Guestblog: How To Get The Most Out Of Your Internship In The Creative Industries In China
A Culture Steeped In Artistic Excellence
This is a guest blog post from Mike Hanski a freelance writer and a web content strategist. Outside of work he’s a fan of Bruce Lee (who isn’t?), books on history and sci-fi.
From The Great Wall To Man Made Robots
Artists of Chinese ancestry and influence have contributed great value and enrichment to the world’s arts and creative industry scenes for decades.
Whether these brilliant “shining stars” originally hailed from China, or simply have benefited from being immersed in the rich culture, heritage and traditions of this region, their international presence and artistic excellence is undeniable.
From the sage writings of Confucius, to the acting talents of Bruce Lee, and Fan Bingbing, to the installations of Ai Weiwei; they serve as inspiration for future generations of actors, writers, film-makers, and entertainers. They remain relevant regardless of one’s geography or ethnicity. After all, success speaks a universal language.
The Growing Interest in Creative Industries
For today’s student who aspires to follow in these celebrities’ footsteps, an internship in the creative industries is a wise and progressive choice.
According to a study by the British Council: “Media studies and the creative arts are becoming increasingly popular among overseas students, especially in China, based on a survey of 70,000 prospective students in 201 countries.”
The cultural industry in China includes advertising, art market, industrial design, fashion design, software, music and performing arts. The top cities for creative industries are Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Fuzhou, Chengdu, Ningbo, Kunming, Xiamen, Nanjing and Changsha.
Benefits Of An Internship In China
International work experience.
Working in the international environment is a great opportunity. During your internship you gain exposure to different people in various sectors and companies. It’s the perfect way to boost your communication skills and professional competence.
Additionally, some employers give special consideration to applicants who have worked abroad. It represents a win/win.
Below you can read more about some of the benefits an internship in China provides.
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR INTERNSHIP
Define your goals.
You should understand your area of study, evaluate your personal interests and strengths that would be useful in the company you are interested in.
The more clear your vision is, the quicker you’ll be able to ascend the ladder of success.
Apply yourself.
Defining your needs and managing your time, it all matters for your future success. When you have queries, go to helpful Facebook groups, or sites like Smartshanghai and Shanghaiist.
When learning season is high, get someone to cover your essay writings. When it’s low and you crave for entertainment, YouKu will give you a great selection of dramas, movies, and TV shows.
Establish connections
Find a mentor to benefit from the expertise of someone who has traveled the path you choose to pursue. Look for someone willing to share in your social media circle.
Moreover, you can connect with like-minded people and seek for offline activities with them. Also, don’t forget to carry your name cards to all social and networking events, as they’re extremely important in Chinese culture.
In Conclusion
As China’s creative industry is booming, there are more opportunities for the advantageous internship in it than ever. It’s the chance to get a unique skill set as well as the networking benefits from one of the worlds fastest growing markets.
Optimize your experience in the creative businesses in China with the tips from above so that your time serves as the foundation for a very successful and prosperous future career.
The Final Decision
Deciding whether or not an internship abroad is suitable for you can be a difficult decision, but the greater the challenge, the better the result. Interning in China is an experience for life, and we at Hutong School are here to help you all the way from when that little seed of curiosity springs, to finalizing your stay by finding accommodation and a suitable internship.
Already decided? Read more about our package deals and how to apply here: Interested in reading more about working in China, see our articles about Anastasija’s life-changinginternship, a written article from our own Hutong School interns, or how an internship can affect your future career.
