Six years after Li Shushu graduated from UIC, liberal arts education still significantly impacts her career pursuit. After finishing her PhD in Education at the University of Glasgow, UK, she works in a Fortune 500 company back in China, having a big passion for further exploring liberal arts education.
Li Shushu
Contemporary English Language and Literature (CELL), UIC, 2015
MA in Comparative Literature at University College London
PhD in Education at the University of Glasgow
Employment: Fortune 500, pre-school education section, doctoral talent introduction
After the college entrance examination, Li found out two of her deskmates decided to study at UIC. Li learned that UIC was a university using English as the medium of instruction. Out of her great passion and talent in learning English, Li chose UIC and started her university life. This was where liberal arts education came into her life.
Li (second from the right) joins a band performance at UIC
Li never stopped her pace in exploring possibilities for her future career. During the holiday, Li used to intern in China National Intellectual Property Administration, Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum, Spring Airline, etc.
During her internship, her interest in interpreting arose. But her major didn’t offer the courses for interpreting training. So she started to self-study in her spare time. In her junior year, she passed the Shanghai Interpretation Accreditation in intermediate and advanced levels. Moreover, she challenged her linguistic limit while she was in university. Her multi-linguistic ability allows her to participate in many academic activities in Italy and Sweden.
Seeking for a higher stage
Li managed to carry on her post-graduate study in Comparative Literature at UCL in 2015. After class, she worked as a part-time journalist and covered public relations work in Kylin Prime Group. In addition, she was involved in reporting some major activities like London Fashion Week and the 11th Asian Financial Forum and the brand promotion activity hosted by William & Son and S.T. Dupont.
Li Shushu(left) attended her friend’s graduation ceremony
Li decided to continue her academic study at the University of Glasgow for her doctoral degree. She started to explore social work. From 1st year PhD time, she served as a counsellor in the imports and export of children literature section in China Youth Publishing Group (London).
Li (second from the left), together with her first doctoral supervisor (second from the right), second supervisor (third from the left), and some of her classmates, in Sweden for a seminar
Li (sixth from the right) in a seminar in Italy
Li (second row, third from the right) in a workshop in the UK
At the end of her first year of doctoral study, Li was awarded the Scholarship of China Scholarship Council and the University of Glasgow. CSC scholarship aims to build a platform for people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and other countries. In July 2019, as an overseas outstanding young talent, Li was invited to attend the meeting of overseas talents held in Chongqing, her hometown. Now, she is engaged in introducing doctoral talents in the pre-school education sector of a Fortune 500 enterprise in Hangzhou.
Liberal arts education is one of the reasons that Li attributes her success to. Liberal arts education encourages students to study actively and independently.
The excellent interaction between teachers and students in UIC is one of the most extraordinary things for her. Li holds enormous gratitude to her teacher—Dr Hari Adhikari. His guidance in Li’s academic life is beneficial for her doctoral degree pursuing journey. Li even met Dr Adhikari several times in seminars while studying for her PhD.
Li meets with her fellow students of undergraduate time after graduation
Li considers applying liberal arts education to all age education. She hopes that UIC students can gain a deeper understanding of liberal arts education and find their own ways to shine.
From MPRO
Reporter: Li Ruifeng
Editors: Deen He, Covee Wang
