On June, 10, 2017, To Meet Better Yourself – In-depth Analysis of Financial PE Industry Development and Career Development Forum is held in Room 418, Shunde Building, School of Economics and Management Tsinghua University. Mr. Cao Long, Managing Director of Promise Advisors, Vice-secretary of Tsinghua Alumni Investment Society, Ms. Kuang Siwei, Partner of Lingfeng Capital, Mr. Chen Chen, Senior HR Supervior of CDH Fund, and other outstanding alumni of Master of Finance from Tsinghua SEM have participated in this forum.

Ren Hui, Assistant Director of Master’s Programs Office, expressed her heartfelt thanks and warm welcome to the guests and students. She said, at the end of four-year undergraduate study, it is of much significance to learn to begin the professional application oriented study of Master of Finance, and to be well prepared for the incoming professional career life. The purpose of this forum is to build a bridge between students in Master of Finance program and excellent Practitioners within finance industry, as well as outstanding alumni, for students to get a better understanding about finance industry, plan for more suitable future.

Then, the leader of the capital partner, Ms. Kuang Si Wei, shared the current development of PE industry in China. As a senior person working in PE industry for more than 10 years, she gave a speech to students regards to today's China's equity investment market size and structure. She believes that the actual size of PE industry would be greater than official figures, however, the effective size is much smaller. At the same time, the development of PE industry is closely tied to some social and economic factors such as population, industry, internet, consumption, economic structure, exchange rate. For instance, with the development of science and technology and globalization, the proportion of future foreign investment will increase. The emerging strategic industries such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), intelligent manufacturing will gradually occupy the market, which would bring in new possibilities for the development of private equity investment. But at the same time, the effectiveness of strategies will also be challenged. She also mentioned that there is a structural opportunity within current market, PE is an effective way of investment which will efficiently break the barriers between different industries and avoid potential loss comes with economic cycle’s constantly change. By choosing the suitable target, focusing on taking advantages of rational distribution and ecological chain will PE industry have a brighter future.

Ms. Kuang Si Wei, shared the current development of PE industry in China with MoFers.

After that, four alumni graduated from Master of Finance program shared their own experience working in the PE industry. Zhen Zhang, graduated at 2011, now works as a manager with XINTIANYU Capital Investment Company, shared his point of views on PE investment in medical industry. For those who graduated from non-finance majors, he also mentioned it’s important to focus on daily news, keep track of the changing world, and take advantages of market information.

Xiaodong Han, also graduated at 2011, now works for CHUNHUA Capital Investment Company as a manger. He mainly discussed about how to network in this industry and how to win reputation and trust from clients. Networking is one of the most important thing in PE industry, by efficiently networking with people, actively and warmhearted to help clients solve problem, getting to know more about your clients, especially their industries, will you be able to provide best solutions to your clients. By providing most efficient resources as well as opportunities to your clients, will help build a good business relationship with clients, which will directly contribute to your future success.

Langyu Liu, graduated at 2012, works for Everbright Holding Company as a large project fund manager, sharing his personal experience in transferring from investment banking industry to PE industry. He also mentioned his working experience in sell side was very helpful for him to get to know more about this industry and also helped with his current work in buy side. Yuqing Ding, graduated at 2013, currently working for KKR China as PE investment projects leader, talked about her experience in one of the best PE companies around the world. She also talked about several investment projects and post-management work, she also mentioned two core factors for successful investment, critical-thinking, goal-oriented, and independently thinking about management plans for different funds, rather than blindly follow hotspot. Besides that, four alumni all mentioned about how important it is to do networking, especially with people who graduated from Tsinghua University and currently working in this industry. Also, they mentioned about it’s important to be hardworking, be humble, be modest and be goal-oriented.

Starting from left: Zhang Zhen (MoF class of 2011), XINTIANYU Capital Investment Company; Han Xiaodong (MoF class of 2011), CHUNHUA Capital Investment Company; Liu Langyu (MoF class of 2012), Everbright Holding Company; Ding Yuqing (MoF class of 2013), KKR China are sharing their views with all presented MoFers.

At the end of the forum, Chen Chen, a senior HR manger with DINGHUI Investment Company, shared his opinions on qualifications to work at PE industry. Based his working experience, he suggested students who wants to work at PE industry should be capable of learning fast, communicating and networking efficiently, hardworking and being open-minded.

Chen Chen, a senior HR manger with DINGHUI Investment Company, shared his opinions.

Nearly 150 students in 2017 fall Master of Finance program attended this forum. In the Q & A session, students asked about the skills they need to work in PE industry, the development prospects within PE industry, and also asked about how to have internship experience in PE industry, they actively had conversations with alumni and others. The interesting discussions between them leaded to a warm atmosphere there.

Overall perspective of the conference

Writer: Liu Shutian

Translator: Xia Bingcong

Editor: Masters' Programs Office