Name: Russell Brown
Degree: Chinese & French
Year of graduation: 2010
Current Job title: Recruitment Manager (Shanghai & Central China) – INTO University Partnerships
Background:
I am from the US originally but was raised and educated in England from age six. I went to a very sporty boarding school in Somerset and studied History, English Lang & Lit and French at A-level, actually arriving in Manchester as a history student.
Why Manchester and why languages?
Easily my first choice, the city – particularly its student-oriented nature, as well as the reputation of the university were the most important factors. London was too close to home, expensive and impersonal, and Exeter too small. I applied originally for history as I had no idea what I wanted to do and enjoyed it at the time, though changed immediately to languages as I’m not a keen reader, have always been interested in travel and other cultures, and had a friend doing Chinese at Leeds who is quite the salesman. It was the best and most important decision I have ever made.
Year abroad
I spent 12 months in Beijing and 2 in Nice, France. On top of the academic year studying Chinese at university in Beijing, I went out 2 months early for an internship to settle, get my ear in and gain some work experience before the semester started. This played a huge role in getting me placed in a higher-level class come September and kick-starting my language development over the year. In Nice I did a 1-month language programme and 1-month stage at the local Virgin Megastore. This was my least favourite part of my year abroad and mainly just highlighted that my French needed a lot more work.
What next?
Less than 2 weeks after graduation I went back to China for a 2-month internship working for INTO University Partnerships, which ended up landing me a permanent role initially focussed on student recruitment for our Manchester-based study centre. I’m now managing recruitment to all of INTO’s UK & US-based centres from Shanghai & Central China, and all education agency relationships within the region. My degree was immensely influential in getting my foot in the door as the company was looking for Chinese speakers who knew Manchester and had experience of studying abroad.
Where are you now?
Using my Chinese, based in China – and these were the two boxes I wanted my job post-graduation to tick. My role sees me travel extensively within China, with the occasional jaunt to neighbouring markets. Though Shanghai is technically now home, I spend a significant proportion of my time on the road, occasionally in the US & UK as well.
Do you still use your languages?
I use Chinese on a daily basis and as an integral part of my job, and French not at all. Though a shame to be losing a lot of my French, from day one I had always placed far more emphasis on Chinese and am thrilled to be still using and developing that skill.