In order to provide more information and support for our students to pursue further studies at overseas universities, enhance their understanding of overseas Master's and Doctoral programs, promote educational exchanges and cooperation with the University of Delaware, and effectively utilize international first-class educational resources, SWUFE-UD Institute of Data Science at Southwestern University of Finance and Economics specially planned a series of "Faculty Keynote Speech" sharing sessions with the theme of "Preparing for Overseas Study". This series invited faculty members from University of Delaware to provide students with vital academic guidance and experience sharing, allowing students to learn about the experiences and achievements of outstanding overseas teachers in international backgrounds, scientific research practice, and cutting-edge academic fields. This broadened students’ international vision and professional abilities, and provides them with high-quality and diverse academic support for further studies.
Professor ZHANG Leting
"Leap in Practice and Research"
Professor Zhang is an assistant professor of Accounting and Information Management Systems at University of Delaware. She received her Ph.D. from the Fox School of Business at Temple University. Her main research areas focus on information technology risk, medical information technology, and digital economy. Her articles have been included in internationally renowned conferences such as ICIS and HICSS, and she serves as a reviewer for the top international journal Management Information Systems Quarterly.
At the sharing session on March 28th, Professor Zhang emphasized the importance of studying abroad for future life planning, and from her own experience, introduced how to prepare for studying abroad. She introduced two methods of information collection: external and internal. External information collection methods include browsing forums (such as ChaseDream and 1point3acres) and browsing official websites of intended universities; internal information includes considering the purpose and direction of studying abroad from multiple perspectives such as personal interests, skills, and industries. Professor Zhang also recommended her commonly used time management tools: TickTick and Notion, and introduced the Ph.D. program in the United States and research entry points in detail. She pointed out that research should begin with the determination of a specific topic, the research problem needs to have commercial insights, and then research is conducted based on certain research methods. In the Q&A session of the event, Professor Zhang answered students' questions related to studying abroad in detail, such as whether employers value college rankings or major rankings more, whether it is possible to take a gap year after undergraduate study, and whether it is possible to transfer majors as a graduate student.
Professor CAO Jinwei
"Introduction to University of Delaware's Master’s Program in Business Analytics and Information Management and Application Process"
Professor Cao is an associate professor of Management Information Systems at the Lerner College of Business and Economics at University of Delaware. She is also the program director of Business Analytics and Information Management (BAIM) at UD. She received her Ph.D. in Management Information Systems from the University of Arizona and joined UD as a faculty member in 2005.
At the sharing session on May 16th, Professor Cao introduced the course arrangement of the Business Analytics and Information Management program in detail, and answered questions related to visas and internships. In addition, Professor Cao gave suggestions on how to find a job in the United States, using Intel and other technology companies as examples of companies that require solid technical backgrounds for international students to find jobs. She emphasized that students' communication and English expression abilities need to be continuously improved during their overseas studies, and introduced the important role of the UD Career Center in the job search process, such as resume modification, interview guidance, etc. In addition, Professor Cao also introduced the application process for Master's degrees in detail, including writing personalized resumes, emphasizing unique skills and project experiences, submitting recommendation letters, and preparing excellent English statements to demonstrate good writing skills.
Professor WANG Gang
"Sharing Experience and Achieving Dreams: Master's and Doctoral Programs in the USA and Personal Career Planning"
Professor Wang received his Ph.D. in Management Information Systems from the University of Arizona in 2006. He is currently a tenured professor and the Arthur Andersen Co., Alumni Professor in the Department of Business Information Technology at the Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Tech, and also teaches at University of Delaware. In his 17 years of teaching experience, he has taught related courses for undergraduate, Master's, MBA, and Doctoral students and published more than 110 peer-reviewed articles in various publications. He is currently the senior editor of the Electronic Commerce Research and Applications journal.
At the sharing session on June 13th, Professor Wang emphasized the importance of setting goals and objectives for studying abroad. He pointed out that studying abroad is not just about obtaining a degree and finding a job, but also about exploring one's interests and development direction. He suggested that students should not be bound by exam-oriented thinking, but should find their true goals and interests. Professor Wang reminded students to first determine what they want to gain from studying abroad, and then choose a program and a university that aligns with their interests and goals. He also shared tips on how to prepare for graduate schools, such as developing strong research skills, reading extensively, and improving writing abilities. Professor Wang provided insights into the differences between Master's and Doctoral programs and the importance of research experience in applying for Ph.D. programs. He also shared his own experience of studying abroad and career trajectory and emphasized the importance of networking, perseverance and broad research interests. In the Q&A session, Professor Wang answered students' questions related to research methods, academic publishing, and career planning.
In conclusion, the "Faculty Keynote Speech" series provided valuable insights and guidance to students interested in pursuing further studies abroad. The sharing sessions provided a platform for students to interact with experienced professors and learn from their experiences. The series helped broaden students' perspectives, enhance their international competitiveness, and provide them with high-quality academic support for further studies. SWUFE-UD Institute of Data Science at SWUFE plans to continue organizing such events to promote educational exchanges and provide students with more opportunities for academic growth and development.
Editor: ZHAO Xiaoyu
Proofreading: WANG Binyu, LI Zeyu
