Zhangya Zhou

Describe your role and what it is that you do overall and on a day-to-day basis.

I joined the China office of Porsche Consulting, an in-house management consulting firm, upon graduating from SSE. In this role, we provide support to the management of Volkswagen in China, spanning across the group headquarters and all associated brands, such as Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche. Our primary focus is addressing strategic challenges across core functions, including strategy, product management, research and development, purchasing, and sales & marketing.

Our daily responsibilities encompass a wide range of activities, including internal and external status quo analysis, conducting interviews and presentations, facilitating workshops and prepare committee documents. The work environment is intense with high pressure, but it is also exhilarating as we encounter various new challenges and opportunities for continuous learning.

What interested you about the field/company/role you are currently in?

In the era of sustainability, we find ourselves at the forefront of an exciting transformation in the transportation industry, characterized by electrification and intelligentization. We are privileged to collaboratively engage with the management team of one of the most successful automotive companies, actively contributing to its strategic transformation. This unique opportunity allows us to participate in various pivotal discussions that shape the future of the industry.

The outcomes of our efforts carry significant weight, as they are highly likely to be featured in the news, creating tangible impacts within the industry.

Why did you choose to study your subject area at SSE?

I completed my Bachelor's degree in Accounting, and pursuing Finance is a natural extension of my skill set. The SSE Finance program is renowned for its practical course design and excellent faculty, adding to its strong reputation in the field.

How did your time / education at SSE help guide you to the career journey you have embarked on?

SSE has been instrumental in helping students like me pursue their career paths. I've had fantastic opportunities to connect with consulting professionals through events and coaching sessions. The strong internship support at SSE played a crucial role in directly guiding me towards a fulfilling consulting career.

Following the time at SSE, do you have any words of wisdom or advice you would like to share with our current students?

The world is like a vast dataset with discernible patterns and characteristics.
However, the individuals can either align themselves with conventional expectations, essentially lying on the regression line, or they can opt to be outliers, deviating from the norm.

What are three words that sum up your time at SSE?

Challenging. Inspiring. Entrepreneurial.