USC-PKUHSC Dual-Degree Graduates and Current Students Discuss Transition to OT Careers
February 10, 2023

Due to their unique experience in the USC-PKUHSC dual-degree program, the cohort 2 students who will graduate in August 2023 typically seek additional guidance in preparing for their return to China and planning their career trajectory. The hiring process in China follows a strict timeline, in which applicants have a narrow window of opportunity to apply for an open position, compete against all other graduating students across the nation, and undergo an application process that may include a screening, a written test, and one or several rounds of interview. To support the dual-degree students in this stressful process, the CI team reconnected the students from cohort 1 and cohort 2, and led an information session centered around their careers and post-graduate work prospects. The China Initiative team felt there was no better source of support than the cohort 1 graduates, who were in the same positions just a year ago and are all now finding success in China.

The dialogue began with the cohort 1 students sharing about their current work, including their roles and responsibilities. Dr. Chen Gong is currently preparing to be a post-doctoral researcher at Sun Yat-Sen University Affiliated Sixth Hospital’s Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Rehabilitation Therapy. He is planning to lead a research project that will run for the next two to three years. Dr. Zhizhuo Wang is now working as an instructor at Fujian Medical University. In addition to giving lectures within the General Rehabilitation department, Dr. Wang is also completing research work on the effect of exercise on musculoskeletal conditions, while utilizing and incorporating an occupational therapy lens and perspective. He expects to take on a larger pedagogy role in the future and will be responsible for teaching courses in anatomy and in occupational therapy. Dr. Luming Yang currently works as a therapist in the inpatient unit of Peking University 3rd Hospital’s rehabilitation department. Although her title is “rehabilitation therapist,” she utilizes her OT knowledge to treat people with a variety of conditions and actively advocates for OT’s role in her workplace. Dr. Ruisheng Yun also works in the PKUHSC healthcare system, specifically the Mental Health Rehabilitation Center at Peking University 6th Hospital. She is currently doing research and studying to pass China’s certification for psychologists. Lastly, Dr. Zhaowen Zhou is working at Jinan Medical University’s Department of Rehabilitation Medicine. She currently manages all the research projects in her rehabilitation unit and is planning to support the development of the OT program in her hospital in the coming year.

Following the discussion of their current work and responsibilities, the cohort 1 graduates shared about their experiences during the job application and interviewing processes. They reassured cohort 2 students that they are very attractive candidates to potential employers. They also emphasized that cohort 2 students would need to do their research and find what is available by going through the websites of each individual hospital, university, or clinic in which they were interested. Cohort 1 students also provided helpful information related to job hunting and navigating the interview process. They reminded cohort 2 students of the importance of paying attention to details, such as their background and lighting when doing an interview online. In addition, they provided valuable insights on how to communicate their clinical, research, and pedagogical backgrounds in an effective way. A theme that arose from this discussion was the importance of building confidence in their abilities, as students with a doctorate degree who had studied at two premier academic institutions.

During the dialogue, cohort 1 graduates reflected on their time at USC and how it has influenced their current work. They expressed satisfaction with receiving a diverse educational experience that allowed them to grow into well-rounded OTs who can work in any setting: clinical, research, or pedagogy. Toward the end of the session, cohort 1 shared the greatest piece of advice, from their perspective, “Enjoy your time at USC. It is a unique experience that offers plenty of opportunities to create meaningful memories and connections.” These positive sentiments resonated with cohort 2 students, as they stated that their anxiety about the job search decreased after hearing cohort 1’s reassurance. Overall, bridging the two groups by opening a meaningful and honest dialogue was a successful strategy in alleviating cohort 2 students’ anxieties and helping them navigate the upcoming job search in China.

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