career growth, intertwined with his MBA pursuit, showcases the power of continuous learning, adaptability, and strategic decision - making in today's ever - evolving professional landscape.

The Decade - long Growth of a HR Expert

May 19-2026   



Jiang Shan, a 2023 student of the Peking University - UCL MBA part - time programme at the National School of Development, Peking University, has had a remarkable ten - year career journey in human resources. His story offers valuable insights into professional growth, the impact of education, and adaptability in the modern workplace.


image.png


Early Career Transitions and the Spark of Interest

After postgraduate graduation, Jiang Shan embarked on his career at a Fortune 500 company as a management trainee. Initially in the brand field, his path gradually veered towards human resources management. Despite lacking a formal HR background, his hands - on experiences kindled a deep - seated interest in organizational development and talent management. During his seventh year of work, a pivotal moment arrived when he joined a startup and began reporting directly to the business head. Here, he encountered a significant challenge. The traditional HR jargon he was accustomed to no longer sufficed in the business - focused environment. Business meetings revolved around sales and operation metrics, areas unfamiliar to him. This realization was a wake - up call, highlighting the need to enhance his business acumen.


The Catalyst of MBA Aspirations

This experience spurred Jiang Shan to consider pursuing an MBA. He saw it not merely as a resume booster but as a means to gain practical knowledge and foster communication with business - side colleagues. The Peking University - UCL MBA program, in particular, caught his eye. Its unique blend of Chinese - based business practices and Western - style cultivation of innovation and entrepreneurial thinking promised to equip him with a competitive edge in the market.


Overseas Assignment: Balancing Act and Enriching Experiences

Shortly after enrolling in the MBA program, Jiang Shan received an overseas assignment to London. Despite the demanding work schedule, he remained undaunted about keeping up with his studies. The flexibility of the NSD MBA program, allowing course deferment and timely credit - completion for graduation, provided him with the leeway he needed. Once in London, he was able to fully immerse himself in the UCL academic environment. With unrestricted access to UCL's campuses, libraries, and a plethora of online and offline resources, he found studying during his free time both convenient and enriching. This confluence of work and study in a foreign setting was a unique and rewarding experience.


MBA - Fueled Career Expansion

The MBA journey significantly broadened Jiang Shan's career horizons. It offered him a comprehensive understanding of the business ecosystem, empowering him to explore new roles within the industry. His previous concerns about being pigeon - holed in specific HR functions, such as HRBP and TD, were alleviated. The MBA experience instilled in him the confidence to proactively pursue career transitions and engage in diverse professional explorations.


Advice for Aspiring MBA Students

Jiang Shan has two key pieces of advice for those contemplating an MBA. Firstly, an MBA is not a conventional consumer product. It's an investment that doesn't guarantee immediate returns but equips individuals to capitalize on future opportunities. Secondly, while the initial adjustment period of combining work and study can be challenging, with time, one can find the right balance. The key is to recognize the long - term benefits and persevere through the initial discomfort.


Navigating the AI - Driven Workplace

In the face of AI's growing impact on the workplace, Jiang Shan acknowledges the widespread anxiety across all age groups. He subscribes to the view that it's not AI itself but those who can effectively utilize it that will gain a competitive edge. His company now places less emphasis on past work experience in a specific field. Instead, they value candidates' willingness to invest in self - development, embrace new areas, and leverage technology to drive work forward. This shift in recruitment philosophy reflects the changing dynamics of the modern job market. Jiang Shan's decade - long career growth, intertwined with his MBA pursuit, showcases the power of continuous learning, adaptability, and strategic decision - making in today's ever - evolving professional landscape.