June: Siwen An
Siwen studied in Beijing, Information Science and Technology University in 2008, and then came to Sweden as an exchange student in 2011 in Electronics design. She graduated in 2013 and went back to her home city, Beijing, China but came back and is now a PhD student since January 2018.
Where do you work now and how long have you been working there?
Now I am a PhD student in electronics design department at Mid Sweden University since January 2018. My research focuses on X-ray based measurement systems for environmental applications as. I use energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence to determine the chemical composition and especially toxic metals, such as chromium, cadmium, mercury, lead and so on.
Tell us a little about your professional trip
After graduated, I worked in a software company as a consulter for four years in Beijing. My former company is principally engaged in the development, manufacture, sales and service of public safety emergency response platform software and equipment. When I saw the PhD vacancy at Miun, I thought it is time to go back to academic. Since I have worked with the radiation group during my master program, I felt that this would be a great place to pursue the PhD.
How did you do to establish yourself in the labor market after your studies?
The labor market in China, especially in Beijing, is very competitive. Every year we have about 230 thousand students graduated in Beijing. There are more opportunities in big cities but also more competitors as well. A good CV, including education background and internship experience, will definitely highlight myself. I guess it is similar in Sweden.
What is the fun of your job?
My former job in company was fun because I met our customers and I can travel to different countries. I have been in Venezuela, Ecuador, Angola, for those countries maybe I won’t go by myself. It is so beautiful to visit the Angel falls, the world's highest uninterrupted waterfall. In academic work now, there is a joke, “theory is when you know everything but nothing works. Practice is when everything works but no one knows why. In our lab, theory and practice are combined: nothing works and no one knows why”. I think the fun part is to combine the theory and practice together, then we will see what will happen.
In what way did you get in contact with the labor market during your study time?
The development of the Internet makes it easier to search for a job.
What benefit have you had in the working life from your studies?
As a student, we usually learnt multiple skills from the university. Some are related to your career; others may seem less useful. For example, when you write you first work report, you use the knowledge from writing a thesis report from the studies. They are different but they also have some similarity. You are always learning and expanding your skills and knowledge. Another thing is to open your mind to those so-called “useless” skills. They may come in handy one day.
What did you think about studying at the Mid Sweden University?
The work environment of the university is different with China, here I feel more energetic and free. Mid Sweden University is a beautiful place where I get to know a new culture, make new friends, enjoy new experiences and gain new perspectives. The international environment makes students´ everyday lives quite interesting. I like studying and working here during the Masters’ program and now as a PhD student.
Can you give three career tips for students?
1 Gain professional experience through an internship. Trying out different fields and learning new skills is the perfect way to see what type of career path you’d like to take. Professional experience will better prepare you for the real world and help you figure out what you enjoy. So, be careful to select the right internship to help work towards your entry-level career.
2 Talk to recent grads. Use connections at your school to connect with students who have graduated and are doing well in the “real world.” They can share their experience and even provide some internship opportunities
3 Exercise regularly. After you start your career, you still might feel stressful in some situations. When you feel especially anxious, one of the best ways to manage it is by staying active. Exercise is not only advantageous for your body, it can have an impacting effect on your mental health.