So, I have to wake up early, brush my hair, AND wear a suit?! I don’t understand. If you aren’t quite sure where to go after university life ends, you need to read ‘HELLO REAL WORLD! A Student’s Approach to Great Internships, Co-ops, and Entry-Level Positions’. Jengyee Liang, 23, authored this career book after experiencing her own struggles in getting that proverbial first foot in the door. Something must be working for her though, as she’s already landed multiple jobs at Fortune 100 companies, and says that you can do the same too with a little guidance in the right direction. Unlike other advice books for students, this one actually comes from the student perspective and speaks to the reader on a level easily absorbed. It’s a quick read and perfect not only for young adults, but for parents and career counselors too. Liang will be continuing her already successful writing career with plans for books on other life matters, but says that getting published is the most difficult part in this whole process; to us, however, looks like smooth sailing from here.
University of California, Berkeley, B.S. in Industrial Engineering & Operations Research, 2005
Work experience
Procter & Gamble, SBC Communications, Merck & Company, United Parcel Service
Ethnicity
3/4 Chinese, 1/4 Mongolian
What are your responsibilities?
Always writing, marketing my book, and scheduling and making presentations on student-related career topics.
Most notable milestones
Publishing HELLO REAL WORLD! A Student’s Approach to Great Internships, Co-ops, and Entry-Level Positions!
What’s your niche?
There are very few career books for student written from the student’s perspective. Students are busy enough, and they have plenty of reading to do for school. My book is intentionally a very quick read while still being comprehensive about the entire job search process and a great resource to refer back to later. It is an honest and thoughtful reflection of my experiences at four Fortune 100 companies. I believe my book is particularly insightful for students and their supervisors because I had the fortune and/or misfortune of encountering some disappointments that young professionals typically do not face so early in their careers.
Unexpected learnings along the way?
That writing is actually the easiest part. The challenge is in the publishing and getting the book to market. Timing can be unpredictable.
What’s in store for the future?
More books on life matters, not just career matters.
Who would you like to be contacted by?
1)My readers: the students, their parents/mentors, and supervisors
2)Anyone who works in media
3)University officials &career; counselors
4)Human resource directors at companies/nonprofits that hire interns or entry-level people
5)Other writers and their experiences
Never take things for granted. Continue improving yourself and have confidence in pursuing your dreams.
Guiding principle in life
If you do what you like and/or take care that your life outside of work is happy & healthy, other successes will follow.
Yardstick of success
It only matters if you think you’re successful. For me, it’s a daily thing. Did I do something that made someone else’s life easier?
Goal yet to be achieved
So many. Although I feel older than my age suggests, I know that I am very young, and I want to accomplish a lot. For starters, I’d like to have my own column in a newspaper or magazine. I’d like my book to be known by university career centers across the nation.
Best practical advice
Don’t be afraid to share your story and challenges and to ask for help. You’d be surprised how many people you know personally who have done something similar or encountered a similar challenge.
Supportive words from a family member or friend on your venture
It’s important to develop a thick skin, especially in face of inevitable critics and misses before striking successes.
Most memorable business experience
I continue to be amazed by the generosity of people and their responsiveness when I ask for help.
Mentor
Everyone, but my most notable mentor is Shirley Rivera. She owns he own environmental consulting practice. I was matched with her through the Student-Alumni Mentorship Program on campus, and it has developed into a great friendship.
What motivates you for success?
The desire to have a positive impact on others and the world.
Like best about what you do
It’s an expression and extension of myself and my ideals.
Like least about what you do
The nature of the work lacks structure, which is great most days, but can be intimidating at times.
At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be all of the following: singer, dancer, teacher, and mathematician. What has stuck? I still have many interests, and I want to do many things.
Biggest pastimes outside of work
Catching up with friends and being one with Nature: walks in the park, hiking, swimming.
Leader in business most interested in meeting and why
I am inspired by people who leverage their social status/wealth/fame for important causes.
Three interesting facts about yourself
I did a nonprofit internship at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland prior to college, gave a speech on renewable energies at a youth roundtable there, met the UN Director General, and fundraised $5000 in order to finance the trip. I didn’t learn how to ride a bike till age 21.
Three characteristics that describe you
Passionate, hopeful/idealistic, understanding
Three greatest passions
Relationships, anything I’m working on or involved in, the environment.
Favorite cause
The environment (& its interconnectedness with human rights and other social equity issues). Put another way, the health of all people and their habitat in a very broad sense of the word (spiritual, emotional, physical, and financial health).
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