On May 12, 2025, the 30th session of the SFS Career Planning Lecture Series, themed "Internship in Consulting Industry", was successfully held. Organized by Class 2119 (Master's Program) and supported by SFS's Career Development Studio and Graduate Student Union, the event aimed to enhance students' understanding of the job market and practical skills for internships and recruitment.
Guo Wenjing, a 2022-entry student of SFS's MTI Program (Japanese Interpreting direction), was invited as the guest speaker. She shared her cross-sector career path in consulting, drawing from her internship at a Japanese consulting firm. Guo discussed how to integrate language skills with business analysis in the consulting sector. Her presentation covered three key areas:
● Industry Fundamentals: Core consulting skills including rapid learning, logical analysis, data sensitivity, and cross-team collaboration.
● Competitive Edge for Language Majors: Advantages in cross-cultural communication, attention to detail, and structured thinking developed through language studies.
● Internship Preparation: Building an interdisciplinary knowledge structure (e.g., business analysis and industry research), and refining bilingual case interview skills.
Guo emphasized that the problem-solving nature of consulting aligns well with Japanese major's strengths in text deconstruction, detail orientation, and cultural empathy. She suggested acquiring business knowledge, creating practical experience through academic projects, strategically preparing for targeted internship opportunities, and revising resumes and interview storytelling.
During the Q&A, Guo advised students to identify transferable skills from research, analyze job descriptions, and gain practical experience through internships.
She concluded that consulting requires both strategic thinking and attention to detail. She highlighted the diverse skill demands across consulting fields: strategic insight, data analysis, or cross-cultural execution, and encouraged students to leverage their strengths when choosing specializations.
The session equipped attendees with practical insights to navigate career challenges and boost employability.
